Clinical Oncology Social Worker

Oregon Health & Science University•Portland, OR

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Oncology Clinical Social Worker (OCSW) 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 the work unit. Individuals may meet with patients and their support people in hospital rooms, consult rooms, virtually, or by telephone.

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

Health care experience preferred.
Bilingual in Spanish (reading, writing, speaking proficiency)
Licensed in Washington
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.

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.
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.
May participate in treatment team meetings or care conferences as the behavioral health clinician to support treatment planning.
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.
Other Duties as Assigned