Responsible for providing psychosocial assessment, support to cancer patients and care givers along the cancer care continuum.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Provide psychosocial and support services to cancer patients and their care givers.
Conduct a comprehensive assessment of patient, caregiver, and/or family biopsychosocial spiritual needs and ongoing assessment of coping.
Assess and foster patient, caregiver, and/or family coping, resiliency, and adaptability skills.
Assess patient, caregiver, and/or family members understanding of treatment options, diagnosis, side effects, outcomes etc.
Promote and facilitate communication between patients, caregiver(s), and/or family – including talking to their children about cancer.
Utilize patient self-assessed distress screening tool to identify barriers of care, emotional concerns, and levels of distress. Review and follow-up with patients/families.
Assess patient risk for abuse/neglect and refer for appropriate services.
Assess, refer, and/or provide treatment for depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.
Collaborate with oncology team; assess and refer for substance use disorder.
Demonstrates knowledge of oncology specific and community resources. Make referrals as appropriate (transportation, financial assistance, housing, etc.).
Provide psychotherapeutic counseling for individuals, couples, families, and caregiver(s) to resolve relationship issues, coping difficulties, and other psychosocial stressors.
Facilitate goals of care/advanced care planning and end of life conversations.
Facilitate support groups including psychoeducation, experiential, and psychotherapeutic groups.
Required:
1. MSW from an accredited school of social work.
2. NJ LSW or LCSW required.
3. Previous medical hospital social work and oncology experience strongly preferred.
4. Certification as Oncology Social Worker strongly desired
5. Bilingual is highly desirable.
Preferred:
1. Maintains current knowledge of trends and advances in clinical practice and healthcare informatics, as well as new developments and innovations in hardware and software technology.
2. Demonstrated initiative, problem identification, resolution and analytical skills are essential, as well as excellent oral and written communication skills