Clinical Social Worker - MSW - Moakley Hem/Onc

Position Summary:

Under the clinical supervision of the Department Director and or Manager (or LCSW / LICSW), utilizes clinical social work techniques and theory to provide consultation, assessment, treatment interventions and advocacy for a diverse population of patients and their families. Utilizes a biopsychosocial approach to healthcare, while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams; to provide case management and crisis intervention for a wide range of complex social factors and determinants of health.

The role will be part of the Moakley Hematology Oncology Social Work Team, with a significant focus on supporting patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and providing psychosocial support to patients in the general oncology clinic. SCD is a genetic blood disorder characterized by misshapen red blood cells, leading to pain crises, organ damage, and other serious complications. Social workers in this role will provide emotional support, assist with navigating complex medical care, connect patients to community resources, address barriers to treatment adherence, and advocate for equitable pain management and comprehensive care.

In the general oncology clinic, the social worker will support patients and families coping with a cancer diagnosis by providing counseling, facilitating access to resources, assisting with treatment-related challenges, and addressing social determinants of health that may impact care

Position: Clinical Social Worker

Department: MSW- Moakley Hem/Onc

Schedule: Full Time, Monday-Friday 8a-4:30p

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Facilitate Monthly Support Group 1st Thursday of the Month (evening)
• Completes biopsychosocial assessments and other specialized trauma assessments, utilizing the department’s psychosocial assessment tool as a guideline.
• Provides brief, solution-focused interventions and develops safety plans with patients as needed.
• Provides trauma-informed, strengths-based, crisis interventions on behalf of patients and families as needed.
• Develops rapport and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Utilize Social Work techniques including motivational interviewing, reflective listening, and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral treatment to support patients and families.
• Utilizes Social Work techniques and theory to assist patients and families in coping with newly diagnosed and or chronic illness to achieve improved functioning and emotional state.
• Ensures that admitted patients (inpatient) and family remain apprised, involved, supported and treated through prescribed clinical relationship through at least weekly contacts and whenever a change in care or plan requires more contact.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively and proactively with multi-disciplinary medical teams and community providers on behalf of patients and families.
• Screens and assesses patients for needs regarding social determinants of health.
• Screens and assesses to identify protective needs relative to child/disabled/child abuse, intimate partner violence, and community violence.
• Reports any and all suspected cases of abuse and neglect and follows up to ensure patient receives timely comprehensive consultations and compliance with legal mandates.
• Provides referrals, counseling, case management and advocacy on behalf of patients and families relative to health issues: substance misuse, disabilities, mental health concerns, homelessness and end of life needs.
• Provides consultation and referrals relative to community resources and a broad range of services, including, but not limited to: healthcare support services, social services, financial assistance, child-care, housing, financial entitlements, clothing, transportation, food pantries, etc.

DUTIES:

• Utilizes the electronic health record (EPIC) and other IT interfaces as necessary to track and monitor patients.
• Begins assessment for an inpatient within 24 hours of referral and completes within two interviews or within seven working days of referral.
• Begins assessment for an outpatient as soon as patient permits and completes within two interviews.
• Completes assessment for an Emergency Department patient within four hours of discharge.
• Complies with departmental, regulatory, and professional requirements for documentation and data collection.  Submits department statistics and other records and reports within required time frames; when required.
• Maintains patient confidentiality according to hospital policy. Practices professional discretion when determining the inclusion of any patient information into medical record or department clinical record notes.
• Notes in medical record the exclusion of critical patient information and its availability.
• Documents each patient encounter in the medical record or the Department clinical record concurrently according to Department policies. Specifically, documents ongoing treatment work in the Department clinic records. Each recording shall include date, time, title and signature.
• Participates in social work committees and departmental work groups.
• Provides other administrative and special project assistance as required or assigned.
• Promotes a positive and collaborative work environment supportive of the hospital’s missions and goals.
• Remains knowledgeable of and follows appropriate policies, procedures, and work standards, including but not limited to, policy regarding hours of work, absenteeism, and tardiness.
• Attends hospital required and relevant meetings, training sessions or activities, as assigned.
• Attends scheduled staff meetings and in-service education program offerings with punctuality and consistency.
• Maintains competency in areas of responsibility to ensure quality of care.
• Ensure that MSW licensure remains active by obtaining continuing education units (CEUs) and in good standing. 
• All MSW and LCSW full-time social workers receive weekly supervision.
• All full-time social workers receive monthly administrative supervision.
• All full-time social workers are provided with monthly group supervision.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Performs other duties assigned or as necessary.
• Is flexible and adapts to changing departmental needs, including but not limited to, offering assistance to other team members, adjusting assignments, and other functions.
• Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards, guided by the NASW Social Work Code of Ethics, as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the hospital’s goals and mission.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

 (The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job.  The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Requires Master’s Degree (MSW) from an accredited School of Social Work to be obtained prior to employment.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Must sit for the Massachusetts Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Certification exam within the first 90 days from date of hire. Must obtain Massachusetts Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Certification within 6 months of hire.

EXPERIENCE:

Requires level of knowledge of Social Work process and community resources and agencies in relation to health, illness, and disability, generally acquired through one to two years on-the-job training.  Pre MSW experience will be considered.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of community resources and agencies that serve the adults, children and families.
• Advanced interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with various healthcare professionals, to develop and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Must be comfortable in a fast paced and dynamic work environment (sense of humor is valued).
• Ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary team.
• Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of racial and ethnic populations.  Bicultural/Bilingual competency a plus.
• Computer literacy with ability to use standard word processing, spreadsheet programs and e-mail (i.e. MS Word, Excel, Outlook) and web browsers.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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