Prelicensed Social Worker

Fresenius Medical Care•Casselberry, FL

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to patients receiving in-center and, where applicable, home dialysis. Works with the healthcare team to promote 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 efforts, and process improvement activities. This is an entry-level MSW role. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the Social Worker assesses patients’ psychosocial status and needs, contributes to care planning, provides counseling and education within the scope of clinical training and state licensure, and connects patients with community and rehabilitation resources. The role supports patients’ adjustment to dialysis, transplant-related education and referrals, advance-care planning discussions, adherence, and continuity of care. The Social Worker also helps patients understand treatment options, rights and responsibilities, grievance procedures, insurance and financial assistance resources, and available psychosocial support. The role collaborates with insurance coordinators, administrative staff, and clinical and operational colleagues; participates in quality reviews and team huddles; and provides staff training on psychosocial topics as needed. State licensure and supervision requirements apply, and the employee must obtain the necessary licensure to work independently within the first two years or as required by state guidelines.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work.
State temporary license, Registered Social Worker Clinical Intern credential, Associate Social Work license, or Provisional LCSW license, if required by the state.
Obtain the necessary state licensure to work independently without supervision within the first two years or as required by state guidelines.
0–2 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 plans and interventions to support treatment goals and quality of life.
Use patient education programs, social work methods, focused interventions, and quality-of-life measurement instruments 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.
Provide education and goal-directed counseling to patients seeking transplant; facilitate transplant referrals and collaborate on waitlist management.
Refer patients to community resources, including home health and vocational or educational rehabilitation services.
Assess awareness of advance directives, help patients access information and forms, and facilitate discussions with patients, families, and the healthcare team as needed.
Participate with physicians and nurses in discussions of patient DNR status to support informed decisions.
Document social work interactions and interventions and comply with applicable social work and patient-function policies.
Provide psychosocial support and focused interventions addressing non-adherence, quality outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns.
Participate in monthly quality review meetings and report quality indicators related to adherence, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery.
Assess patients’ knowledge of kidney disease and provide education tailored to their learning styles, communication barriers, and needs.
Provide information about treatment modalities and psychosocial issues related to ESRD and available support services.
Review patient rights and responsibilities, grievance information, and facility policies with patients or representatives.
Review admission-related rights, grievance procedures, non-discrimination policy, and DNR information when applicable, and address immediate concerns.
Support patient scheduling and clinic admission processes to promote adherence and adjustment.
Interview patients requesting discharge to identify concerns and share them with operational leadership.
Liaise with insurance coordinators regarding insurance issues and educate patients about payment and assistance programs.
Notify insurance coordinators of patient status changes that may affect insurance, including transplantation, discharge, coverage loss, or extended travel.
Refer treatment-billing questions or concerns to the patient billing solutions department.
Assist with personnel interviews and hiring decisions when requested by the Social Work Manager or Senior Manager.
Work with administrative staff to maintain current patient resource lists, including transportation resources.
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 and work under appropriate supervision where required by state law.
Perform other related duties as assigned.