Clinical Oncology Social Worker

The Oncology Clinical Social Worker may support patients who have experienced a cancer diagnosis and theirsupport people inpatient at OHSU Hospital. Social workers in this role will support adult cancer patients under the care of a physician at the Knight Cancer Institute and may fluctuate between inpatient and outpatient services. The OCSW will complete assessments provide resources and offer emotional/behavioral support for patients receiving medical oncology services and their support people. The OCSW may attend care rounds care conferences or other disease-specific team meetings as appropriate. Individuals will be expected to cross-cover for each other for planned and unplanned absences within work unit. Individuals may meet with patients and their support people in hospital rooms consult rooms virtually or by telephone.

The Oncology Clinical Social Worker (OCSW) is a mental/behavioral health clinician who operates as a core member of a multi-disciplinary oncology team. The OCSW offers social work intervention through direct treatment and/or coordination of needed services to patients and/or their families experiencing psychosocial adjustment difficulties associated with illness injury disability and related hospitalization. Interventions mayinclude: biopsychosocial assessment brief supportive counseling care coordination information/resource referrals crisis intervention and patient/support person(s) advocacy. The primary goal of the intervention is toassist patients in achieving maximum physical and psychosocial functioning using evidence- based interventions targeted at improving health and well-being for a variety of patients. The OCSW also provides

mental health support for patients support person(s) as they navigate adjustment to the patients illness advanced care planning palliative care needs and other difficult decisions related to cancer diagnosis/care also providing grief/bereavement support when appropriate.

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 statusbarriers to treatment process substance use child or elderabuse/neglect intimate partner violence concerns financial concernsand resource needs.
• The OCSW may participate in treatment team meetings or care conferences as the behavioral health clinician to support treatmentplanning.

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 caresettings.
• 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 oftreatment.
• 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.

Documentation:

• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of patient care activities in an efficient manner per department policies and workflows to ensure continuity of care.

• A Masters 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.

Job Related KnowledgeSkills and Abilities(Competencies):

• Healthcare experience
• Experience in behavioral/mental health counseling and application of brief short-term therapy strategies.
  • This requirement may be waived in lieu of an applicants lived experience.
• 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.
• Bilingual in Spanish (reading writing speaking proficiency)

• Health care experience preferred.
• 2 years Oncology Social Work Experience
• Experience as a behavioral health clinician in a healthcare setting
• Bilingual medical terminology proficiency.
• Bicultural
• Experience working with diverse identity populations.
• Licensed in Washington

Routine office:

Frequent interruptions in an environment of frequent change and fluctuationsMay be exposed to body fluids tissue possible radiation exposure and infectious processesSubject to computer work for several hours as neededAble to utilize office equipment within work area including computer smartphone and pager in-clinic working in a shared office environment.

For outpatient positions: Some opportunities for flexible remote work. Remote work at OHSU is a work arrangement under which an employee performs the duties and responsibilities of their position and other authorized activities from a non-OHSU location as part of their approved regular schedule. The OCSW is expected to be in-person all but one day of the work week unless FTE is 0.5 or less which requires on-site presence each day. Some specialty clinic positions may differ. The OCSW is expected to follow the terms outlined in the department Telehealth work agreement and may be required to come to the hospital/clinic at short notice on a remote day.

For CHO locations: Some travel may be required.

Benefits:

• Healthcare Options - Covered 100% for full-time employees and 88% for dependents and $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee
  
• Two separate above market pension plans to choose from
  
• Vacation- up to 200 hours per year depending on length of service
  
• Sick Leave- up to 96 hours per year
  
• 8 paid holidays per year
  
• Substantial Tri-met and C-Tran discounts
  
• Additional Programs including: Tuition Reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)