Part Time Social Worker (MSW)

Fresenius Medical Care•Auburn, ME

About The Position

Provides psychosocial services to in-center and home dialysis patients, as applicable, using social work theory and accepted methods of social work practice. Works with the healthcare team to promote positive adjustment, rehabilitation, and improved quality of life. Supports staff in understanding the emotional, psychological, and behavioral effects of chronic kidney disease on patients and families. Participates in quality indicator, outcome, assessment, improvement, and process-improvement activities. As part of the interdisciplinary team, assesses patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs; collaborates on care planning; provides monitoring and counseling within the scope of clinical training and state licensure; and helps patients access community, vocational, educational, and other resources. Supports patient education and treatment adherence, transplant referral and waitlist management, advance-care planning discussions, and continuity of care. Also contributes to quality reviews, insurance and financial assistance coordination, staff education, team huddles, and other assigned duties. Travel may be required if the role covers multiple facilities.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs as part of comprehensive patient assessment.
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 interventions, and quality-of-life measures to address barriers and support treatment goals.
Monitor patients’ adjustment to dialysis and provide supportive counseling within the scope of clinical training and state license.
Provide goal-directed counseling and education 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.
Support advance-directive awareness and access to information, and facilitate discussions with the healthcare team and family or support persons when needed.
Participate with physicians and nurses in discussions of patient DNR status to support informed decisions.
Document patient and family interactions and interventions in accordance with applicable policies.
Provide psychosocial support and focused interventions addressing adherence, quality outcomes, and quality-of-life concerns.
Participate in monthly interdisciplinary quality reviews and report relevant indicators, including missed or shortened treatments, quality-of-life trends, and service recovery.
Assess patients’ kidney-disease knowledge and tailor education to learning style, communication barriers, and individual needs.
Provide information about treatment modalities, ESRD-related psychosocial issues, and available support services.
Review patient rights and responsibilities, grievance information, and facility policies with patients or their representatives.
Participate in appropriate quality assessment and improvement activities.
Review admission materials 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 causes or concerns and share them with operational leadership.
Liaise with insurance coordinators and provide information about dialysis payment and assistance programs.
Inform insurance coordinators of patient-status changes that may affect coverage, and refer billing questions to the patient billing solutions department.
Assist with hiring interviews and decisions if requested by the Social Work Manager or Senior Manager.
Help 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.
Perform other related duties as assigned.