Master Social Worker - MSW

As a Social Worker with Fresenius Medical Care, you will provide psychosocial services for our dialysis clinic patients. You will work with the health care team to promote positive adjustment, rehabilitation, and improved quality of life for our patients. As well as support the clinic staff in understanding the emotional, psychological, and behavioral impact of chronic kidney disease on the patient and family. As a member of the nephrology health care team, you will assess the patients' psychosocial status, strengths and areas of need that may affect rehabilitation and optimal treatment outcomes as part of the comprehensive patient assessment. Collaborates with the patient and health care team to identify effective interventions that will help the patient meet rehabilitation, treatment goals, and improve quality of life. Utilizes patient education programs, established social work theory and methods, social work focused interventions, and quality of life measurement instruments as part of the assessment and care planning to address barriers and meet patient treatment goals. Provides monitoring and interventions for the patient to adjust to dialysis and achieve optimal psychosocial status and quality of life. Assesses patient knowledge of kidney disease for barriers that may affect adherence to treatment. Provides supportive counseling services to patients as permitted within the scope of their clinical training and state license. Provides information and assists the team and patient with referrals to community resources (home health services, vocational rehabilitation, etc.) to facilitate optimal treatment outcomes. Maintains current knowledge regarding local vocational/educational rehabilitation programs and assist patients with referral and access to vocational rehabilitation to enable them to remain employed, become employed or receive education. Assesses patient awareness of advance directives; assists with accessing advance directive forms/information and facilitates discussion of advance directive wishes, if necessary, with the healthcare team and the patient's family/support persons. Participates in the discussion of patient DNR status in the facility to ensure patient and/or family understand and make an informed decision about their care. Reports on quality indicators related to adherence, such as missed and shortened treatments, quality of life trends, and service recovery. Works with patient, family and health care team to provide education tailored to the patient’s learning style, communication barriers, and needs. Provides educational and goal directed counseling to patients who are seeking transplant. Facilitates the transplant referral process and collaborates with interdisciplinary team on transplant waitlist management. Provides ongoing education to patient/family regarding psychosocial issues related to end stage renal disease (ESRD) and all support services that are available. Reviews patient rights and responsibilities, grievance information (company and network) and other facilities policies with patient and/or the patients’ representative to ensure patients’ understanding of the rights and expectations of them. Provide training to clinic staff pertaining to psychosocial topics as needed.