Medical Social Worker

Fresenius Medical Care•Martinsville, VA

13d

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to in-center and home dialysis patients, as applicable, using social work theory and accepted practice methods. Works with the healthcare team to promote patients’ adjustment, rehabilitation, and quality of life, and helps staff understand the emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of Chronic Kidney Disease on patients and families. Supports quality indicators, outcomes, patient satisfaction, quality of life, and process-improvement activities. As an interdisciplinary team member, assesses patients’ psychosocial status and needs, participates in care planning, provides supportive and goal-directed counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure, and helps patients access community, vocational, educational, and other resources. Provides education about kidney disease, treatment modalities, transplant, psychosocial concerns, patient rights, and available support services. Supports patient admission and continuity of care, including addressing discharge concerns, and collaborates with insurance coordinators on coverage and payment resources. The role also contributes to quality reviews, staff education, team huddles, and maintenance of patient resource lists. The position has no supervisory responsibilities. Travel is required if multiple facilities are assigned. A Master of Social Work and state-required license are required, along with 2–5 years of related experience. The stated annual pay range is $51,000–$85,000, depending on work location and qualifications. The position offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and parental leave.

Requirements

Master of Social Work.
State-required license.
2–5 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs that may affect rehabilitation and treatment outcomes.
Collaborate with patients and the healthcare team on care planning and effective interventions to meet treatment goals and improve quality of life.
Use patient education programs, social work methods, focused interventions, and quality-of-life measures in assessment and care planning.
Monitor patients’ adjustment to dialysis and provide interventions to support psychosocial status and quality of life.
Provide supportive counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure, and goal-directed counseling for patients seeking transplant.
Refer patients to community resources, including home health services and vocational or educational rehabilitation programs.
Assess awareness of advance directives, provide access to information and forms, and facilitate discussion of patients’ wishes when needed.
Participate with physicians and nurses in discussions of patient DNR status to support informed decisions.
Document social work interactions and interventions in accordance with applicable policies.
Provide psychosocial support and focused interventions addressing non-adherence, quality outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns.
Participate in monthly interdisciplinary quality-review meetings and report on adherence, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery indicators.
Assess patients’ kidney disease knowledge and barriers to treatment adherence, and provide education tailored to their learning and communication needs.
Provide information about treatment modalities and coordinate transplant referrals and waitlist management with the interdisciplinary team.
Educate patients and families about ESRD-related psychosocial issues 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.
Review admission-related information and address immediate patient needs or concerns.
Support scheduling and the referral and admission process to promote adherence and adjustment.
Interview patients requesting discharge to identify underlying concerns and share them with operational leadership.
Collaborate with insurance coordinators to address insurance issues and educate patients about dialysis payment and assistance programs.
Notify insurance coordinators of patient changes that may affect coverage, such as transplantation, discharge, loss of coverage, or extended travel.
Refer patients to the patient billing solutions department for treatment-bill questions or concerns.
Assist with interviewing and hiring decisions for new personnel 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, participate in weekly team huddles, and discuss urgent patient issues with staff.
Follow caseload guidelines based on state regulatory requirements.
Perform other related duties as assigned.