Oncology Social Worker III

DEFINITION/PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

The Oncology Social Worker provides psychosocial evaluation, counseling and resource referral services to oncology patients and families; works in collaboration with the multidisciplinary treatment team to incorporate psychosocial needs/concerns in planning care; assists in developing resources to meet patient needs; participates in patient/family and staff orientation, education and in-service activities to promote understanding of the financial and psycho-social impact of cancer; and documents services in keeping with facility policies to meet Medicare and CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement) requirements.

The Oncology Social Worker provides distress screening, crisis intervention and counseling to patients and families with emergent or complex psychosocial problems which interfere with, are affected by, or a result from their oncologic diagnosis. The Oncology Social Worker will make referrals for counseling or social support at any point in the treatment continuum.

The Oncology Social Worker will also be involved with complex financial counseling, legal issues, and regulatory reporting.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS (Minimum qualifications are required unless stated otherwise.)

• Experience: Two years of casework experience in a hospital, hospice, cancer center, or counseling center required.

• Experience: Two years of clinical social work experience, preferably in a medical setting.

• Education and Training: MSW (Master of Social Work from a council of social work education accredited school of social work).

• Licenses, Certifications & Registrations: LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker; LICSW preferred. Oncology Certification preferred.

• Other Requirements: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required. Ability to work independently required. Proven crisis intervention skills. Proven solution oriented and brief therapy skills. Knowledge of BMC/BMHC resources and community resources. Knowledge of regulatory reporting requirements. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Proven collaboration skills with other disciplines. Computer experience preferred. Knowledge of course of cancer, adjustment to illness, grief and loss. Critical Skills and Abilities: Capacity to form and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients with chronic/terminal illness and their families. Sensitivity to racial and cultural diversity and gender. Advanced assessment and treatment skills; including individual, couple and family therapy. Ability to manage a caseload where multiple complex needs will be presented. Ability to set priorities under pressure. Capacity to form and maintain effective working relationships with interdisciplinary team members. Possess refined collaborative skills. Ability to assess needs and develop resource information and programs. Ability to develop educational materials. Exhibit sound judgment and excellent verbal and written communication skills. Commitment to social work values and code of ethics Collabration with national cancer organizations such as: ACS, AOSW, APOS, LS etc.

• Machinery, Tools & Equipment: Normal business equipment including telephone, fax, photocopy machines, answering machine, computer and printer.