Social Worker

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Social Worker (MSW) is responsible for the accomplishment of Dialysis social service program objectives. The Desert Cities Dialysis social worker formulates and administers a social service program which is responds to the immediate and long-term psychosocial care needs of dialysis patients. The Social worker must bring into focus the special concerns about the consequences of illness and disability this has upon the social role of patient and family. The Social worker must maintain frequent coordination with the medical and nursing staff concerning the social service needs of the patient, family and friends as appropriate.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interviews patients, relatives and friends to obtain data on patient’s social, medical, emotional, financial history, home environment and family relationships.
• Establishes a complete case history to provide information on patient’s personality and behavior which is necessary for full understanding and subsequent treatment of the patient (psychological social assessment).
• Evaluates all patient data, including medical plan of treatment and implements an appropriate program of social service support. 
• Provides professional assistance to patients and their families through individual or group conferences to understand, accept and follow medial recommendations. 
• Identifies and attempts to help patient and family in coping with stress resulting from illness related problems. This may enhance their acceptance of medical recommendations. 
• Maintains a continuing case record for each patient including their nature of social problems, how the patient and family are meeting them and details regarding ongoing social service support. 
• Maintains that the case records reflect any follow-up data to permit a comparative study of the effectiveness of social worker’s services provided for the patient. 
• The record should also summarize new information received from relatives and friends as well as from any organization and institution which has knowledge of the patient. 
• Works as a member of the patient care management team participates in dialysis unit and other dialysis related meetings. 
• Participates in discussion groups involving dialysis patients including new patient orientation and discharge planning. 
• Participates in Care conference meetings as part of the interdisciplinary team. 
• Must provide assistance to both the patient and relatives in identifying and coordinating the use of hospital or community resources which may provide needed assistance including clinics, welfare agencies, nursing homes, schools or community organizations. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Must possess a Master’s Degree from a graduate school or social work accredited by the council on Social Work Education which included specialization in clinical practice. 

Must Possess current license to practice in California or be registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as an ASW obtaining pre-licensure hours toward an LCSW. 

Must be committed to continuing professional growth through education. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Minimum of one year of social work experience in a dialysis facility or with chronically ill patients is preferred. Must have direct patient care experience an have proven ability to work professionally with the Administration, Medical and Nursing staff and outside health welfare agencies. 
• Needs to have the ability to communicate verbally and in writing with patients, relatives, physicians, administrative and nursing staff. 
• Needs to be proficient in use of computers, particularly Microsoft Excel, Word and Explorer. 

PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Ability to stand, sit and walk for up to 12 hours. Ability to clearly see, speak and hear continuously. Employee works in a office environment with moderate noise levels (such as electronic machine and people speaking) and controlled temperature conditions. The position may be exposed to contagious and infectious diseases and materials and take necessary precautions.