Oncology Social Worker

GBMC HealthCare • Towson, MD

14h • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, provides psycho-social services to oncology patients and family members/caregivers, including psychosocial assessment, coordination of services, resource referral and support group referral. Assists with adjustment to illness and treatment, addressing personal, financial, and environmental difficulties that impact caner care. Demonstrates advanced clinical skills and administrative responsibilities. Participates in multidisciplinary collaboration with staff in the surgical oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology departments, and on various units. Other duties include assessing knowledge deficits, educating patients and family members about community resources, rights and responsibilities, advanced directives, end-of-life care issues, health insurance, and navigating the healthcare system. The Social Worker coordinates complex care plans involving a wide range of internal and external services including home health, social services, and mental health providers; advocates for patients to receive needed resources and services.

Requirements

• Masters’ in Social Work; equivalent experience or certification considered
• 1-3 years prior social work experience in a hospital, nursing care facility or other health care setting preferably doing discharge planning work
• Cultural competency and willingness to work with patients of many different racial, national, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as well as different age groups and socioeconomic statuses.
• Basic computer skills (electronic medical record training is provided)
• Interview skills including active listening, open-ended questioning, and empathy
• Assessment skills to quickly develop thorough assessments and care plans
• Skill in, or willingness to learn, counseling and motivational interviewing techniques
• Willingness to engage with difficult or noncompliant patients or family members; willingness to discuss topics such as end of life care or substance abuse
• Ability to self-direct and negotiate competing priorities
• Ability to develop a wide-ranging working knowledge of services, referral processes and criteria, medical terms and needs, etc. (training is provided)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment; desire to engage with change processes and work closely with multi-disciplinary teams
• Licensed in Maryland as an LCSW-C.
• Must speak, write, and understand English fluently both in person and on the phone.

Nice To Haves

• OSW-C preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administrative responsibilities include tracking and maintenance of social worker statistics; including, but not limited to: community referrals, mental health provider referrals, etc.
• Satisfies clinical productivity requirements.
• Attends all multidisciplinary group meetings.
• Is assigned to the Tumor Boards and Cancer Committee.
• Participates in other committees as needed.
• Interviews patients, family members and significant others to obtain a relevant psychosocial assessment.
• Assesses current/potential needs and intervenes as appropriate.
• Develops and implements a plan of care appropriate to the identified barriers of care.
• Coordinates with multidisciplinary team members to implement a plan of care.
• Provides complex social work services including individual, family and group counseling modalities and other recognized psychosocial therapies in assisting oncology patients and family members in adjustment to illness.
• Recommends appropriate resources.
• Collaborates with Integrative and Palliative Medicine to provide a holistic approach to symptom management, care coordination, mental health provider referrals and discussions around goals of care and end-of-life.
• Assists Oncology Support Services team members on an as-needed basis during unforeseen staffing shortages; ability to cross cover as needed in certain circumstances.
• Provides an advocacy role for patients and their family members to help communicate their concerns to the medical team.
• Provides field placement/practicum student supervision to interns on the role of social work in the oncology setting and assists them in completing initial psychosocial assessments and providing counseling support to oncology patients and family members.
• Attends educational in-services related to oncology and social work topics as appropriate for continued licensure and effective ongoing performance.
• Provides and facilitates completion of appropriate documentation for patient records in a timely manner.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and generous paid time off
• Free parking
• Monthly MTA bus pass subsidy-85% paid by GBMC "if applicable"
• Company subsidized onsite fitness and wellness center "if applicable"
• Pre-paid tuition to pursue professional development, additional certifications, and degree programs
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• 401 (a) and 403 (b) retirement savings plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level