Patient Services

· Serves as point of contact to triage patients with high levels of psychosocial distress.

· Assists patients to access resources to ensure adherence to treatment plan, including transportation and lodging.

· Maintains comprehensive knowledge of community resources and acts as a liaison to appropriately link patients/families to health and social services, health insurance, public assistance, and other resources.

· Provides assistance in obtaining government entitlements, i.e. food stamps, Medicaid, SSI, SDI, Social Security, Medicare, FMLA.

· Knowledgeable of local and national financial resources and identifies appropriate patients for hospital and foundation assistance programs.

· Conducts individual and family meetings to address barriers to care and psychosocial distress.

· Consistently utilizes a holistic approach considering physical, psychosocial, spiritual, educational, safety and related criteria appropriate to the age of the patients served.

· Identifies and delivers culturally competent social work interventions.to patients/families to meet identified needs.

· Serves as a patient/family advocate around concerns such as patient confidentiality, informed consent, patient autonomy, and self -determination.

· Provides crisis intervention and supportive counseling to patients/families to support effective coping and positive outcomes.

· Documents assessments, interventions, and referrals in the health record according to documentation standards.

· Maintains current knowledge and practice according to standards identified in the NASW Code of ethics, NASW standards for social work practice in healthcare, and State regulations.

· Develops effective communication system with patients, community and referring physicians.

· Coordinates different providers responsible for furnishing services needed by the patient with cancer.

Patient Care- Therapy

· Provides individual and group therapy utilizing a variety of treatment modalities. Assumes responsibility for maintaining professional and clinical expertise.

· Provides education/information to patients, families, and referral sources.

· Demonstrates a commitment to understanding the physical as well as cognitive and emotional challenges of cancer and its treatment.

· Appropriately transitions clients to community-based resources.

Program Outreach

· Serves as an advocate in the community for cancer health promotion activities.

· Develops relationships with community partners to identify and optimize resources for high risk patients/families.

Basic UPH Performance Criteria

· Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies and procedures and safety guidelines.

· Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.

· Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.

· Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, TJC, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.

· Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.

· Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse. Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff. Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.

Minimum Requirements

Identify items that are minimally required to perform the essential functions of this position.

Preferred or Specialized

Not required to perform the essential functions of the position.

Education:

Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of Social Work.

Experience:

1 year of work experience as a social worker.

Five years of experience in healthcare preferred.

Two years of oncology-related experience preferred.

License(s)/Certification(s):

LISW Required

Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.

Current Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider Certification or equivalent.

Oncology Social Work Certification preferred, or commitment to obtain within 2 years.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

· Writes, reads, comprehends and speaks fluent English.

· Basic computer knowledge using word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and web browser.

· Ability to handle multiple interruptions and changing priorities.

Other:

Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position.