Social Worker (MSW) Oncology

Job Description

A Brief Overview

Responsible to plan, organize and implement social work services for patients and families that are medically and socially complex and greater psychosocial acuity; assuring that the medically related emotional and social needs are addressed on an individual basis. The Social Worker will facilitate quality care/education for patients and their families. Is skilled in counseling individuals and groups. Responsible to assess needs and facilitate plans with patients/families requiring intensive discharge planning. Maintains a current knowledge base of community agencies and resources to facilitate appropriate referrals. The Social Worker provides services in a compassionate, culturally competent and tactful manner in order to help facilitate access to and provide continuity of care and patient advocacy. Works collaboratively with other members of the multidisciplinary team.

What you will do

• Interviews patient and family members to obtain information about home environment, family systems, health history, and patient’s personality traits.
• Evaluates data gathered in terms of the medical plan of treatment, available social service programs, financial counseling and plan a pertinent therapy program that will provide maximum benefits and safety for each patient.
• Assists patients and families to understand, accept, and follow medical recommendations with emphasis on assisting patient to be medically compliant with care plan.
• Performs a variety of services such as advising on social problems, arranging for discharge or post-operative care at home, assisting patients/families needing placement into assisted living or nursing homes, arranges for transportation to appointments and treatments, and works to alleviate anxiety and fears of patients and family members.
• Conducts supportive visits by interviewing patients and their family members to obtain information regarding their response to their diagnosis including evaluation of strengths, coping skills, supports, characteristics of family, health history and personality traits. Prepares and maintains patient documentation in EMR.
• Maintains department policies, procedures, objectives, and quality assurance program, safety, infection and environmental control.
• Assists with data collection, analysis and reporting as required by the hospital, administrative council, care teams, JCAHO, and other agencies.
• Conducts individual, marital, family and group therapies as necessary. Coordinate care conferences as needed. Serves as the social work representative in multi-disciplinary team approach to patient care.
• Utilizes research findings to improve outcomes and support, and provide quality of life for patients and their families. Works collaboratively with Case Management in providing coordinated services, which facilitates continuity of care for our patients.
• Works with emotional problems including but not limited to assisting patients, residents and families with anxieties and stress caused by illness, admission to hospital/nursing home, crisis situations, difficulties in coping with physical disabilities, fears related to helplessness and death, the need for nursing home/assisted living/specialized care, and providing educational materials.

Essential Qualifications

The individual must be able to work the hours specified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily including having visual acuity adequate to perform position duties and the ability to communicate effectively with others, hear, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds. These requirements and those listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions, as long as the accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the employer.

Job Requirements

Required Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:

Master's in Social Work from an accredited program
Social Worker - Licensing Board An active license in the state of practice Upon Hire

Preferred Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience:

Qualified Mental Health Provider (QMHP) - Licensing Board active in the state of practice Upon Hire
1-3 years

Expectations and Standards

Commitment to the daily application of Avera’s mission, vision, core values, and social principles to serve patients, their families, and our community.

Promote Avera’s values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship.

Uphold Avera’s standards of Communication, Attitude, Responsiveness, and Engagement (CARE) with enthusiasm and sincerity.

Maintain confidentiality.

Work effectively in a team environment, coordinating work flow with other team members and ensuring a productive and efficient environment.

Comply with safety principles, laws, regulations, and standards associated with, but not limited to, CMS, The Joint Commission, DHHS, and OSHA if applicable.