Social Worker (LCSW) - (Norwich) - (HE32619-3352-CT)

Social Worker Reports to: Varies Exemption Status: Exemptwork schedule is Monday-Friday.Summary: The Social Worker provides services in the dialysis and transplant units to patients and their families to support and maximize the social functioning and adjustment of the patient in end stage renal disease.

Qualifications:

1) Master's Degree in social work (MSW) minimum.

2) Licensed or registered in the state practicing in, as required by state regulations.

3) At least two years experience as a social worker in a health care setting preferred.

4) Accept supervision from a qualified licensed social worker if state requires.

5) Strong interviewing skills for patient evaluation and problem solving.

6) Capable of communicating clearly and effectively with all types of physically and mentally disabled patients and their families.

Essential Job Functions:

1) Conduct initial patient psychosocial assessment and prepare appropriate documentation.

2) Provide support, information and assistance in treatment planning.

3) Develop treatment and psychosocial goals for initial short and long-term care plans. Develop and continue monitoring treatment goals for short and long-term care plans.

4) Counsel new patients and families on pre-dialysis education, including treatment options / modalities (e.g. transplantation, PD).

5) Act as advocate on behalf of patient and family while maintaining an ethical standard practice.

6) Complete and document annual psychosocial evaluations and quarterly notes, along with documenting and monitoring ongoing psychosocial issues and patient goals.

7) Notify multidisciplinary team of patient psychosocial issues affecting treatment.

8) Facilitate and/or refer patients and families to support/education groups, whenever possible.

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

10) 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.)

11) Provide crisis intervention expertise as necessary.

12) Provide assistance to patient and family in adjusting to dialysis and altered life-style, and provide resource information.

13) Work with the Facility Secretary/Administrative Assistant related to patient travel arrangements for both guest and permanent patients and ensure completion of arrangements.

14) Ensure patient transfers/visits to DaVita facilities when possible (resources such as Guest Services Hotline and DaVita Internet Center Locator are available).

15) Assistance regarding health insurance:


Assist patients with financial concerns to be considered for National
Kidney Foundation, American Kidney Fund, state renal programs,
Veterans Administration, etc., grants and/or DaVita’s Patient Financial
Evaluation process.


Support patient questions regarding Medicare and Medicaid (resources
such as Guest Services Hotline Revenue Operation Hotline are available).


Coordinate patient Medicare and/or Medicaid assistance entitlements and
all appropriate documents.


Assist patients in answering billing questions.


Work with Guest Services Specialist and Financial Coordinator to help
answer commercial insurance questions for patients.


Coordinate with the Guest Services Specialist to provide facility education
on commercial insurance economics.

16) Comply with DaVita policy and procedures and in accordance with state and federal regulation for patient care and services. (Medicare, OSHA, OIG, or other governing agencies)

17) Participate in and comply with state or federal regulations of the Injury Prevention and Safety Training Program.

18) Maintain patient confidentiality.

19) Participate in monthly quality assurance (QA) meetings, monthly patient care conferences, continuous quality improvement (CQI) teams, facility team meetings, and in-services.

Other Duties as Assigned:

1) Possible travel to a variety of units or facilities as needed.

2) Understand and follow DaVita’s patient and employment policies and procedures.

3) Administer patient quality care in a considerate, respectful manner.

DaVita Inc. is the largest provider of dialysis services in the United States for patients suffering from chronic kidney failure, also known as end stage renal disease, or ESRD. We currently operate or provide administrative services to approximately 1200 outpatient dialysis centers located in 41 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 94,500 patients.

All this makes us the largest independent provider of dialysis services in the United States. Though we're proud of this standing, we have set our sights on a higher goal. We want to be the greatest dialysis company the world has ever seen. And we're accomplishing this through a shared commitment to our mission and values.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing and background verification checks. For more information about DaVita visit our website