Social Worker Seattle

Northwest Kidney Centers seeks a Social Worker to support the Social Work department in a variable hours position eg. 8am-4:30pm, 12pm-8pm (Seattle, WA).

Full time (1.0

FTE), Monday-Friday, Variable hours, On-Site.

The Social Worker is responsible to the Social Services Manager for social work intake and patient advocacy services and for coordinating social services with physicians, NKC employees, patients, families, and other organizations.

The social worker supports the patient voice and promotes communication through interpreter services for the non-English fluent and educates the patient on rights and the NKC grievance process.

This position provides patient education and counseling, serves as a resource to NKC employees, and performs relief and/or project duties, when required.

The Social Worker is part of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) and is responsible for providing each patient with an individualized comprehensive assessment of his or her social service needs and developing a plan of care in accordance with the ESRD Conditions of Coverage.

The Social Worker evaluates the patient’s status, and uses the comprehensive assessment, depression screening, and KDQOL-36 tool to develop and implement the patient’s treatment plan and appropriate quality care.

The Social Worker is a part of the Quality Assessment Performance Improvement Team, (QA/PI), and participates in evaluating trends, making recommendations and action plans as well as following through to achieve improved patient care.

• Is a member of the IDT and independently conducts the Comprehensive Assessments and unstable care plans, when needed, and develops Plans of Care. Participates with other members of the IDT in the comprehensive assessment/plan of care phone calls.
• Administers the KDQOL-36 tool with patients to identify areas of focus to improve the patients’ quality of life.
• Conducts depression screening and monitors patients’ mental health needs. Offers emotional support, brief therapy and/or referral to outside agencies.
• Screens patients for palliative care and refers to an appropriate provider, including the NKC Renal Supportive Care team.
• Coordinates and performs social services casework duties; psychosocial assessments; counseling, education, suicide assessments and management and documents related activities.
• Serves as resource to patients and staff regarding transportation to dialysis and dialysis related appointments. May advocate for patients with transportation providers.
• Problem solves with patients how they can continue or resume employment. Coordinates with vocational rehabilitation agencies.
• Coordinates social services between patients and patient families, physicians, NKC chaplain, NKC employees, and representatives of nursing homes, area hospitals and other organizations.
• The Social Worker is a member of the interdisciplinary team for the Quality Assessment Performance Improvement (QA/PI) process and reports response rates of KDQOL survey as well as below average scores. Social Worker analyzes trends and develops action plans as needed to address worsening trends.
• Participates in unit huddles and assists in developing plans to improve patient outcomes.
• In conjunction with IDT, implements unit quality initiatives to improve patient outcomes around such issues as transplant, hemodialysis access placement and hospitalizations.
• Serves as the point person on the IDT for tracking transplant status. Works with Project Access Northwest to help eligible patients receive dental clearance for transplant.
• Provides education to NKC employees around topics within social work domain such as suicide management.
• Serves as a community resource person to the treatment teams regarding social services, acts as a patient advocate, and serves as an educational resource to other NKC employees.
• Performs relief, project and committee assignments. This includes coordinating and performing special project duties and responsibilities such as developing new teaching materials to aid NKC employees in working with challenging patient behaviors.
• Represents Social Services. Leads and/or participates in discussions and meetings with other NKC…