Social Worker - Cancer Center (Full Time)

Responsibilities

• Serves as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide psychosocial assessment, social work services and counseling to patients and families facing the impact of a potential or actual diagnosis of cancer.
• Identifies environmental, emotional, and psychosocial barriers that may affect the quality of life of cancer patients and their families and assists with access to appropriate resources.
• Serves as point of contact for providers who diagnose and treat cancer patients to offer support, psychosocial assessment, education and linkage to community resources as appropriate.
• Ensures that social and emotional needs of those with a potential or actual diagnosis of cancer and their families are met by providing (IOM 2008, Six Vital Oncology Social Workers Competencies): Systemic patient and family centered psychosocial screening and assessment Evidence-based psychosocial intervention Communication/problem solving/decision making Family and caregiver support and family conferencing Interdisciplinary team work and collaboration Advocacy and leadership: quality improvement and performance measures
• Actively collaborates with interdisciplinary team to: Identify each patient and family’s psychosocial needs Design and implement a plan of care that links patients and families with needed services, coordinates their care and engages and supports them in managing their illness and well-being Systematically follow, re-evaluate and adjust plan of care to reflect evolving needs of patients and families
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication skills with patients, families and interdisciplinary team members. Verbal communication is clear and precise. Written communication is done in a timely manner in the appropriate data base.
• Collaborates with support services (palliative care, hospice, dietician, psychologist, chaplain etc) regarding how best to meet psychosocial needs. Collaborates with internal and community resources to provide assistance to patients/families for patient needs. Communicates pertinent information regarding patient issues with other members of the care team.
• Communicates with care/case managers, social workers, nurses, and/or providers about patient needs. Recommends services consistent with the patient’s care needs and benefits.
• Recommends changes in patient care, clinical practice guidelines/care paths, which promote cost effective care while maintaining quality.
• Identify developmental, physical and psychological needs in providing age appropriate care or service. Evaluates patient for age-appropriate behavior, motor skills and physiological norms. Demonstrates ability to assess and apply age specific information. Evaluates age appropriate support systems for the patient/customer to meet their needs.
• Participates in performance improvement initiatives to assure positive patient outcomes based on current evidence-based standards and applicable regulatory standards.
• Works in collaboration with care team to develop and monitor clinical quality indicators and development of quality improvement action plan when indicated.
• Affords assistance in assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of programs and services that support the quality of life of cancer patient and their families.
• Participates in Cancer Committee, as requested

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work
• Iowa Social Work license, LBSW, LMSW, LISW
• Ability to work independently and self-direct work activities.
• Detail oriented and able to meet established deadlines.
• Demonstrates comfort in making presentations to and facilitating small to medium-sized groups (i.e. business, professionals, community agencies, etc.).
• Ability to collaborate across departments and with other non-profit organizations.
• Flexibility in schedule and availability for “after hour” events and programs
• Comprehensive knowledge of current clinical and specialized patient care concepts related to own professional area.
• Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons