Job Description

** General Summary**

Reporting to the Department Director, the Social Worker (Oncology) assumes responsibility and accountability for the patients in the cancer center and provides care to those patients with the social work process, and coordinates patient care with other healthcare team member. Performs psychosocial assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, and assists with discharge planning and referral to other services

** Principal Responsibilities and Tasks**

The following statements describe the general work performed in this role. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed.

1. Provides follow-up to distress screening and, as needed, comprehensive psychosocial assessments for patients and/or family members identified through distress screening and/or referrals from other multidisciplinary team members.
2. Provides counseling on financial resources for all referred patients in the cancer center
3. Develops a therapeutic framework for effective problem solving with patient and family. Responds to patient/family needs related to adjustment to illness, disability, critical care issues, end of life, grief, trauma, abuse and neglect, substance abuse, and mental health issues.
4. Identifies community services and resources available to patients and families and facilitates linkage with those services.
5. Collaborates with the Referral Source and communicates to him/her the progress and status of referred patients. Makes recommendations and revises plan based on continued evaluation and collaboration. Communicates proactively as appropriate and indicated.
6. Evaluates patient progress toward established goals and determines if immediate needs are being met, financial support, travel support, etc.
7. Integrates documentation into medical record and alerts care team of important documentation
8. Ensures timely, appropriate, and accurate evaluation and reporting of suspected child/elder abuse and/or neglect. Assesses for domestic violence issues and involves domestic violence program coordinator as indicated and appropriate.
9. Documents interventions in patient’s medical record following department standards.
10. Completes regular needs assessments of the patients and develops programs to meet those needs including educational programs, support groups, celebratory meetings, etc.
11. Facilitates, as needed, patient/family psychoeducational and/or support groups.
12. Stays abreast of the latest research on psychosocial oncology care and integrates this research into the standard of care.
13. Identifies gaps in the care for the whole patient and strives to provide and works toward multi-disciplinary solutions to address these potential gaps in care.
14. Does related work as assigned

Qualifications

** Education, Experience and Qualifications**

1. Master’s degree in Social Work accredited by Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

2. LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) licensure from the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.

3. Minimum one (1) year of related experience is required. Oncology Certified or 3 years in outpatient cancer center is preferred

** Knowledge, Skills and Abilities**

1. Demonstrate skill in a) general social work and/or case management practice areas; b) completing social work functions under supervision, including biopsychosocial assessment, resource coordination, case management, psychoeducation, referral, information gathering, therapy, counseling, mental health diagnosis, consultation, advocacy; c) effective critical thinking d) communications both written and oral; and e) age appropriate interpersonal interactions (patients may range from newborn to geriatric adult).

2. Ability to a) communicate and collaborate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders (i.e. colleagues, medical staff, liaisons, patient, family); b) assess, adapt, and calmly respond to changing and/or crisis environment; c) make decisions consistent with current policies, procedures, and ethical standards while operating under supervision; d) prioritize work assignments and manage time effectively to complete duties; and (e) understand and follow written and verbal instruction.

3. Adhere to the professional principles and standards of practice consistent with underlying core values of the profession, as outlined by the NASW Code of Ethics.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Compensation:

• Review the 2025-2026 UMMS Benefits Guide

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