Social Worker

Prioritized Must Have Skills for the Social Worker:

#1. Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) required.

#2. Licensed Social Worker in the State of South Dakota required.

#3. Valid South Dakota driver's license required.

Responsibilities of the Social Worker:

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments to evaluate emotional, behavioral, financial, environmental, and support-system factors that may impact treatment adherence and overall well being.
• Develop individualized care plans addressing complex psychosocial needs, including adjustment to chronic illness, coping strategies, and long-term care planning.
• Provide short-term counseling and crisis intervention for patients and families experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or adjustment difficulties related to chronic kidney disease and dialysis treatment.
• Collaborate closely with nephrologists, physicians, nurses, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to integrate psychosocial findings into the overall treatment plan.
• Facilitate patient and family conferences to enhance understanding of medical recommendations and promote adherence to dialysis and treatment protocols.
• Educate patients and families on available community resources, insurance benefits, disability programs, transportation services, advance directives, and financial assistance options.
• Assist patients in navigating Medicare/Medicaid, disability applications, transplant referrals, and other healthcare coverage matters.
• Coordinate transitions of care, including referrals to rehabilitation facilities, home health services, long-term care, transplant centers, or other appropriate levels of care.
• Advocate for patients within the healthcare system and community to ensure access to necessary services and removal of barriers to care.
• Facilitate and lead support groups focused on coping with chronic illness, treatment compliance, lifestyle adjustments, and emotional resilience.
• Provide crisis mediation in high-stress or emotionally complex situations involving patients, families, or care teams.
• Participate actively in interdisciplinary team meetings to review patient progress and adjust care plans accordingly.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation of psychosocial assessments, interventions, care plans, and progress notes in accordance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Provide general direction and supervision to BS/BA-level social workers or support staff as assigned.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives by identifying social determinants of health impacting patient outcomes and recommending service enhancements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the dialysis unit and organizational mission.

Requirements of the Social Worker:

• Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) required
• 2 years of experience required
• Licensed Social Worker in the State of South Dakota required
• Valid South Dakota driver's license required