Clinical Social Worker

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

This position's work location is hybrid with two or three days per week remote. The selected candidate may only work remote days from a New England state (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI).

As a member of the Oncology team, the Clinical Social Worker, LICSW provides clinical psychosocial assessment and intervention, including crisis response, individual, couples and family consultation, therapy, and counseling, and short-term bereavement support under routine supervision of Clinical Lead Social Worker, LICSW.

The Clinical Social Worker, LICSW provides coordination of psychosocial services to patients/families in collaboration with other staff and providers in relevant settings of care. The Clinical Social Worker, LICSW, as deemed competent to do so, will provide support group facilitation.

Requires routine supervision, defined as a minimum of once per month scheduled with Lead Social Worker; may require more frequent supervision depending on experience, complexity, and diversity of patient cases, and as needed to meet the needs of the setting.

• Minimum Education:
  Master of Social Work (MSW)

  Minimum Experience:
  2 years social work practice; health care setting preferred with at least 1 year in an oncology setting or with oncology patients (other social work experience may substitute). Bilingual a plus.

  License/Certification/Registration:
  LICSW in MA (and state specific based on location).

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Collaborates in patient and family centered care through the continuum, facilitating the achievement of optimal quality outcomes in relation to clinical care and cost-effectiveness.
2. Collaborates with the health care team in achieving optimal patient care plan through identification of, and intervention on, psychosocial needs and barriers.
3. Provides coordination of psychosocial services to patients/families in collaboration with other staff and providers in relevant settings of care.
4. Collaborates with and provides consultation to interdisciplinary health care team regarding psychosocial issues confronting patients/families.
5. Identifies high-risk psychosocial factors of patients/ families that impact health status, coping and adjustment.
6. Provides recommendations, consultation and support to staff and providers to manage the influence of those factors upon the course of medical care.
7. Assumes responsibility for patients with complex psychosocial risk (e.g., domestic violence, protective services, frail elderly, disabled, co-morbid mental health conditions, etc.).

1. Assesses adaptation of families and caregivers to patients' illnesses, provides crisis intervention, consultation and short-term therapy as needed, and ensures maximum participation of patients/families/ caregivers in the continuum of care process.
2. Provides education/consultation regarding impact of cancer on patients and families to community, and provides consultation, education, and program development (e.g., support groups, psychoeducational forums, etc.) within the disease-based or service-based team and in collaboration with other care providers.
3. Provides clinical coverage in other social workers' absence(s).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of specialized support and interventions for direct care for DFCI patients with psychosocial needs related to impact of cancer or related diseases.
• Knowledge of common issues and needs across the oncology continuum of care, trauma- informed care.
• Knowledge of interdisciplinary teamwork and team dynamics, scope of key partnerships and interprofessional roles.
• Skilled at social work clinical psychosocial care concepts, practices, and policies with demonstrated ability to use them in broad range of situations; may require additional support to plan and implement across more varied and/or complex situations.
• Ability to facilitate patient and family participation in oncology care; ability to recommend team and/or family meetings; may lead given level of experience.
• Capacity for sensitivity, responsiveness to, and advocacy for, the needs of diverse populations in the setting of serious illness; including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, socioeconomic status, abilities, and sexual orientation.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.