Social Worker - Oncology

Beth Israel Lahey Health•Cambridge, MA

5d•$74,880 - $100,776

About The Position

The Oncology Inpatient Social Worker provides clinical social work services that support patients and families, promote continuity of care, and address individual psychosocial needs. As a core member of the care team, the social worker collaborates with multiple disciplines to promote optimal biopsychosocial care. The role involves inpatient, outpatient, and, as the assigned setting requires, community or virtual environments. It includes regular exposure to emotionally intense situations such as trauma, grief, crisis, and end-of-life care, as well as some exposure to infectious diseases and potentially agitated or aggressive behavior. The employee must follow safety procedures. Schedules may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call rotation as required by the assigned setting.

Requirements

Current Massachusetts Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license, maintained throughout employment.
At least one year of post-master’s clinical social work experience.
Knowledge of Massachusetts health, behavioral health, protective services, benefits, and post-acute care systems.
Promote the organization’s WE CARE values: Wellbeing, Empathy, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Equity.
Demonstrated commitment and actions to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Adhere to safety procedures in environments with some exposure to infectious diseases and potentially agitated or aggressive behavior.

Nice To Haves

Clinical social work experience in a hospital, health system, or behavioral health setting is preferred.
Experience in the assigned practice setting is preferred.
Proficiency with the electronic health record and Microsoft 365 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Complete timely biopsychosocial assessments of patients and families, identifying strengths, risk factors, cultural considerations, support systems, and barriers to care.
Screen for and assess risk of harm to self or others, abuse, neglect, exploitation, intimate partner violence, and substance use, using standardized tools where established.
Provide crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and evidence-based brief therapeutic interventions; within the scope of the LCSW license, formulate clinical diagnoses and provide psychotherapy as the assigned setting requires.
Develop and document an individualized psychosocial plan of care with measurable goals, in collaboration with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary team.
Lead or contribute to discharge and transition planning from admission or first contact, coordinating with nursing, case management, physicians, and post-acute providers, and escalating barriers to safe, timely discharge.
Connect patients and families to hospital and community resources, including housing, transportation, financial assistance, behavioral health services, home care, insurance, and benefits.
Facilitate family meetings and goals-of-care discussions, and support advance care planning, health care proxy, and guardianship processes.
Fulfill Massachusetts mandated reporting obligations (DCF, Elder Protective Services, DPPC) and assist with legal processes such as Section 12 and court involvement per hospital policy.
Document assessments, interventions, and plans in the electronic health record accurately and within required timeframes, maintaining confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
Participate in rounds, huddles, and quality-improvement activities; provide consultation and education to staff on psychosocial issues, trauma-informed care, crisis response, and community resources.
Perform all other related assigned duties.