Clinical Oncology Social Worker

Oregon Health & Science University • Portland, OR

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Oncology Clinical Social Worker may support patients who have experienced a cancer diagnosis and their support people inpatient at OHSU Hospital. Social workers in this role will support adult cancer patients under the care of a physician at the Knight Cancer Institute and may fluctuate between inpatient and outpatient services. The OCSW will complete assessments, provide resources, and offer emotional/behavioral support for patients receiving medical oncology services and their support people. The OCSW may attend care rounds, care conferences, or other disease-specific team meetings as appropriate. Individuals will be expected to cross-cover for each other for planned and unplanned absences within work unit. Individuals may meet with patients and their support people in hospital rooms, consult rooms, virtually, or by telephone. The Oncology Clinical Social Worker (OCSW) is a mental/behavioral health clinician who operates as a core member of a multi-disciplinary oncology team. The OCSW offers social work intervention through direct treatment and/or coordination of needed services to patients and/or their families experiencing psychosocial adjustment difficulties associated with illness, injury, disability, and related hospitalization. Interventions may include: biopsychosocial assessment, brief supportive counseling, care coordination, information/resource referrals, crisis intervention, and patient/support person(s) advocacy. The primary goal of the intervention is to assist patients in achieving maximum physical and psychosocial functioning, using evidence- based interventions targeted at improving health and well-being for a variety of patients. The OCSW also provides mental health support for patient’s support person(s) as they navigate adjustment to the patient’s illness, advanced care planning, palliative care needs, and other difficult decisions related to cancer diagnosis/care, also providing grief/bereavement support when appropriate.

Requirements

• A Master’s Social Work (MSW) required.
• Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required for employees who practice clinical social work.
• Healthcare experience
• Experience in behavioral/mental health counseling and application of brief, short-term therapy strategies. This requirement may be waived in lieu of an applicant’s lived experience.
• Clinical behavioral health skills including mental health assessment acumen and short-term counseling skills.
• Crisis Intervention skills
• Effective communication skills, including conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated understanding of Trauma informed and patient-centered care.
• Ability to practice with minimal supervision using sound clinical judgement.
• Demonstrated knowledge of anti-oppressive practices.
• Bilingual in Spanish (reading, writing, speaking proficiency)

Nice To Haves

• Health care experience preferred.
• 2 years Oncology Social Work Experience
• Experience as a behavioral health clinician in a healthcare setting
• Bilingual medical terminology proficiency.
• Bicultural Experience working with diverse identity populations.
• Licensed in Washington

Responsibilities

• Psychosocial Assessment: Conducts psychosocial evaluations of patients/support person(s) to identify needs and areas of support, including but not limited to: adjustment to cancer diagnosis, care coordination, mental health status, barriers to treatment process, substance use, child or elder abuse/neglect, intimate partner violence concerns, financial concerns, and resource needs. The OCSW may participate in treatment team meetings or care conferences as the behavioral health clinician to support treatment planning.
• Patient Services: Refers patient/support person(s) to resources within and outside of the hospital for assistance (i.e. financial, housing, transportation, insurance, prescription assistance, etc.) Acts as an advocate for patients within the medical setting and the community Maintains knowledge of community resources for oncology patients May interact with the oncology social work specialist for assistance.
• Supportive Counseling: Provides brief short-term, evidence-based clinical behavioral health interventions to patients and/or their support person(s) in health care settings. Works to coordinate transition to long-term counseling support in the community for patients requiring long-term follow-up. Provides counseling to reinforce patients’ strengths and assist them in coping with a cancer diagnosis. Counsels patients to assist them in decisions related to treatment options and educates patients regarding anticipated social or emotional impacts of treatment. May participate in urgent situations by providing crisis intervention services to patients and/or their support person(s). May also conduct group work including support group facilitation to patients, caregivers, and/or staff.
• Documentation: Maintains accurate and timely documentation of patient care activities in an efficient manner per department policies and workflows to ensure continuity of care.

Benefits

• Healthcare Options - Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents, and $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from
• Vacation- up to 200 hours per year depending on length of service
• Sick Leave- up to 96 hours per year
• 8 paid holidays per year
• Substantial Tri-met and C-Tran discounts
• Additional Programs including: Tuition Reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees