Student Social Work Clinical Placement

Fresenius Medical Care North America

Jul 17, 2024

Applications are closed

Internship
Full-time
Placement Program
Healthcare
Greensboro

Requirements

EDUCATION:
High School diploma or G.E.D.
EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS:
Preferred outstanding customer service to all external and internal customers. Possess the desire to deliver superior care to our patients and embrace Fresenius' mission and values.
RELATIONSHIPS:
The Intern cannot work under the supervision of a family member.
The Intern cannot care for a patient who is a family member. If an Intern's family member is a patient at the facility in which they work, the Intern will be scheduled to work on days the patient is not in the facility or will be assigned to another patient.
SUPERVISION:
The Clinical Manager assigns and closely monitors all SW Intern assignments with direct supervision from a SWFI based on the agreed education plan.
OTHER:
Performs additional duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

DUTIES / ACTIVITIES:
An integral part of Social Work education that promotes students' identification with the purposes, values and ethics of the profession; fosters the integration of empirical and practice-based knowledge; and promotes the development of professional competence (CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards). A minimum number of required field education hours are established by the CSWE.
The social worker student/intern may under direct guidance of a Licensed Social Worker:
CUSTOMER SERVICES:
Responsible for driving the FMS culture through values and customer services standards.
Accountable for outstanding customer service to all external and internal customers.
Develops and maintains effective relationships through effective and timely communication.
Takes initiative and action to respond, resolve, and follow up regarding customer services issues with all customers in a timely manner.
PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES RELATED TO PATIENT CARE:
Patient Assessment/Care Planning Counseling:
As a member of the interdisciplinary team, assesses patients' psychosocial status, strengths and areas of need that may affect rehabilitation and optimal treatment outcomes as part of the comprehensive patient assessment.
Participates in care planning in collaboration with the patient and healthcare team to identify effective interventions that will help the patient meet rehabilitation, treatment goals, and improve quality of life.
Utilizes FMS Ultra Care patient education programs, established social work theory and methods and quality of life measurement instruments as part of assessment and care planning to resolve barriers and meet patient treatment goals.
Provides established outcomes driven psycho-educational counseling methods aimed at improving areas of need, treatment adherence, vocational/educational rehabilitation and/or quality of life.
Provides supportive and goal directed counseling to patients who are seeking transplant.
Assesses patient awareness of advance directives; assists with accessing advance directive forms/information and facilitates discussion of advance directive wishes, if necessary, with the healthcare team and the patient's family/support persons.
Will provide general information about Do Not Resuscitate Orders and Advanced Directives.
Provides information and assists the team and patient with referral to community resources (home health services, vocational rehabilitation, etc.) to facilitate optimal treatment outcomes.
Provides usual care and/or Social Work Intensive to address non-adherence and quality of life concerns for all patients.
Knowledgeable of and adheres to FMCNA Social Work Policy, including documentation.
Patient Education:
Assess patient knowledge of kidney disease for barriers that may affect adherence to treatment. Works with patient, family and health care team to provide education tailored to the patient's learning style and needs.
With other members of the interdisciplinary team, provides appropriate information about all treatment modalities. Facilitates the transplant referral process and collaborates with interdisciplinary team, if delegated by Clinical Manager.
Provides ongoing education to patient/family regarding psychosocial issues related to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and all support services that are available.
Reviewed patient rights and responsibilities, grievance information (company and network) and other facilities policies with patient and/or the patients' representative to ensure patients' understanding of the rights and expectations of them.
Collaborates with the team on appropriate QAI activities.
Insurance and Financial Assistance:
Maintains current knowledge regarding local vocational/educational rehabilitation programs and assist patients with referral and access to vocational rehabilitation to enable them to remain employed, become employed or receive education.
Understands FMCNA financial policies and procedures as they related to patient services. Collaborate with Financial Coordinators to educate patients about programs that may be available to assist with uncovered services, how to resolve billing concerns, and understand financial responsibilities.
Staff Related:
Works with the administrative support staff to maintain updated patient resource lists (e.g. maintain updated list of transportation resources).
Develops and provides training to staff pertaining to psychosocial topics as needed. Trains staff in Ultra Care Programs as needed.
Other duties as assigned.

FAQs

What is the purpose and scope of the Student Social Work Clinical Placement?

The purpose of the Student Social Work Clinical Placement is to support FMCNA's mission and values while functioning as part of the hemodialysis health care team. Interns assist in providing safe and effective dialysis therapy for patients under the supervision of a licensed social worker and are involved in maintaining compliance with regulations and quality enhancement goals.

What types of activities will the intern be involved in?

The intern will participate in patient assessments, care planning, counseling, patient education, and referrals to community resources. They will also engage in customer service activities, collaborate with the healthcare team, and assist with documentation while adhering to FMCNA policies.

What educational background is required for this internship?

A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required for this internship. However, since it's a student internship, applicants are usually pursuing a degree in social work.

What supervision will the intern receive during their placement?

The intern will be closely monitored by the Clinical Manager and will receive direct supervision from a licensed social worker (SWFI) based on an agreed education plan.

Are there any restrictions on who the intern can work with?

Yes, the intern cannot work under the supervision of a family member, nor can they care for a patient who is a family member. If a family member is a patient at the facility, special scheduling arrangements will be made.

What kind of training or experience is preferred for this position?

The preferred candidate will have outstanding customer service skills, a desire to deliver superior care to patients, and an understanding of Fresenius' mission and values. Experience in social work or a related field is beneficial.

What are the physical demands and working conditions of this internship?

The position involves desk work and personal computer usage, as well as interaction with patients and facility staff. It requires travel between facilities and may involve exposure to infectious diseases in a healthcare environment characterized by moderate noise levels and controlled air temperatures.

What additional duties might the intern be expected to perform?

The intern may perform other duties as assigned, which can include developing and providing training on psychosocial topics to staff and maintaining updated patient resource lists.

How will the intern assist in patient education?

The intern will assess patients' knowledge of kidney disease, provide tailored education to meet individual learning styles, inform patients about treatment modalities, and discuss psychosocial issues related to dialysis and available support services.

What is the significance of the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) in this role?

The intern plays a crucial role in the QEP by actively participating in activities aimed at improving patient satisfaction and quality of life outcomes, ultimately promoting the achievement of FMC Quality Enhancement Goals.

Fresenius Medical Care North America

Every patient, every day

1-10

Employees

1996

Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) is the premier healthcare company focused on providing the highest quality care to people with renal and other chronic conditions. Through its industry-leading network of dialysis facilities and outpatient cardiac and vascular labs, Fresenius Medical Care North America provides coordinated healthcare services at pivotal care points for hundreds of thousands of chronically ill customers throughout the continent. As the world’s largest fully integrated renal company, it offers specialty pharmacy and laboratory services, and manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of dialysis equipment, disposable products, and renal pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit the FMCNA website at https://fmcna.com/.