Oncology Social Worker

Position Overview:

Provides biopsychosocial assessment, crisis intervention, short term counseling, advocacy, and linkage to resources and planning for transitions of care for patients and their families/significant others of all ages in any patient care setting. Provides psycho-education and may facilitate support groups. Provides consultation on psychosocial aspects of care as a member of the interdisciplinary team; serves as a liaison to community programs and collaborates with the multidisciplinary treatment on discharge planning. May provide education to staff and other hospital departments and participates on committees as requested.

Job Description :

These Principal Accountabilities, Requirements and Qualifications are not exhaustive, but are merely the most descriptive of the current job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, staff changes, workload, or technical development).

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

PERFORMS BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENTS AND DEVELOPS A PLAN OF CARE FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES.
• In a timely manner, gathers appropriate data and formulates relevant assessment of patient and family’s medical, social, and emotional situations using effective interviewing techniques, direct observation, consultation with healthcare team, and review of the medical record.
• Establishes and periodically revises the plan of care on the basis of ongoing psychosocial assessment of patient/family's concerns, strengths, needs, clinical impressions, and issues specific to spiritual and cultural values.
• Appropriately gathers data reflective of the patient's and family's developmental stages and incorporates data into assessment and plan of care.
• Appropriately assesses for discharge planning resources.
• Appropriately assesses suspected situations of abuse and/or neglect.

PROVIDES DIRECT CLINICAL SERVICES, WHICH MAY INCLUDE DISCHARGE PLANNING/TRANSITIONS OF CARE, INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING, CRISIS INTERVENTION, FACILITATING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT GROUPS AND LINKAGE WITH RESOURCES TO PATIENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF AS INDICATED BY BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT AND PLAN OF CARE.
• Establishes therapeutic relationship while recognizing diverse cultural norms and spiritual values.
• Communicates effectively to empower patients/family’s to develop productive coping mechanisms, behaviors and thought processes.
• Identifies and effectively addresses resistance and conflict in work with patients. Intervenes to decrease tension and assist patient in evaluating non-productive behaviors.
• Demonstrates self-awareness by recognizing and monitoring personal values, boundaries, sensitivities and emotions to effectively intervene with the patient/family.
• Provides psycho-education to patient/family related to health literacy, transitions of care, and community resources.
• Provides education to interdisciplinary staff regarding high-risk and psychosocial aspects impacting patients/family.
• Identifies and provides linkage to community resources.
• Coordinates discharge planning/transition of care by providing resources and initiating referrals to appropriate agencies as needed.

ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF PATIENTS AND FAMILIES FOR SERVICES, ACCESS TO CARE, AND FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PATIENT’S SAFETY AND RIGHTS.
• Promotes the patient’s right to self determination. Assists the healthcare team in understanding the patient’s perspective.
• Advocates for culturally and linguistically competent care.
• Assists in identifying ethical issues, utilize the chain of command and/or refer to the Bioethics Committee.
• Appropriately intervenes in situations of suspected abuse and/or neglect.
• Advocates to address psychosocial barriers that impact transitions of care.

DOCUMENTS IN THE PATIENT MEDICAL RECORD AND OTHER HOSPITAL/ DEPARTMENT RECORDS IN AN ACCURATE, CONCISE, AND TIMELY MANNER.
• Maintains accurate, current, patient records using approved forms and format.
• Documents all assessments, plans, interventions, patient/family involvement, outside agency communication, interdisciplinary contacts and case closure according to social work and patient care area standards.
• Complies with all documentation and reporting requirements for risk management, mandated reporting and other medical/legal situations, in a manner consistent with confidentiality regulations and department standards.
• Submits patient billing forms (outpatient programs), administrative forms, and other information requests or reports to the department, other departments, and community agencies in a complete, accurate and timely manner.

