Oncology Social Worker

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Oncology Social Worker works closely with cancer patients, families and care givers in addition to other members of the cancer care team, including, but not limited to, the resource navigator, nurse navigator(s), physicians in primary care, medical oncology, surgery and radiation oncology.  Coordinate with nurses serving in “non-navigation” roles, pastoral care, laboratory staff and radiation therapy personnel. Contributes to a caring and compassionate environment through commitment to ECHN’s Core Values of Teamwork, respect and communications.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

• MSW
• LCSW required within 1 year of eligibility.

EXPERIENCE:

• 3-5 years related experience working directly in a medical facility, preferably with cancer patients, families and care givers.
• Knowledgeable about programs and services offered at the ECCI Cancer Center, ancillary departments throughout ECHN and the local community.

COMPETENCIES:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Moderate computer proficiency, including MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) to complete reports and to track and develop statistics and data associated with quality assessment and improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and to complete projects from initiation to completion within prescribed time limits.
• Public speaking experience preferred.
• Ability to speak another language is a plus. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Disclaimer: Job descriptions are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.  They are intended to be accurate reflections of the principal duties and responsibilities of this position.  These responsibilities and competencies listed below may change from time to time.

1. Identify and engage cancer patients, families, and care givers from the time of diagnosis through the treatment phase and beyond.
2. Evaluate, assess and monitor the psychological and social distress of patients, families and care givers during and beyond treatment.
3. Direct and assist patients, families and care givers to institutional and community resources, including federal, state foundation and private assistance programs, as needed, to enhance care and/or provide for additional support resources.
4. Assist in the assessment of home health care needs; evaluate issues of employment, insurability, end of life issues, estate planning, advanced directives, and financial issues. Assist patients, as necessary, with finding potential funding sources and facilitating uninsured patients enrolled into a plan
5. Encourage patients to develop, along with the Survivorship program staff, a survivorship care plan.  This plan may include recommendations of follow up screening, prevention, and smoking cessation, when appropriate
6. Work closely with the Nurse Navigator to facilitate participation in clinical trials and to assist in obtaining second opinions when deemed appropriate.
7. Provide support to Nurse Navigator(s) and other members of the professional oncology care giver community
8. Directly responsible for maintaining adherence to Commission on Cancer standards as they relate to psychosocial services and distress screening (Standards ER10 and S3.2) and serving as the Psychosocial Coordinator on Cancer Committee
9. Attend and participate in appropriate cancer center meetings such as tumor boards, cancer conferences, navigation meetings, and medical director meetings
10. Actively seek, help coordinate and participate in, community educational and screening/prevention opportunities which may require after hour services
11. Document client interactions and satisfaction.
12. Objectively monitor and assess patient, family and care giver needs and the change in their needs over time.
13. Maintain patient/client confidentiality and adhere to HIPPA and ECHN regulations.