Oncology Clinical Social Worker

Job description

Psychosocial Assessment:
• 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.

Patient Services:
• 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.

Supportive Counseling:
• 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.

Departmental Functions:
• Participates in Patient and Family Services department meetings/huddles and other assigned service meetings as a representative of the department and field of oncology social work.
• Contributes to the development and evaluation of new programs to meet department or patient needs, including participation in department committees or workgroups.
• Meets requirements to maintain Oregon SW licensure, including attending scheduled supervision sessions, conferences, and continuing education events.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of social work practices and principles.
• Participates in patient care rounds and care conferences as appropriate.
• Completes all OHSU/DNV mandatory education requirements and activities within established timelines.
• Maintain technology fluency and accessibility via department standard means (pager, phone, email, Teams, etc.).
• May provide support to patient care staff as needed.
• May also provide coverage within work unit

Other Duties as Assigned
• 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.
• 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.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):
• 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.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation
• Licensed in Washington
• Health care experience preferred.
• 2 years Oncology Social Work Experience
• Experience as a behavioral health clinician in a healthcare setting
• Bilingual/Second language proficiency
• Bicultural
• Experience working with diverse identity populations.
• 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.
• 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.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):
• 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.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation