ONCOLOGY SOCIAL WORKER

The Oncology Case Management Specialist (RN) and Social Worker (SW), is a vital member of the Covenant Cancer Care Center interdisciplinary treatment team, specialized to provide a comprehensive approach to addressing the wide range of biopsychosocial-spiritual needs of oncology patients and their families. Uses a range of therapeutic and other interventions, including counseling, crisis support, group work, and education to address issues in each phase of the cancer illness. May also provide education and training activities for staff and the community on topic areas of psychosocial concern.

This individual demonstrates excellent customer service skills in alignment with the Vision, Mission, and Values of Covenant HealthCare and the commitment to Extraordinary Care for Every Generation.

Provides biopsychosocial-spiritual assessments and care to the oncology patient to determine the oncology patient’s (and family’s) strengths and needs relative to coping effectively with the cancer diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. The goal is to foster coping and adaptation of the cancer diagnosis and its effects to help the oncology patient maintain or improve their quality of life.

Manages complex (high-risk) psychosocial situations. Using high risk screening criteria (Distress Tool, staff referral, etc.), the OSW identifies psychological, social, emotional, practical, and existential distress and responds to the oncology patient and their family in need of social work services.

Assists to mobilize new or existing family, system, and community resources to provide social and emotional support to the oncology patient.

Assists oncology patients in navigating through health care systems to help them achieve quality care.

Assists to increase adherence to the recommended treatment by identifying/reducing potential barriers to care (for example, transportation, housing, financial barriers, and lack of health insurance), and linking the oncology patient to local, regional, or national resources.

Provides therapeutic modalities to help improve the oncology patients’ and family’s coping skills and adjustment during pivotal transition points in the cancer care continuum: diagnosis, treatment protocol change, clinical trials, palliative care, end-of-life, survivorship, and/or cancer recurrence. These therapeutic modalities may include individual, family and group psychotherapeutic interventions, education, crisis intervention to help restore the capacity of social functioning, case management, coordination of services and bereavement counseling.

Acts as a resource for education, awareness, and support to mitigate moral distress; burnout; grief and loss; and compassion fatigue among the oncology healthcare staff.

Facilitates complex goals-of-care conversations to ensure shared treatment decision-making and effective patient-physician communication.

Facilitates and organizes the cancer support groups provided at Covenant HealthCare’s Cancer Care Center.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

RN with a minimum of Associates degree in nursing with 2 years of bedside nursing, 5 years in an acute care setting and 5 years of case management experience OR RN with a bachelor’s degree in healthcare related field or will be working toward completion of bachelor’s degree within 6 months and completion of program within 3 years and have minimum of 3 years clinical experience.  RN with current license in State of Michigan OR Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school required and Limited or Licensed Master Social Work (LLMSW or LMSW) license with State of Michigan required or able to obtain within six (6) months of hire.

Minimum of three years’ experience in a healthcare facility or related community agency preferred.

Charge responsibility experience strongly preferred.

Has exceptional understanding of treatment regimens for complex biopsychosocial-spiritual issues, including death and dying and bereavement processes.

Has training, experience, and ease in providing and facilitating therapeutic support to individuals, families, and groups.

Demonstrates ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Demonstrates competence in Social Work practice.

Commitment to the ethical practice of Social Work as outlined in the NASW (National Association of Social Work) Code of Ethics.

Demonstrates critical thinking skills, analyzing multiple issues impacting outcomes, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage many situations simultaneously. Able to adjust to priorities that may change minute by minute.

Ability to form professional and effective relationships with patients, families, and colleagues.

Demonstrates strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork.

Demonstrates effective communication skills including in the provision of coherent documentation of Social Work services.

Demonstrates good computer skills.

Accepts responsibility for self-growth and professional behavior.

A professional approach to work, including a strong sense of responsibility for assigned duties.

Ability to manage conflict effectively, striving for win-win outcomes.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to maintain punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.

Frequent standing, walking, sitting, talking, hearing.

Occasional lift up to 100 lbs.

Occasional carrying, pushing, climbing, balancing, stooping.

Occasional kneeling, crouching, squatting, crawling, twisting.

Occasional reaching, handling, feeling, near vision.

Occasional midrange vision, far vision, depth perception.

Occasional visual accommodation, color vision, field of vision.