Social Worker at Aiea

Job Description

SUMMARY

To monitor patient psychosocial functioning, to address concrete needs, and to

provide supportive counseling to facilitate optimal functioning with regards to dialysis treatment

regimen. Provides support and information to patients and their families to maximize psychosocial functioning and adjustment of the ESRD patient, including but not limited to, financial programs, medication assistance programs, vocational rehabilitation programs, transportation resources, mental health and chemical dependency resources and home health/homemaking agencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties and responsibilities generally reflect the expectations of this position but are not intended to be all inclusive. Other duties may be assigned.

Conduct initial patient psychosocial assessment within 30 days of admission, with a reassessment to be conducted 90 days after the initial assessment and prepare appropriate documentation

Develop treatment and psychosocial goals for initial plan of care and update the plan of care as outlined by the clinics governing body for stable and unstable patients

o Complete and document psychosocial evaluations quarterly and annually; document and monitor ongoing psychosocial issues and patient goals

o Notify multidisciplinary team of patient psychosocial issues affecting treatment

o Analyze and provide information and facilitate referrals to community, private, state and federal agencies based on psychosocial needs (i.e. financial programs, medication assistance programs, Vocational Rehabilitation programs, transportation resources, mental health and chemical dependency resources and home health/homemaking agencies)

Complete quarterly progress notes on each patient according to standards outlined by the DSI Continuous Quality Improvement program.

Counsel new and current patients and families on treatment options and modalities (i.e. Transplantation, PD, etc.); provide support, information and assistance in treatment planning; provide assistance to patient and family in adjusting to dialysis and altered lifestyle, and provide resource information

o Advocate on behalf of patients and families in compliance with companys ethical standards of practice

o Facilitate and/or refer patients and families to support/education groups whenever possible

Coordinate and participate in patient/family care conferences with multidisciplinary team

Build and sustain rapport with patients. Weekly rounding on each shift of patients to assess present situation and address any psychosocial issues.

Develop professional relationships with physicians, nursing staff, dietitians, technical personnel, and corporate staff to facilitate interdisciplinary approach to meeting patient needs and coordinate care planning and quality assurance. Rounding with physicians is strongly encouraged.

Represent patients and corporation in a professional manner in professional organizations within the dialysis community.

Provide crisis intervention expertise as necessary

Transfer or send visiting patients to DSI facilities when possible

o Work with the Unit Secretary related to patient travel arrangements for both guest and permanent patients and ensure completion of arrangements

Respond to patient concerns and provide assistance regarding health insurance

o Respond to patient questions regarding Medicare and Medicaid

o Assist patients in answering billing questions

o Work with Admissions and Financial Coordinator to help answer commercial insurance questions for patients

o Coordinate with Admissions Coordinator to provide facility education on commercial insurance economics

Assist patients with financial concerns to be considered for National Kidney Foundation, American Kidney Fund, state renal programs, Veterans Administrations, etc. and possible grants.

Act as patient advocate/liaison with Grievance Committee and Patient Services Committee and to coordinate fund raising activities to replenish Patient Service fund as indicated by needs within the clinic.

Organize patient case load so that all required paperwork is completed by time schedule

established by company policy.

Comply with company policies and procedures and in accordance with state and federal regulation for patient care and services (Medicare, OSHA, HIPAA, OIG, or other governing agencies)

Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA

Participate in monthly QAPI meetings, monthly patient care conferences, facility staff meetings, and in-service trainings.

Perform other duties as assigned or required

o Work hours required to provide quality patient care; work flexible schedule as needed to meet patient care needs

o Work in multiple facilities and travel to cover multiple facilities or to attend meetings as needed

o Consistent, regular, punctual attendance is an essential requirement

o Attend staff meetings, phone conferences and training as needed and required

o Know, understand and follow patient and employee guidelines, employment policies, and department, clinical or company procedures

o Assist in the training of new social workers

Practice within boundaries established by state law.

Ability to lift 1 lb. to a maximum of 20 lbs. and able to hear and interact by phone and in person clearly and efficiently. Able to perform repetitive standing, sitting, stooping, walking, stretching, reaching and use full range of body motions. Ability to use computer and all peripherals as needed to meet goals.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) from accredited university required

Prefer one year of clinical healthcare social work experience

Completion of approved training program as required by the company and CMS guidelines

Demonstrated knowledge of government and private insurance programs

Basic computer skills and proficiency required in MS Outlook; proficiency in all required computer systems of the company including Pearl, etc. within 90 days of employment.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Must be licensed to work as MSW in accordance with state(s) regulations in state(s) employed.

Current CPR certification

ESSENTIAL BEHAVIOR, SKILLS, ATTITUDE

Commitment to company values and mission with ability to demonstrate those positively and proactively to patients, fellow employees, management, physicians and/or vendors in everyday performance and interactions

Demonstrated ability to act at all times with sensitivity to racial and cultural diversity toward patients, physicians, fellow employees, and all others

Demonstrated ability to maintain absolute confidentiality concerning patient information

Self-directed; able to function independently and as a team member and to foster a positive work environment

Demonstrated empathy, consideration and respect for patients and fellow employees

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Demonstrated time management skills and ability to handle multiple priorities according to clinical standards; high degree of initiative

Demonstrated ability to present and document work according to standards required

Ability and willingness to mentor and coach fellow social workers

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Fluent in the written and verbal skills necessary to successfully perform the essential functions, duties and responsibilities of the position.

Ability to read, speak and write English with clarity of expression sufficient to communicate to employees, patients and patient family members in clear and easily understood terms

o Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all types of physically and mentally disabled patients and their families

Demonstrated in-depth understanding of social work and the role of social workers in patient care

o Demonstrated ability to provide quality patient care in a professional manner with empathy and respect for each patient and all family members

o Demonstrated commitment to social work values and code of ethics

o Demonstrated analytical skills and strong interviewing skills for patient evaluation and problem solving

Ability to access and use resources to provide proactive, positive patient care

Demonstrated interpersonal, collaborative and relationship-building skills; ability to interact positively with fellow employees at various levels across the company

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively to a diverse audience with varying levels of understanding related to ESRD

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

VISION REQUIREMENTS

Vision adequate to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of position, including repetitive use of computer monitor

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical requirements can vary. In general, the position requires the following activities:

Ability to lift minimum of 1 lb. to a maximum of 20 lbs.

Ability to hear and interact by phone and in person clearly and efficiently

Able to perform repetitive standing, sitting, stooping, walking, stretching, reaching and use full range of body motions.

Ability to use computer and all peripherals as needed to meet goals

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Job required tasks normally do not involve exposure to blood, bodily fluids or tissues, but may require performance unplanned tasks. The normal work routine involves no exposure to blood, bodily fluids or tissues; however, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment and appropriate personal protection measures are required in those instances. Normal hazards associated with business travel.
Country: USA, State: Hawaii, City: Aiea, Company: DSI Renal.