Oncology Social Worker (MSW), Full Time, First Shift

About the Role

Social Workers serving in a variety of departments and clinics are responsible for responding to referrals from the interdisciplinary team. The role involves completing psychosocial assessments, developing and implementing a plan of care that addresses patients' needs to promote continuity of care, and facilitating transitions to the next level of care. The social worker will provide education, consultation, and serve as a liaison to the healthcare team regarding the patient and families' emotional, psychological, social, financial, and developmental aspects of care.

Location: Cincinnati, OH, United States

Qualifications

• Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited School of Social Work.
• Licensed by the State of Ohio Social Work Board (LSW, LISW, or LISW-S).
• For employees working in UCMC Psychiatric Services, NCI-APS (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention with Advanced Physical Skills) Certification must be obtained within 90 days of hire.
• Minimum Required: 1 - 2 years of equivalent experience.
• Preferred: 3 - 5 years of equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

Engagement and Exploration

• Engage patients and/or their families in a helping process.
• Assess the psychosocial and mental health needs of patients and families to identify barriers to treatment, enhance patient's health status, increase patient/family satisfaction, and improve utilization of resources.
• Develop rapport with patient and family for ongoing support as needed.
• Adhere to the tasks and responsibilities specific to the department, service, or clinic.

Goal Development and Implementation

• Develop a comprehensive plan of intervention in collaboration with the patient/family and healthcare team.
• Implement a plan of care and monitor patient's response by providing individual/family counseling and social work intervention related to complex crisis management, mental illness, adjustment to illness, material assistance, healthcare decision-making, sexual assault, domestic violence, partner violence, elder abuse, competency, and other psychosocial barriers.
• Advocate, mediate, and negotiate to formulate a cohesive plan for maintaining or enhancing patient's health status, improving social supports, and moving patients safely across the continuum of care.
• Provide family education.
• Provide education about Advance Care Planning and assist with completing Advance Directives paperwork.
• Initiate referrals to community resources as indicated.
• Facilitate discharge process to home, nursing facility, rehabilitation facility, LTAC, group home, treatment, or other facility.

Evaluation and Termination

• Briefly summarize care plan with patient/family and respond to questions and concerns.
• Provide patient/family with linkages to community resources and services.
• Participate in process improvements in evaluating patient outcomes.
• Identify barriers in service delivery systems.
• Assess for transportation needs and arrange as appropriate.
• Facilitate referrals to disease-specific agencies, especially as it relates to employment, financial resources, support services, and chemical dependency services.

Education and Consultation

• Provide consultation and training to medical staff and other healthcare professionals on psychosocial issues regarding illness and barriers to maximizing improved health status.
• Collaborate with co-workers and management to ensure the ongoing development of the Social Work Department.

Competency

• Participate in activities that support enhanced customer service and result in increased Press Ganey scores.
• Attend staff meetings and mandatory departmental in-service training sessions and continuing education in-services.
• Maintain positive working relationships with and knowledge about community agencies and services.
• Maintain timely, clear, and concise documentation; write reports as needed.
• Respond to email requests and provide information as requested.
• Participate in quality and safety initiatives.