Social Worker (GW/DC Location)

The US Oncology Network; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 69,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland Oncology Hematology is seeking a dedicated Master’s-level social worker to provide emotional and psychosocial support to patients and families impacted by cancer. You will collaborate with the medical team, participate in care planning, and help patients navigate survivorship and community resources.

The role requires a CSWE-accredited MSW, 3–5 years of healthcare experience (oncology preferred), and an LMSW license or progress toward LCSW.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in a health-care setting; oncology/palliative/hospice preferred.
• Valid and current state LMSW or pursuing state clinical license (LCSW) with associate license/Plan of Supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and supportive services to patients and families requiring emotional and psychosocial assistance.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the psychosocial impact of cancer across the care continuum and related practical implications.
• Act as an active member of the medical interdisciplinary team and communicate with colleagues to support patient needs.
• Participate in Value Based Care initiatives including distress screening, end-of-life conversations, and care planning.
• Assist patients and families with survivorship transition and access community resources.
• Document interventions accurately in the EMR and provide education to clinic staff on MSW roles.

Skills

Counseling

Communication

Team collaboration

Advocacy

Education

Master's degree in Social Work

Job description

Overview

We’re looking for passionate and talented professionals to join our team in providing exceptional cancer care. If you’re dedicated to making a difference for patients, physicians, and colleagues, we want to hear from you! With 15+ locations across Maryland and DC, we offer a dynamic and supportive environment where you can grow and thrive.

Join Our Team at Maryland Oncology Hematology!

The general pay scale for this position at MOH is $68,571.43 - $105,600.00 per year The actual hiring rate is dependent on many factors, including but not limited to prior work experience, education, job/position responsibilities, location, work performance, etc.

Provides counseling and supportive services to patients requiring emotional and psychosocial assistance. Provides knowledge of agencies and organizations offering emotional, physical, social, and financial services to patients and families. Supports and adheres to the US Oncology Compliance Program, to include the Code of Ethics and Business Standards.

Responsibilities

• Provides emotional support to patients and families, including therapeutic counseling and crisis assessment, as well as non-pharmacologic support for pain, sleep issues, and other physical concerns.
• Demonstrates a strong knowledge of the psychosocial impact of cancer on the patient and family system throughout the continuum of cancer care, including at diagnosis, advanced cancer, end of life care, and survivorship. Demonstrates knowledge specific to practical implications such as financial distress, changes in relationships/roles, custody planning, caregiver demands, advance care planning, psychological distress, and spiritual/existential distress.
• Active member of the medical interdisciplinary team. Ensures ongoing communication with team members to facilitate understanding and support of identified patient and family needs.
• Participates in and contributes to Value Based Care initiatives by participating in distress and depression screening assessment, evaluation, and follow-up; advance care planning and end-of-life conversations and transitions.
• Assists and supports patients and families with transition to and issues associated with Survivorship.
• Meets with patients and their families to administer, assess, and provide appropriate follow-up of psychosocial needs assessments. Considers social support, appropriate community resources, and coping mechanisms.
• Develops, maintains and facilitates support groups to enhance the quality of care and support to patients and their families.
• Coordinates support groups with local agencies and health care providers to prevent duplication of services and to better address the needs of the patient population.
• Provides education to clinic staff regarding skills and knowledge specific to the role of a masters-prepared social worker (MSW) in a medical practice; serves as a resource and expert to clinic staff and providers in managing patients with psychological needs, the impact of social and behavioral determinants on health care outcomes and in addressing issues such as compassion fatigue/satisfaction and secondary trauma amongst staff.
• Provides information about appropriate community resources to patients and families to assist them in accessing a wide variety of services.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with community agencies, health care organizations, and other providers to promote a broad base of support for patients and families.
• Acts as a patient/family advocate in negotiating the health care system. Helps to facilitate communication between patient/family and medical team.
• Documents all interventions in EMR accurately, appropriately and timely.
• Provides professional presentations to groups and organizations to facilitate public understanding of the psychosocial and psychological aspects of the cancer experience.
• Participates in quality improvement activities. May oversee the activities of staff providing coordination of services for patients.
• May supervise MSW Student Interns; review candidates, mentor, and proper documentation training.
• Demonstrates knowledge of age-specific differences in the patient population that include late adolescence, adulthood, middle age, and the elderly. This includes physiological, psychological, and developmental differences unique to each group.

Qualifications

Master's degree in Social Work from a school or program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Minimum three- to five-years’ experience preferred, working as a masters-prepared social worker in a health care setting; oncology, palliative care and/or hospice experience desired.

Valid and current state master’s-level license (i.e., LMSW) or working towards state master’s clinical-level license (i.e. LCSW) with an associate’s license and/or Plan of Supervision, required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires exposure to communicable diseases, medical preparations, and other conditions common to an oncology/hematology clinic environment. Requires frequent interaction with patients and families, physicians and clinic staff, and external agencies and organizations.