Oncology Social Worker

Summary

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Responsible for collaborating with health care team members to identify and plan for the complex and problematic psychosocial and emotional needs of the patient and family. Assesses the patients social barriers to care, availability of family, financial and emotional support, plans for interventions and assist in connecting patients with resources to facilitate their care. Arranges daily schedule according to patient needs and complexity. Provides input for tumor boards and participates in multidisciplinary cancer conferences. Facilitates support groups.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Responsible for overseeing the Commission on Cancer Program Accreditation standard(s) pertaining to Psychosocial Services.

3. *Utilizes knowledge of high-risk indicators and works collaboratively with health care team members to appropriately identify potential at risk population. Competes risk/screening assessment according to required format and within required time frame.

4. *Works as a team member to assist in development of appropriate care plans addressing complicated social and financial barriers to care. Assesses the need for community and/or governmental agency involvement and acts as patient/family advocate.

5. *Provides supportive counseling to patients and families to enhance coping mechanisms.

6. *Assists patient/family with adjustment to medical condition and medical environment as evidenced by clinical documentation. Provides information and assists to connect with appropriate resources including but not limited to financial, insurance/benefits, medical assistance, transportation, childcare, and housing.

7. *Documents in the medical record a comprehensive assessment of patient needs including barriers to care, support, interventions and plans for ongoing services and appropriate community resources.

8. *Educates patients and families by sharing tools including but not limited to ways to talk about cancer, stress management, coping strategies, self-care, and age appropriate communication with children/siblings.

9. Refers patients/families and care givers to appropriate resources regarding abuse, neglect, domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse, abuse interventions and grief/bereavement.

10. *Maintains professional relationships and communicates effectively with other members of the health care team.

11. Assists patients/families in understanding, accepting and following medical recommendations.

12. Facilitates communication with patients/families from a wide variety of developmental and social/cultural backgrounds; conveys an attitude of acceptance, sensitivity and caring as evidenced by clinical documentation.

13. *Initiates communication with peers about clinical practice issues.

14. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.

15. Participates in meetings, committees and department projects as assigned.

16. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

(Essential Job functions are marked with an asterisk *. Refer to the Job Description Guide for the definition of essential and non-essential job functions.) Attach Addendum for positions with slightly different roles or work-specific differences as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of crisis intervention and problem solving methods.

2. Knowledge of principles and practices of social work and supportive counseling techniques.

3. Knowledge of the impact of chronic illness on patient/family and intervention strategies.

4. Knowledge of dynamics involved in all types of family violence, high-risk indicators, legal responsibilities and process for reporting.

5. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

6. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.

7. Ability to complete psychosocial assessments according to department procedure.

8. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.

9. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

10. Ability to work in a fast-paces environment related to changing patient needs including working with patients with acute, chronic and complex disease processes and those who are dying.

11. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel, medical staff, volunteer and ancillary departments including diverse patient populations.

12. Ability to plan, organize and implement social work services to patients with needs common to area of assigned responsibility.

13. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelors degree in social work or related field required. Minimum of two (2) years experience in a medical/clinical setting required. Masters degree in social work (MSW) or counseling preferred. Knowledge of resources for children and abuse victims is preferred.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) Characterized as sedentary work requiring exertion up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

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