Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Somatus - Revolutionizing Kidney Care; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 78,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Somatus, Inc. is seeking a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for our Northern VA outpatient clinics.

You will assess, educate and collaborate with patients on care planning addressing work, travel and financial concerns, and provide psychosocial support to individuals, families and groups coping with CKD/ESRD. This on-site role involves coordination with physicians and clinicians, assisting with insurance navigation, applications for services, and referrals to community resources, with travel up

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work and state licensure as LCSW.
• Dialysis experience with ESRD/CKD patients is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with patients and families.
• Experience coordinating care, insurance, and referrals.

Responsibilities

• Assess, educate and collaborate with patients on care planning addressing work, travel and financial concerns.
• Provide psychosocial support to individuals, families and groups coping with chronic illness.
• Assist with insurance coordination, applications for services, and referrals to community resources.
• Coordinate with physicians and the healthcare team; participate in care planning and documentation.
• Conduct in-center visits and travel to outpatient facilities as needed.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Team collaboration

Bilingual English/Spanish

Basic computer skills

Education

Master’s degree in social work

Job description

How We Show Up for Our Patients:

As a leading provider of outcomes-driven care for individuals and communities living with chronic conditions, Somatus is helping patients across the country enjoy More Healthy Days at Home.

Care at Somatus goes beyond treatment. Through a whole-person approach, we deliver outcomes-driven integrated care and show up #SomatusStrong for our patients and teammates. We partner closely with health plans, health systems, and provider groups to support patients with, or at risk of developing, cardio, kidney, metabolic, or other chronic conditions.

We hire the brightest and boldest — talent driven by purpose and impact. Since our founding in 2016, our growth trajectory isn’t just a milestone — it’s a signal. Our leadership values culture and leads with intention as we remain dedicated to driving clinical excellence.

Does this sound like you? Keep reading.

How You'll Make an Impact:

Our heritage gives us a unique perspective on inpatient and outpatient dialysis care. We have taken our knowledge and past experiences to hold ourselves to a higher standard when it comes to providing care for patients. We work with patients and their providers to identify a modality that suits their needs and lifestyle.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker you will assess, educate and collaborate with patients on care planning that addresses everything from work, travel and financial concerns to emotional support. Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising patients and/or family/caregivers, providing patient education and counseling, insurance coordination, and making referrals for other services. The Social Worker may also provide care and case management, or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

This is a on-site role where the candidate will work within the Somatus Outpatient Clinics in Northern VA.

• 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.
• Assesses patient knowledge of kidney disease for barriers that may affect adherence to treatment.
• Assess social determinants of health that may impact treatment and assist with identifying community resources to address needs.
• Assist patient and/or family/caregiver in completing applications for services and/or resources.
• Provides ongoing education to patients/family regarding psychosocial issues related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and all support services that are available.
• Enables support groups and family members in dealing with and understanding the needs of the patient.
• Develops detailed and error-free case notes involving mental health and risk assessments.
• Adjusts treatment plans in compliance with changes in the status of the patient.
• 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 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.
• In collaboration with the physician and nurse, participates in the discussion of patient DNR status in the facility to ensure patient understanding and informed decision making.
• Utilize motivational interview techniques to address non-adherence and quality of life concerns for all patients.
• Collaborates with Facility Management and Accounting/Billing to address patient issues related to insurance or copay concerns.
• Conduct in-center and face to face visits as necessary to assess patient needs and implement a plan of care (up to 50% same day travel with this role).
• Educate patients on their insurance options including Group Health Plans (GHPs), Medicare, Medicaid, and managed care plans. Serve as a liaison between patients, insurance companies, and the facility staff
• Assists patients in understanding their financial responsibilities, payment arrangements, and potential financial assistance programs
• Maintain accurate records of patient insurance information, care plans, and assessments
• Perform other duties as assigned

How You'll Strengthen Our Team:

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in social work.
• Active and unrestricted state-specific licensure required; Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Dialysis experience in a renal setting working with ESRD & CKD patients
• Excellent communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing to patients, family members and various professionals.
• Basic computer skills and understanding.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of related work experience.
• Two (2) years of experience working with the dialysis/kidney care population.
• Fluency in both English and Spanish
• Track record of excellent customer service skills.
• Medicare or Medicaid experience preferred

Travel:

• Travel between outpatient facilities is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Works and communicates well in a team environment.
• Displays ethical conduct at all times toward patients, families, and co-workers.
• Completes training as required and demonstrates professional effectiveness and positive demeanor.
• Maintains a customer/client focus.
• Strong understanding of insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, patient payment processes.
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively manage patient needs.

Compensation

$78,000 to $85,000 per year

We offer competitive compensation that reflects market conditions and recognizes the skills, experience, and contributions of our team members. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and geographic location and may fall outside of the range shown above.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Our priority is the health and safety of our members, colleagues, partners, and community. For this position, we require proof of COVID-19 vaccination, annual Influenza vaccination, along with immunizations for Hepatitis, MMR, Varicella, Tdap, and TB for employment.

Our Commitment to Diversity

At Somatus, we celebrate what makes us unique — our people. We believe that a culture intentionally built to foster and support our unique passions, experiences, and perspectives helps fuel us in the pursuit of our mission.

Somatus, Inc. providesequal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.