Clinical Oncology Social Worker

Oregon Health & Science University•Portland, OR

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

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. The Oncology Clinical Social Worker supports patients across the Knight Cancer Institute organization in the function of float social worker. This position will travel between clinic locations and settings (inpatient and outpatient) to support social workers who are on planned and unplanned absences. Locations for coverage include: Center for Health and Healing Building 2, OHSU Hospital, CHO, and Pediatric Survivorship clinic. The OCSW Float will support adult and pediatric/young adult cancer patients under the care of a physician at the Knight Cancer Institute/Pediatric Hematology Oncology. The OCSW will complete assessments, provide resources, and emotional/behavioral support for patients receiving medical oncology services, radiation treatment, and infusions. The OCSW may attend tumor boards, care rounds, and multi-disciplinary clinics in their role as a float social worker. Additionally, the OCSW will be trained to provide more extensive evaluations including HAI evaluations, Caregiver assessments, BMT evaluations, and CAR-T evaluations. The OCSW may meet with patients in exam rooms, consult rooms, infusion spaces, virtually, and/or by phone

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.

Nice To Haves

2 years Oncology Social Work Experience
Licensed in Washington
Experience as a behavioral health clinician in a healthcare setting
Bilingual/Second language proficiency
Bicultural
Experience working with diverse identity populations.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
Other Duties as Assigned