What are the responsibilities and job description for the Master Social Worker position at Fresenius?
Purpose and Scope:
As a social worker at Fresenius Medical Care North America, you will provide essential psychosocial services to patients undergoing treatment, including in-center and home dialysis patients. You will work closely with the healthcare team to promote positive adjustment, rehabilitation, and improved quality of life for our patients.
Key Responsibilities:
- Patient Assessment, Care Planning, and Counseling
- You will assess patients' psychosocial status, strengths, and areas of need that may affect rehabilitation and optimal treatment outcomes.
- Collaborate with the patient and healthcare team to develop effective interventions to help the patient meet rehabilitation and treatment goals.
- Provide monitoring and interventions to support patients adjusting to dialysis and achieving optimal psychosocial status and quality of life.
- Offer supportive counseling services to patients as permitted within the scope of their clinical training and state license.
- Quality and Education
- Provide psychosocial support and/or Social Work Focused Interventions to address non-adherence, quality outcome, and quality of life concerns for all patients based on acuity level.
- Participate in monthly Quality review meetings with the interdisciplinary team, reporting on quality indicators related to adherence.
- Assess patient knowledge of kidney disease and work with the patient, family, and healthcare team to provide education tailored to the patient's learning style, communication barriers, and needs.
- Patient Admission and Continuity of Care
- Review Patient Rights and Responsibilities, Grievance Procedure & Important Numbers Handout, FKC Non-discrimination policy, DNR Statement (if applicable) and address any immediate needs/concerns.
- Support the clinic in scheduling to maximize adherence and adjustment.
- Interview patients to identify root causes or concerns for discharge requests and share causes/concerns with operational leadership.
- Insurance and Financial Assistance
- Collaborate with Insurance Coordinators to address issues related to insurance.
- Provide information and education to patients about payment to dialysis (federal, state, commercial insurance, state renal programs, AKF HIPP, and entitlement programs).
- Refer patients to patient billing solutions (PBS) department for questions/concerns regarding treatment-related bills.
- Staff-Related Duties
- Assist with interview process and decision to hire new personnel if requested by SW Manager/Senior Manager.
- Work with administrative support staff to maintain updated patient resource lists.
- Provide training to staff pertaining to psychosocial topics as needed.
- Contribute and participate with weekly team huddles, discussing urgent patient issues with staff.
- Requirements and Credentials:
- Masters in Social Work
- State required license
- Meets the applicable scope of practice board and licensure requirements in effect in the State in which they are employed
- Experience and Skills:
- 0 – 2 years' related experience
