Counselor - Adult School

The Young Adult (YA) Vocational/Educational Counselor provides education and career counseling services to young adult cancer patients, focusing on school, work, and financial barriers. The role conducts structured assessments, provides individualized counseling and resource navigation, and supports patients in understanding and pursuing academic and workplace accommodations. This position develops and delivers educational and vocational programming and maintains relationships with internal and external organizations. The counselor tracks program delivery and outcomes to inform evaluation, quality improvement, and related research activities.

This is a hybrid role at our Longwood campus location.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Provides individualized counseling to young adult patients regarding educational planning, career exploration, and return-to-school/return-to-work decision-making, incorporating patient goals and psychosocial considerations as part of the comprehensive Young Adult Program.

Conducts vocational/educational needs assessments and career interest/skills assessments; develops individualized plans.

Supports navigation of education-related logistics, including school applications, coordination of academic accommodations, and connection to disability/accessibility offices as appropriate; helps patients understand documentation needs and communication strategies.

Assists patients with work-related concerns, including workplace accommodations, leaves of absence, and return-to-work planning.

Provides resource navigation related to financial concerns tied to education and employment, including identifying scholarship and financial aid resources and connecting patients to programs that may reduce financial burden.

Designs, implements, and delivers educational, vocational, and financial programming for young adult patients; maintains current resource materials and ensures content is accessible and relevant; maintains relationships with internal and external organizations as appropriate.

Develops and maintains tracking and documentation processes to evaluate program utilization and outcomes; contributes to quality improvement and collaborates with staff/faculty on research or program evaluation initiatives, including preparing summaries or reports as requested; participates in onsite programming and occasional events outside regular business hours as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to support patients around educational and vocational decision-making.

Ability to conduct structured needs assessments and translate findings into programming.

Knowledge of common academic accommodations and accessibility supports, and workplace accommodation concepts.

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with patients, caregivers, clinicians, and multidisciplinary partners.

Excellent written communication skills, including documentation, resource materials, and program communications.

Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple patient needs and program responsibilities concurrently.

Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and exercise sound judgment regarding escalation, consultation, and referral.

Strong collaboration skills.

Ability to develop and implement a new program.

Comfort using common software tools (e.g., Microsoft Office/Outlook) and databases/tracking systems; ability to learn new systems as required.

Demonstrated commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and culturally responsive practice when working with diverse populations.

Minimum Job Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Higher Education, Public Health, or related field required. Master's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Higher Education, Public Health, or related field preferred. 2 years of relevant experience providing counseling, advising, or case management in healthcare, higher education, vocational rehabilitation, or related setting; experience working with adolescents/young adults and/or individuals with serious illness required.

License/Certification/Registration Required

Relevant licensure/certification preferred as appropriate to scope of practice.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No

Patient Contact

Yes

Special Working Conditions

Role will be on site at Longwood.

Dana‑Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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