Social Worker

The US Oncology Network empowers the delivery of advanced integrated cancer care through our network of independent physicians who share expertise and resources to provide quality, value-based care close to home. Our clinical and business support capabilities, expertise and industry-leading technologies keep local practices at the forefront of high quality, efficient care delivery while enabling practice success, quality of life and financial security for physicians.

The US Oncology Network has 1,400 affiliated physicians, 400 locations across the United States and 800,000 patients treated annually

We have an immediate opening for a Social Worker.

Participates in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, for patients requiring emotional and psycho-social assistance. Provides knowledge of agencies and organizations offering emotional, physical, social, and financial services to patients and families. Supports and adheres to the US Oncology Compliance Program, to include the Code of Ethics and Business Standards.

SCOPE: Participates in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, for patients requiring emotional and psycho-social assistance. Provides knowledge of agencies and organizations offering emotional, physical, social, and financial services to patients and families. Supports and adheres to the US Oncology Compliance Program, to include the Code of Ethics and Business Standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

-Provides therapeutic counseling to patients, family members, and caregivers as needed. Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral issues as appropriate.  If billing for these services, will document session notes and billing requirements in a timely fashion.

-Demonstrates a strong knowledge of the psychosocial impact of cancer on the patient and family system throughout the continuum of cancer care, including at diagnosis, advanced cancer, end of life care, and survivorship.

-Demonstrates knowledge specific to practical implications such as financial distress, changes in relationships/roles, custody planning, caregiver demands, advance care planning, psychological distress, and spiritual/existential distress.

-Provides emotional support and crisis assessment/interventions to patients and families, as well as non-pharmacologic support for pain, sleep issues, and other physical concerns.

-Active member of the medical interdisciplinary team.  Ensures ongoing communication with team members to facilitate understanding and support of identified patient and family needs.

-Participates in and contributes to Value Based Care initiatives by participating in distress and depression screening follow-up, advance care planning and end-of-life conversations and transitions.  If billing for advance care planning visits, will document notes and billing requirements in a timely fashion.

-Assists and supports patients and families with transition to and issues associated with Survivorship.

-Meets with patients and their families to administer, assess, and provide appropriate follow-up of psychosocial needs assessments.  Considers social support, appropriate community resources, and coping mechanisms.

-Develops, maintains and facilitates support groups to enhance the quality of care and support to patients and their families.

-Coordinates support groups with local agencies and health care providers to prevent duplication of services and to better address the needs of the patient population.

-Provides education to clinic staff regarding skills and knowledge specific to the role of a clinical social worker in a medical practice; serves as a resource and expert to clinic staff and providers in managing patients with psychological needs, the impact of social and behavioral determinants on health care outcomes and in addressing issues such as compassion fatigue/satisfaction and secondary trauma amongst staff.

-Provides information about appropriate community resources to patients and families to assist them in accessing a wide variety of services.

-Develops and maintains working relationships with community agencies, health care organizations, and other providers to promote a broad base of support for patients and families.

-Acts as a patient/family advocate in negotiating the health care system. Helps to facilitate communication between patient/family and medical team.

-Documents all interventions in EMR accurately, appropriately and timely. If billing for services, will document notes and billing requirements in a timely fashion.

-Provides professional presentations to groups and organizations  to facilitate public understanding of the psycho-social and psychological aspects of the cancer experience.  

-Participates in quality improvement activities. May oversee the activities of staff providing coordination of Social Services.

-As appropriate, supervise MSW Student Interns; review candidates, mentor, and proper documentation training.

-May provide Clinical Supervision to MSWs working towards clinical licensure if necessary and deemed appropriate.

-Demonstrates knowledge of age-specific differences in the patient population that include late adolescence, adulthood, middle age, and the elderly. This includes physiological, psychological, and developmental differences unique to each group.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires exposure to communicable diseases, medical preparations, and other conditions common to an oncology/hematology clinic environment. Requires frequent interaction with patients and families, physicians and clinic staff, and external agencies and organizations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Master's degree in social work from a school or program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and valid and current clinical social work license (i.e. LCSW) Minimum three- to five-years’ experience preferred working as a clinical social worker in a health care setting; oncology, palliative care, and/or hospice experience highly desired.

Applicants will be hired into the title appropriate to their credentials and years of experience.