ESTABLISHES AND MAINTAINS POSITIVE, EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER HOSPITAL DEPARTMENTS, MEDICAL STAFF AND COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES.
• Interprets clinical findings, promptly communicates assessment and plan of care updates. Collaborates with healthcare team and agency representatives, adhering to confidentiality guidelines.
• Responds quickly to requests, flexibly adapts to changing priorities, and keeps other departments informed of progress on patient referrals and other work activities to ensure efficient coordination of activities.
• Develops positive, productive relationships with healthcare team members and representatives of community agencies, effectively collaborating on process improvement activities and staff/community education.
• May serve as a member of hospital committees, such as the Bioethics Committee.

FOSTERS AN ENVIRONMENT OF MUTUAL SUPPORT AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT.
• Actively builds positive relationships throughout the department. Uses effective interpersonal communication skills.
• Flexibly adapts to changes in the work environment, resolves issues related to assignments and departmental functioning in a timely, positive and effective manner. Demonstrates a commitment to teamwork, by willingly accepting responsibilities and performing assignments beyond the immediate scope of routine duties.
• Actively participates in department activities including huddles, staff meetings, committees and task forces.
• Meets all applicable hospital and department standards for productivity, performance metrics, annual competency validation, safety education, licensure, and departmental performance/process improvement.
• Participates in orientation of new staff or interns. Provides guidance and case consultation to interns and colleagues.


EDUCATION:

Master's: Social Work

TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:

2 years recent relevant experience.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

Clinical skills in biopsychosocial assessment and clinical interventions, including crisis intervention, intervention with patient/family behavioral issues, grief counseling, supportive counseling, adjustment to illness, life review/end of life support, behavioral change therapy, motivational interviewing, short-term family counseling, group facilitation.

Collaboration skills and ability to work effectively on a team.

Skills in patient and family advocacy.

Knowledge of transitions of care and community resources.

Knowledge of post cute levels of care and resource needs for discharge planning

Knowledge of child, elder and dependent adult abuse, crimes against persons reporting requirements, and other significant regulations affecting clinical social work practice (e.g. Tarasoff, patient confidentiality).

Knowledge of behavioral health and the skills to assess mental health functioning, high risk behaviors, depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric conditions impacting hospitalization or transitions of care.

Knowledge of suicidal behavior, and the skills necessary to assess lethality, and to develop and implement an appropriate plan of care.

Knowledge of substance use and the skills to assess level of addiction, motivation for change, and to develop and implement an appropriate plan of care.

Knowledge and understanding of the influence of cultural and spiritual values in social work practice.

Knowledge and skills necessary to provide psychosocial care appropriate to the age-specific needs of newborns, children, adolescents, adults and elders.

Knowledge of palliative care, goals of care discussions, and the psychosocial needs of the patient and family at end-of-life.

Knowledge of bioethics and legal issues impacting patient care.

Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing.

Must demonstrate interpersonal and organizational skills, to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities and competing demands.

Proficient in using a computer to accurately enter and extract data, send and receive email, calendar appointments, and use task lists as will be using a variety of computer software programs.

Knowledge of local county/state/federal resources for at-risk population.


PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS:

See required physical demands, mental components, visual activities & working conditions at the following link:

Job Shift:

Days

Schedule:

Full Time

Shift Hours:

8

Days of the Week:

Variable

Weekend Requirements:

None

Benefits:

Yes

Unions:

No

Position Status:

Non-Exempt

Weekly Hours:

32

Employee Status:

Regular

Number of Openings:

1

Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.

Pay Range is $48.56 to $65.56 / hour

The salary range for this role may vary above or below the posted range as determined by location. This range has not been adjusted for any specific geographic differential applicable by area where the position may be filled. Compensation takes into account several factors including but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure and certifications, department equity, training and organizational needs. Base pay is just one piece of the total rewards program offered by Sutter Health. Eligible roles also qualify for a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment. Applicants for specific positions are still required to disclose certain convictions during the application process, and those convictions may also be considered in determining eligibility for employment in accordance with applicable law.