About this role
Make a Difference in the Lives of Patients Every Day
UVA Health is seeking a compassionate, motivated Clinical Social Worker to join our Dialysis team. In this role, you'll become an essential advocate and resource for patients who rely on life-sustaining dialysis treatment, helping them navigate transportation needs, financial challenges, insurance concerns, care planning, and other barriers to successful treatment.
This is an opportunity to build meaningful, long-term relationships with patients and become a trusted member of an experienced, supportive interdisciplinary healthcare team.
Why Join Our Team?
Our dialysis program serves a diverse mix of rural and urban communities and is built on a culture of compassion, teamwork, and patient-centered care.
When you join our team, you'll work alongside highly experienced healthcare professionals who are deeply committed to helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes. The social worker serves as a vital connection point between patients, families, providers, and community resources.
This is a role where your work directly impacts patients' quality of life every day.
What You'll Do
As a Clinical Social Worker, you will:
- Coordinate and support the psychosocial aspects of patient care.
- Conduct required patient assessments and depression screenings.
- Assist patients with transportation resources and coordination.
- Support insurance verification and financial assistance processes.
- Help patients complete income evaluations and required paperwork.
- Assist with transitions to nursing homes or other care settings when needed.
- Ensure social work documentation and care plan requirements are completed accurately and timely.
- Connect patients and families with community resources and support programs.
- Serve as an advocate for patients and help address barriers that may affect treatment success.
- Participate as a key member of the interdisciplinary care team.
- Identify opportunities to improve patient support beyond minimum requirements.
What We're Looking For
Successful candidates will be
- Compassionate and patient-focused.
- Strong communicators who build trust easily.
- Organized and skilled at managing multiple priorities.
- Resourceful and solutions-oriented.
- Self-motivated and proactive.
- Comfortable working independently while collaborating with a larger care team.
- Passionate about helping others navigate complex healthcare and life challenges.
Experience and Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program.
- Eligibility for employment as a Clinical Social Worker according to UVA Health requirements.
- Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
Preferred
- Healthcare social work experience.
- Medical social work experience.
- Dialysis, renal, or chronic disease management experience.
- Experience working with vulnerable or medically complex patient populations.
What Can Be Trained?
Dialysis experience is helpful but not required.
We welcome candidates from a variety of social work backgrounds who demonstrate strong fundamentals, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to patient care.
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?
The ideal candidate is someone who genuinely cares about people and is driven to make a positive difference.
You'll thrive in this environment if you:
- Enjoy building relationships with patients over time.
- Take initiative to identify solutions and resources.
- Look beyond the immediate task to find additional ways to help.
- Balance administrative responsibilities with compassionate patient interaction.
- Bring energy, empathy, and creativity to your work.
This role is especially rewarding for social workers who enjoy advocacy, care coordination, and helping patients overcome real-world challenges that affect their health and well-being.
What Makes This Role Unique?
Unlike many healthcare settings, dialysis patients receive treatment on an ongoing basis, often several times each week. This allows you to build meaningful long-term relationships and see the impact of your work over time.
You'll have the opportunity to:
- Become a trusted advocate for your patients.
- Work closely with an experienced interdisciplinary team.
- Support patients through significant life events and healthcare milestones.
- Participate in transplant-related support activities.
- Help improve quality of life for individuals facing chronic health challenges.
About UVA Health
UVA Health is one of the nation's leading academic health systems, committed to excellence in patient care, innovation, education, and research. Our team members are united by a shared mission to transform health and inspire hope for all communities we serve.
Join us and bring your compassion, dedication, and expertise to a team that values the difference social workers make every day.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education: Master's degree in Social Work from a CSWE accredited social work program required.
Experience: No relevant experience required; Experience in the social work field; experience in health care settings is preferred.
Licensure: Expectation to become Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) guidelines found in departmental addendum located in department competency file.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Job requires sitting for prolonged periods, standing/traveling or use of assistive and climbing (stairs, steps). Proficient communicative, auditory and visual skills; Attention to detail, hear, speak, see, distinguish colors, read, ability to write legibly; Ability to lift/push/pull less than 20lbs. May be exposed to chemicals, blood/body fluids and infectious disease.
The pay range for this role is $57,907.20 - $92,643.20 annually. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education.
Benefits
- Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Retirement Savings
- Long-term and Short-term Disability
- Health Saving Plans, and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Certification and Education Support
UVA Health is a world-class Magnet Recognized academic medical center and health system with a level 1 trauma center. 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” guide rates UVA Health University Medical Center as “High Performing” in 5 adult specialties and 14 conditions/procedures. We are one of 70 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers. UVA Health Children’s is named by 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report as the best children's hospital in Virginia with 9 specialties ranked among the best in the nation. Our footprint also encompasses 3 community hospitals and an integrated network of primary and specialty care clinics throughout Charlottesville, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and beyond.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.