Student Social Work Clinical Placement

Fresenius Medical Care•Roanoke Rapids, NC

About The Position

The student intern supports FMCNA’s mission, vision, core values, and customer service philosophy while following its Compliance Program, regulatory requirements, and policies. As part of the hemodialysis care team, the intern supports safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed social worker and helps maintain a safe, clean working environment. The intern participates in quality enhancement and continuous quality improvement activities, including initiatives related to patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes. This placement is an integral part of social work education. It promotes professional identification with the purposes, values, and ethics of social work; integration of empirical and practice-based knowledge; and development of professional competence. Field education hours are established by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Under direct guidance, the intern may participate in patient assessment, care planning, counseling, education, referrals, and related social work services. The Clinical Manager assigns and closely monitors intern assignments, with direct supervision from a social work field instructor (SWFI) based on the agreed education plan. The position involves desk and computer work and interaction with patients, facility staff, and physicians. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required; travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may also be required. The healthcare-facility environment has controlled air temperature and moderate noise levels, and may involve exposure to infectious or contagious diseases or materials. The intern may not work under the supervision of a family member or care for a family member who is a patient. If a family member receives care at the facility, the intern will be scheduled on days that person is not present or assigned to another patient. Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Work under direct supervision of a licensed social worker; assignments are closely monitored by the Clinical Manager, with direct supervision from a SWFI based on the agreed education plan.
The intern may not be supervised by a family member or provide care to a patient who is a family member.
Must comply with applicable regulatory requirements, FMCNA policies, and social work documentation policy.

Nice To Haves

Outstanding customer service to internal and external customers.
Desire to deliver superior patient care and embrace Fresenius’ mission and values.

Responsibilities

Support FMCNA’s mission, vision, values, customer service philosophy, Compliance Program, and applicable regulatory and policy requirements.
Participate as part of the hemodialysis healthcare team in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed social worker.
Help maintain a safe and clean working environment and participate in quality enhancement, continuous quality improvement, and patient satisfaction activities.
Provide outstanding service to internal and external customers; build effective relationships through timely communication; and respond to and follow up on customer service concerns.
As directed, assess patients’ psychosocial status, strengths, and needs that may affect rehabilitation and treatment outcomes.
Participate in collaborative 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 methods, and quality-of-life measurement instruments to assess needs, address barriers, and support treatment goals.
Provide outcomes-driven psychoeducational and supportive counseling concerning patient needs, treatment adherence, vocational or educational rehabilitation, quality of life, and transplant-seeking.
Assess awareness of advance directives; help patients access information and forms; facilitate discussion with the care team and support persons as needed; and provide general information about DNR orders and advance directives.
Provide information and assist with referrals to community resources, including home health and vocational rehabilitation services.
Provide usual care or Social Work Intensive services to address non-adherence and quality-of-life concerns, and follow FMCNA Social Work Policy and documentation requirements.
Assess patient knowledge of kidney disease and barriers to treatment adherence; collaborate with patients, families, and the healthcare team on education tailored to learning needs.
Help provide information about treatment modalities and, when delegated by the Clinical Manager, facilitate transplant referrals in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
Educate patients and families about psychosocial issues related to ESRD and available support services; review patient rights, responsibilities, grievance information, and facility policies.
Collaborate with the team on appropriate QAI activities.
Maintain knowledge of local vocational and educational rehabilitation programs and assist patients with referrals and access.
Understand FMCNA financial policies and collaborate with Financial Coordinators to educate patients about assistance programs, uncovered services, billing concerns, and financial responsibilities.
Work with administrative support staff to maintain current patient resource lists, such as transportation resources.
Develop and provide staff training on psychosocial topics and Ultra Care Programs as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.