Social Worker

The US Oncology Network•Washington, DC

10d

About The Position

The Social Worker provides counseling and supportive services to patients who need emotional and psychosocial assistance and connects patients and families with agencies and organizations offering emotional, physical, social, and financial services. The role supports and adheres to the US Oncology Compliance Program, including its Code of Ethics and Business Standards. The Social Worker provides therapeutic counseling, emotional support, crisis assessment and intervention, and psychosocial needs assessment and follow-up throughout the cancer-care continuum. The role collaborates with the medical interdisciplinary team, supports survivorship and value-based care initiatives, facilitates support groups, provides education and consultation to clinic staff, and advocates for patients and families navigating the health care system. The position also documents interventions in the electronic medical record and may participate in quality improvement, student supervision, or clinical supervision activities.

Requirements

Master's degree in social work from a school or program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Valid and current clinical social work license, such as LCSW.
Corrected vision and hearing to the normal range.
Ability to meet the physical demands necessary to perform the essential job functions, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of experience working as a clinical social worker in a health care setting is preferred.
Oncology, palliative care, and/or hospice experience is highly desired.

Responsibilities

Provide therapeutic counseling to patients, family members, and caregivers, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral issues as appropriate; document sessions and billing requirements when billing for services.
Apply knowledge of the psychosocial impact of cancer across diagnosis, advanced cancer, end-of-life care, and survivorship, including practical, relational, financial, caregiving, planning, psychological, and spiritual concerns.
Provide emotional support, crisis assessment and interventions, and non-pharmacologic support for pain, sleep issues, and other physical concerns.
Participate actively in the medical interdisciplinary team and communicate with team members to support identified patient and family needs.
Participate in Value Based Care initiatives, including distress and depression screening follow-up, advance care planning, end-of-life conversations, and transitions; document and meet billing requirements for advance care planning visits when applicable.
Assist and support patients and families with survivorship transitions and related issues.
Meet with patients and families to administer and assess psychosocial needs and provide appropriate follow-up, considering social support, community resources, and coping mechanisms.
Develop, maintain, and facilitate support groups for patients and families.
Coordinate support groups with local agencies and health care providers to avoid duplication and better address patient needs.
Educate clinic staff about the clinical social worker’s role in a medical practice and serve as a resource on psychological needs, social and behavioral determinants of health outcomes, compassion fatigue and satisfaction, and secondary trauma.
Provide information about community resources and help patients and families access services.
Develop and maintain working relationships with community agencies, health care organizations, and other providers to support patients and families.
Advocate for patients and families as they navigate the health care system and facilitate communication with the medical team.
Document all interventions accurately, appropriately, and promptly in the electronic medical record, including applicable billing documentation.
Provide professional presentations to groups and organizations about psychosocial and psychological aspects of the cancer experience.
Participate in quality improvement activities; may oversee staff activities related to social services coordination.
As appropriate, supervise MSW student interns, including candidate review, mentoring, and documentation training.
May provide clinical supervision to MSWs working toward clinical licensure when necessary and appropriate.
Demonstrate knowledge of age-specific physiological, psychological, and developmental differences among late adolescents, adults, middle-aged people, and older adults.