Job Information
Covenant Healthcare MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER in Saginaw, Michigan
Covenant HealthCare US:MI:SAGINAW DAY SHIFT FULL TIME BENEFITED Summary:
The Oncology Social Worker (OSW) is a vital member of the Covenant Cancer Care Center interdisciplinary treatment team, specialized to provide a comprehensive approach to addressing the wide range of biopsychosocial-spiritual needs of oncology patients and their families. The OSW uses a range of therapeutic and other interventions, including counseling, crisis support, group work, and education to address issues in each phase of the cancer illness. The OSW may also provide education and training activities for staff and the community on topic areas of psychosocial concern. This individual demonstrates excellent customer service skills in alignment with the Vision, Mission, and Values of Covenant HealthCare and the commitment to Extraordinary Care for Every Generation.
Responsibilities:
Provides biopsychosocial-spiritual assessments and care to the oncology patient to determine the oncology patient's (and family's) strengths and needs relative to coping effectively with the cancer diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. The goal is to foster coping and adaptation of the cancer diagnosis and its effects to help the oncology patient maintain or improve their quality of life. Manages complex (high-risk) psychosocial situations. Using high risk screening criteria (Distress Tool, staff referral, etc.), the OSW identifies psychological, social, emotional, practical, and existential distress and responds to the oncology patient and their family in need of social work services. Assists to mobilize new or existing family, system, and community resources to provide social and emotional support to the oncology patient. Assists oncology patients in navigating through health care systems to help them achieve quality care. Assists to increase adherence to the recommended treatment by identifying/reducing potential barriers to care (for example, transportation, housing, financial barriers, and lack of health insurance), and linking the oncology patient to local, regional, or national resources. Provides therapeutic modalities to help improve the oncology patients' and family's coping skills and adjustment during pivotal transition points in the cancer care continuum: diagnosis, treatment protocol change, clinical trials, palliative care, end-of-life, survivorship, and/or cancer recurrence. These therapeutic modalities may include individual, family and group psychotherapeutic interventions, education, crisis intervention to help restore the capacity of social functioning, case management, coordination of services and bereavement counseling. Acts as a resource for education, awareness, and support to mitigate moral distress; burnout; grief and loss; and compassion fatigue among the oncology healthcare staff. Facilitates complex goals-of-care conversations to ensure shared treatment decision-making and effective patient-physician communication. Facilitates and organizes the cancer support groups provided at Covenant HealthCare's Cancer Care Center.
Other information: EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work is required. Current master's level clinical practice license of Michigan is required (LMSW). Specialized additional training and experience in facilitating therapeutic support groups in dealing with oncology or other life changing concerns, and in grief and loss. Minimum of (3-5) years MSW clinical experience in a healthcare facility, or therapeutic setting, preferred. Has exceptional understanding of treatment regimens for complex biopsychosocial-spiritual issues, including death and dying and bereavement processes. Has training, experience, and ease in providing and facilitating therapeutic support to individuals, families, and groups. Demonstrates ability to work as a member of