Prelicensed Social Worker

Fresenius Medical Care•Detroit, MI

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to patients receiving in-center and home dialysis, as applicable, using social work theory and accepted social work practice methods. Works with the healthcare team to support patients’ adjustment, rehabilitation, and quality of life. In collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, educates and supports staff in understanding the emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of chronic kidney disease on patients and families. Supports quality indicators, outcomes, quality assessment and improvement activities, patient satisfaction, and quality of life. This is an entry-level MSW role. The Social Worker assesses psychosocial status, strengths, and needs; participates in care planning; provides counseling and social work interventions within the scope of clinical training and state licensure; and connects patients with community, vocational, educational, transplant, and other support resources. The role includes patient and family education about kidney disease, dialysis treatment options, transplant, patient rights, advance directives, and available services. The Social Worker also contributes to quality reviews, admission and continuity-of-care processes, insurance and financial assistance coordination, staff support and training, team huddles, and related duties. Travel may be required when supporting multiple facilities. This position has no supervisory responsibilities. The employee must hold a Master of Social Work degree and the applicable temporary, intern, associated, or provisional state credential. Necessary state licensure to work independently without supervision must be obtained within two years or as required by state guidelines. The role requires 0–2 years of related experience.

Requirements

Master of Social Work degree.
State temporary license, Registered Social Worker Clinical Intern credential, Associated Social Work license, or Provisional LCSW License, if required by the state.
Obtain the state licensure necessary 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 as part of the comprehensive patient assessment.
Participate in care planning with patients and the healthcare team to identify interventions supporting rehabilitation, treatment goals, and quality of life.
Use patient education programs, social work theory and methods, focused interventions, and quality-of-life measures to address barriers and treatment goals.
Monitor and intervene to support patients’ adjustment to dialysis and psychosocial well-being.
Provide supportive counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure, and goal-directed education and counseling for patients seeking transplant.
Provide information and referrals to community resources, including home health services and vocational rehabilitation.
Maintain knowledge of local vocational and educational rehabilitation programs and assist patients with referrals and access.
Assess patients’ awareness of advance directives; assist with forms and information and facilitate discussions with the healthcare team and family or support persons as needed.
Participate with the physician and nurse in discussions of patient DNR status to support informed decisions by patients and/or families.
Follow FMCNA social work and patient physical and mental function policies, including documentation; document interactions and interventions with patients and/or families.
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 indicators such as missed or shortened treatments, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery.
Assess patient knowledge of kidney disease and barriers to treatment adherence; provide education tailored to learning style, communication barriers, and needs.
Provide information about treatment modalities and support the transplant referral process 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 and/or representatives.
Collaborate with the team on quality assessment and improvement activities.
Review admission materials and policies with patients and address immediate needs or concerns.
Support clinic scheduling and patient needs during referral and admission processes to promote adherence and adjustment.
Interview patients requesting discharge to identify causes or concerns and share them with operational leadership.
Liaise with Insurance Coordinators on patient insurance issues and provide information about dialysis payment and assistance programs in collaboration with them.
Inform the Insurance Coordinator of patient status changes that may affect insurance, and refer treatment-bill questions or concerns to Patient Billing Solutions.
Assist with interviewing and hiring decisions for new personnel if requested by the SW Manager or Senior Manager.
Work with administrative support staff to maintain current patient resource lists, such as 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.
Perform other related duties as assigned.