MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER - SEIDMAN CANCER CENTER

Summary

• POSITION INFORMATION
  • Position summary:
    • An oncology social worker is a health care professional who provides psychosocial services to patients, families and their significant others who are facing the impacts of cancer diagnoses. He/She will perform psychosocial assessments and provide interventions to patients, families and their significant others related to illness adjustment, coping mechanisms and discharge planning. The oncology social worker uses their training to provide age, cultural and spiritual specific care to their clients. They obtain this knowledge to identify each patient's unique treatment, self-management and care planning needs. They use psychosocial assessments to formulate accurate diagnostic impressions that are used to facilitate treatment and care planning needs. They act as patient advocates by recommending resources for patient's needs, This position requires an awareness of the community and hospital based resources. The oncology social worker must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide services appropriate to age groups according to specific chronological age, and/or psychosocial maturity for the patients and their families.. Oncology social workers must have a working knowledge of cancer treatments, the side effects of treatment, and the psychosocial impact on the patient and family. This skill set is a broad one, especially for those working in community cancer centers who are called on to help patients and families at all types and stages of illness and diagnoses. Oncology social workers may assist patients with a wide range of concerns, including issues faced by patients at high risk of cancer, those newly diagnosed, patients in active treatment, as well as helping with survivorship, palliative care, and end-of-life issues. Oncology social workers need to be knowledgeable about individual and family coping styles, resources, clinical interventions, and employ a myriad of other skills to help patients and families manage the multidimensional (emotional, financial, and physical) impact of a cancer diagnosis through their long journey. This management can range from distress and depression screening to assisting with transportation issues. It can encompass educating patients (and their caregivers) about stress management and self-care. It can entail working with adult patients and on how to talk about cancer in an age-appropriate way with their children or with employees on how to discuss their needs with their employers, and extend to finding community resources to assist with a number of problems. And, at times, it is sitting with a family facing the loss of a beloved family member.
• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Education:
    • Bachelors Degree, Masters Degree preferred from an accredited school of social work and a current licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) license Association of Oncology Social Work's (AOSW)
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    Required length and type of experience:
    • Two years case work experienced is required in a health institution, child welfare institution agency, psychiatric clinic, or family counseling service agency.
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    Required licensure, certification or registry:
    • Licensed Social Worker in the state of Ohio.