Social Worker - Cancer Center (Full Time)

Overview

Serves as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide psychosocial assessment, social work services and counseling to patients and families facing the impact of a potential or actual diagnosis of cancer. Identifies environmental, emotional, and psychosocial barriers that may affect the quality of life of cancer patients and their families and assists with access to appropriate resources. Serves as point of contact for providers who diagnose and treat cancer patients to offer support, psychosocial assessment, education and linkage to community resources as appropriate.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.   

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

Patient Care

• Ensures that social and emotional needs of those with a potential or actual diagnosis of cancer and their families are met by providing (IOM 2008, Six Vital Oncology Social Workers Competencies):
• Systemic patient and family centered psychosocial screening and assessment
• Evidence-based psychosocial intervention
• Communication/problem solving/decision making
• Family and caregiver support and family conferencing
• Interdisciplinary team work and collaboration
• Advocacy and leadership: quality improvement and performance measures
• Actively collaborates with interdisciplinary team to:
• Identify each patient and family’s psychosocial needs
• Design and implement a plan of care that links patients and families with needed services, coordinates their care and engages and supports them in managing their illness and well-being
• Systematically follow, re-evaluate and adjust plan of care to reflect evolving needs of patients and families
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication skills with patients, families and interdisciplinary team members. Verbal communication is clear and precise. Written communication is done in a timely manner in the appropriate data base.
• Coordinates patient care by serving as the point-of-contact for ongoing psychosocial resources for patients and families throughout the care continuum - pre-diagnosis through treatment into survivorship. Communicates information regarding patient status and needs to providers and identified care team members. Collaborates with support services (palliative care, hospice, dietician, psychologist, chaplain etc) regarding how best to meet psychosocial needs. Collaborates with internal and community resources to provide assistance to patients/families for patient needs.
• Communicates pertinent information regarding patient issues with other members of the care team.
• Communicates with care/case managers, social workers, nurses, and/or providers about patient needs. Recommends services consistent with the patient’s care needs and benefits.. Recommends changes in patient care, clinical practice guidelines/care paths, which promote cost effective care while maintaining quality.
• Identify developmental, physical and psychological needs in providing age appropriate care or service. Evaluates patient for age-appropriate behavior, motor skills and physiological norms. Demonstrates ability to assess and apply age specific information. Evaluates age appropriate support systems for the patient/customer to meet their needs.

Quality and Performance Improvement

• Participates in performance improvement initiatives to assure positive patient outcomes based on current evidence-based standards and applicable regulatory standards.
• Works in collaboration with care team to develop and monitor clinical quality indicators and development of quality improvement action plan when indicated.
• Completes timely written reports upon request.
• Assists in assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of programs and services that support the quality of life of cancer patient and their families.
• Participates in Cancer Committee, as requested

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work 
• Iowa Social Work license, LBSW, LMSW, LISW
• Ability to work independently and self-direct work activities.
• Detail oriented and able to meet established deadlines.
• Demonstrates comfort in making presentations to and facilitating small to medium-sized groups (i.e. business, professionals, community agencies, etc.).
• Ability to collaborate across departments and with other non-profit organizations.
• Flexibility in schedule and availability for “after hour” events and programs
• Comprehensive knowledge of current clinical and specialized patient care concepts related to own professional area.
• Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons