Dialysis / Nephrology Social Worker (SW)
Doral Dialysis Center is seeking a Nephrology Social Worker to join our team.
Main Functions:
Nephrology social work services support and maximize psychosocial functioning and adjustment of patients who are experiencing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and their families.
These services are provided to ameliorate social and emotional stresses resulting from the interacting physical, social, and psychological concomitants of ESRD, including shortened life expectancy; altered lifestyle with changes in social, financial, vocational, and sexual functioning; and the demands of a rigorous, time-consuming, and complex treatment regimen.
Social work functions are a part of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and are responsible for fostering a positive treatment environment policy and routines that are attuned to cultural, religious, and ethnic differences among patients and families and show respect for the individuality, independence, and choice of each patient.
Essential Job Functions:
1. Conduct initial patient psychosocial assessment and comprehensive plan of care as well as prepare appropriate documentation for review by the interdisciplinary team.
2. Provide support, information, and assistance in treatment planning.
3. Develop and continue to monitor psychosocial goals for plan of care.
4. Counsel new patients and families on pre-dialysis education, including treatment options (e.g. transplantation).
5. Act as an advocate on behalf of the patient and family.
6. Complete and document initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments, evaluations and quarterly notes, along with documenting and monitoring ongoing psychosocial issues and patient goals and readjust when goals are not met.
7. Notify the interdisciplinary team of patient psychosocial issues affecting treatment.
8. Facilitate and/or refer patients and families to support/education groups, whenever possible.
9. Facilitate education on Advance Directives and treatment modalities.
10. Coordinate and participate in patient/family care conferences with interdisciplinary team.
11. Analyze and provide information and facilitate referrals to community, private, state and federal agencies based on psychosocial need (e.g. financial programs, medication assistance programs, Vocational Rehabilitation Programs, transportation resources, mental health and chemical dependency resources and home health/homemaking agencies.)
12. Provide crisis intervention expertise as necessary.
13. Provide assistance to patient and family in adjusting to dialysis and altered life-style, and provide resource information.
14. Arranges patient travel arrangements for both guest and permanent patients and ensure completion of arrangements.
15. Coordinates patient transfers/ visit to other facilities.
16. Assistance regarding health insurance:
17. Comply with policy and procedures and in accordance with state and federal regulations for patient care and services. (Medicare, OSHA, OIG, or other governing agencies)
18. Maintain patient confidentiality.
19. Participate in QAPI teams, facility team meetings, and in-services.
20. Administer patient quality care in a considerate, respectful manner.
21. Communicate with ESRD Network
22. Complete and submit all ESRD Network reporting requirements. (CROWNWEB, QIPS)
23. Distribute and collection of patient satisfaction survey and KDQOL data input and analyzing data.
24. Coordinate and arrange for annual CAHPS survey.
Standards of Caring Behavior:
1. On all occasions, to approach the patients, families and all visitors in a courteous, friendly manner with respect to their rights and concerns.
2. To reduce patients, families and visitors anxieties by introducing self, explaining all procedures and possible delays in schedule, orienting them to the facility, and maintaining a neat, professional appearance.
3. To converse with patients and their families to ascertain any specific problems that need attention and refers them to appropriate sources when indicated: i.e. Physician, Administrator, Nurse, Dietitian and Social Worker.
4. To maintain the confidentiality and privacy of all patients by providing an area for confidential conversation and screening when necessary.
5. In general, demonstrates Caring Behaviors through making eye contact, smiling, initiating conversation and sharing a genuine concern for the situation.
Physical, Emotional and Sensory Requirements:
1. Must be able to cope with mental and emotional stress of the position.
2. Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity and the ability to work effectively with the patients, staff, family members, visitors and support regulatory agencies.
3. Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
4. Must demonstrate a caring attitude and be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at time hostile people within the facility.
5. Must adhere to dress code and maintain a high level of personal hygiene and cleanliness.
6. Ability to read, write, understand and speak English and basic math skills in a clear and concise manner.
7. Must have communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with a wide variety of individuals
Job Qualifications:
Compensation