Master Social Worker - MSW

Fresenius Medical Care•AZ097 Granite Valley JV - Clinic, AZ

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to patients treated by the facility, including in-center and home dialysis patients when applicable. Applies social work theory and accepted practice methods to promote positive adjustment, rehabilitation, and improved quality of life. Works with the healthcare team to support understanding of the emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of chronic kidney disease on patients and families, and contributes to comprehensive, quality care. Supports quality indicators, outcomes, quality assessment and improvement activities, patient satisfaction, and process improvement efforts.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work.
State-required license.
2–5 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs as part of comprehensive patient assessments.
Collaborate with patients and the healthcare team on care planning and interventions to support rehabilitation, treatment goals, and quality of life.
Use patient education programs, social work methods, focused interventions, and quality-of-life measurement tools to address barriers and support treatment goals.
Monitor patients and provide interventions to support adjustment to dialysis and optimal psychosocial status.
Provide supportive counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure, and goal-directed education and counseling for patients seeking transplantation.
Provide information and referrals to community resources, including home health and vocational rehabilitation services.
Maintain knowledge of local vocational and educational rehabilitation resources and assist patients with referrals and access.
Assess patient awareness of advance directives and assist with information, forms, and discussions involving the care team and family or support persons.
Participate with the physician and nurse in discussions of patient DNR status to support informed decisions by patients and families.
Follow applicable social work and patient-function policies, including documentation requirements; document interactions and interventions.
Provide psychosocial support and focused interventions addressing non-adherence, quality outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns according to patient acuity.
Participate in monthly interdisciplinary quality review meetings and report on adherence indicators, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery.
Assess patient knowledge of kidney disease and barriers to treatment adherence; coordinate tailored education with patients, families, and the healthcare team.
Provide information about treatment modalities and facilitate transplant referrals and waitlist management with the interdisciplinary team.
Educate patients and families about psychosocial issues related to ESRD and available support services.
Review patient rights and responsibilities, grievance information, and facility policies with patients or their representatives.
Collaborate with the team on quality assessment and improvement activities.
At admission, review patient rights and responsibilities, grievance procedures and contact information, non-discrimination policy, DNR statement when applicable, and immediate needs or concerns.
Support referral and admission processes, including scheduling needs that may affect adherence and adjustment.
Interview patients requesting discharge to identify underlying concerns and share them with operational leadership.
Liaise with insurance coordinators to address patient insurance issues and provide information about dialysis payment and assistance programs.
Inform the insurance coordinator of patient status changes that may affect coverage, such as transplantation, discharge, loss of coverage, or extended travel.
Refer patients with treatment-bill questions or concerns to the patient billing solutions department.
Assist with staff interviews and hiring decisions when requested by the social work manager or senior manager.
Work with administrative support staff to keep patient resource lists current.
Provide staff training on psychosocial topics as needed and participate in weekly team huddles, discussing urgent patient issues.
Adhere to caseload guidelines based on state regulatory requirements.
Perform other related duties as assigned.