Social workers at Innovative Renal Care play a vital role in supporting our patients. Their extensive training and experience enable them to provide multi-faceted care for patients living with kidney disease. The role of a nephrology social worker is extensive and includes assessment, teaching, advocacy, and innovation.
Assessment
A renal social worker plays a central role in assessment, learning as much as possible about patients to provide the help they need. One of their greatest strengths is listening. In getting to know a new patient, they ask many questions as they learn about a patient and their needs. Vital information they gather may include:
- Understanding of their condition and dialysis.
- Emotional or mental health concerns, including how they are adjusting to life with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
- Co-morbid conditions or diseases the patient may also be experiencing.
- Physical function, including care needs in the home.
- Presence of family or other social support.
- Insurance coverage and financial concerns.
- Transportation needs.
- Patient wishes, including advance directives.
A dialysis social worker’s goal is to get to know a patient well so that they can meet their needs as they adjust to dialysis and life with ESRD. Assessment continues throughout a patient’s treatment. They meet regularly with patients to follow up on concerns and assess new areas of need.
Based on their assessments, a nephrology social worker regularly documents their findings, including patient progress updates. Since they work as members of an interdisciplinary team–which includes physicians, nurses, and dietitians–a social worker’s documentation helps to give the team a complete picture of how a patient is doing. Together, they can create a plan of care to meet the patient’s needs related to their kidney disease treatment and overall well-being.
Teaching
A dialysis social worker’s most important job is helping patients and their families adjust to life with kidney disease. Teaching is an integral part of this. Social workers spend time covering many topics with patients and family members:
- Kidney Disease and Dialysis
Living with kidney disease and starting dialysis can be challenging. A social worker provides essential information about the changes and adjustments that patients will face. Along with other team members, they provide information about kidney disease and dialysis. They also help patients understand kidney transplantation and how to explore eligibility. - Treatment Plan
It is essential that patients are included in care planning, and a renal social worker helps to make this a reality. They listen to a patient’s concerns and preferences and address them. They keep patients informed about their treatment plan and any changes or adjustments. - Resources
A social worker excels at helping patients and their families find resources to meet their needs. These may include transportation, home health care, insurance coverage, nutrition, financial assistance, advance directive planning, and social support. Their familiarity with community resources enables them to help patients find the help they need. - Rights and Responsibilities
A social worker also ensures patients understand their rights and policies related to their care. This includes their rights and responsibilities as patients, HIPAA and facility privacy policies, and facility rules. They also ensure patients understand how to report any grievances or concerns.
Advocacy
One of a dialysis social worker’s most important jobs is advocating for their patients. One of their strengths is working to meet the needs that patients struggle to meet on their own.
A social worker may use their professional connections and knowledge to find financial assistance for a patient. They may research insurance coverage options for those needing it or help ensure patients can maintain existing coverage. They may help a patient find ways to obtain important medications that their insurance may not cover.
Many patients may struggle with financial needs. A renal social worker can help patients understand and apply for programs that may help them, including COBRA, disability, or FMLA. Ensuring patients do not fall through the cracks is important to them, and they are watchful for issues of neglect or abuse.
Their knowledge of kidney transplantation enables them to help patients and families explore this option. They can help to coordinate necessary referrals to explore transplant eligibility.
Having people working in their best interest is vital to a patient’s emotional health, wellness, and treatment outcomes. When social workers come alongside patients as caring advocates, it makes all the difference.
Innovation
Dialysis social workers strive to ensure the care they provide patients is based on the most up-to-date research and developments. They stay current with the latest developments in their field by reviewing relevant literature and attending conferences and meetings. Equipped with sound and innovative ideas, they can help patients as effectively as possible.
They also serve on the quality assurance team, which works together to ensure that patients receive optimal, effective, and evidence-based care. Their unique training and perspective enable them to bring innovative ideas to patient care.
Social Workers
Social workers are here to support and help you. We at IRC encourage you to get to know your social worker. They are your advocates and are more than willing to help you. Their knowledge, experience, and heart for patients make them invaluable members of your care team.
