Student Social Work Clinical Placement

Fresenius Medical Care North America

Aug 2, 2024

Applications are closed

Internship
Full-time
Placement Program
Glendale, +1

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

- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 of the Student Social Work Clinical Placement?

The purpose of the Student Social Work Clinical Placement is to support FMCNA's mission, vision, core values, and customer service philosophy while providing students with essential field education aligned with CSWE standards.

What are the primary responsibilities of the student intern?

The primary responsibilities include participating in patient assessments, care planning, providing psycho-educational counseling, engaging in patient education, and assisting in insurance and financial assistance guidance under the supervision of a licensed social worker.

What qualifications do I need to apply for this position?

A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required, along with a desire to deliver superior care and outstanding customer service to all patients and internal customers.

Is there a requirement for field education hours?

Yes, a minimum number of required field education hours are established by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Are there any restrictions regarding family members?

Yes, the intern cannot work under the supervision of a family member or care for a patient who is a family member. If a family member is a patient at the facility, the intern will be scheduled to work on days the patient is not present or assigned to another patient.

What kind of supervision will I receive during the internship?

The Clinical Manager assigns and closely monitors all social work intern assignments with direct supervision from a licensed social worker based on an agreed education plan.

Do I need to have experience in the healthcare field to apply?

Previous experience in healthcare is preferred but not necessarily required, as the position primarily focuses on student education and development in the field of social work.

What is the working environment like?

The working environment is characteristic of a health care facility with air temperature control and moderate noise levels, with potential exposure to infectious and contagious diseases/materials.

Will I need to travel as part of this internship?

Yes, the position requires travel between assigned facilities and various locations within the community, as well as potential travel to regional, business unit, and corporate meetings.

Are there opportunities for process improvement activities?

Yes, interns are encouraged to actively participate in process improvement activities that enhance patient care and satisfaction in alignment with the FMCNA Quality Enhancement Program (QEP).

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/.