Medical Social Worker - Pediatric Oncology

Department Overview

The Pediatric Oncology Social Worker maintains an active caseload of approximately 80-90 patients who are engaging in active therapy. The social worker also supports a much larger inactive caseload that require intermittent, as needed, assistance. The social worker will provide counseling for issues of coping with life‑threatening illness, along with grief and loss counseling for transition to end‑of‑life care, which may entail short‑term and/or long‑term psychotherapy.

This position is located within the larger Pediatric Hematology/Oncology division, working closely with three other Hematology/Oncology Social Workers, including cross covering those positions as needed. This role requires an advanced level of clinical social work skills alongside the ability to work independently.

Remote work: one day of remote work per week is allowed. The Social Worker generally is expected to be in person at least half of their work time, depending on the expectations of their specific position. The social worker should have a private space at home, dedicated to work, and no Protected Health Information should be printed. Social Workers are expected to see patients in person, whenever possible, which may require coming to the hospital at short notice on a remote day.

• Conducts psychosocial evaluations of patients/families and significant others including, but not limited to, adjustment to medical or health condition; care coordination; mental health status; adjustment/compliance to treatment process; substance usage; child and elder abuse/neglect assessments; domestic violence issues; cognitive status (including potential guardian issues); and patient/family resources.
• Provides crisis intervention and supportive short‑term counseling to patients/families and significant others as necessary to meet immediate psycho‑social needs including family intervention (CODE Response); unanticipated change in health conditions/suicidal ideation; domestic violence, child and elder abuse/neglect.
• Provides grief/loss counseling and education regarding: actual/pending death of patient/family member; chronic/acute stress associated with life circumstances; loss of independence associated with illness or disability.
• Provides brief psychotherapy including individual short‑term psychotherapy; group work including information/support groups, family support, patient therapy.
• Provides patient advocacy and associated services to patient/family and other involved agencies/parties regarding decision‑making; advance directives; ethics consultations; court holds; guardianship/conservatorship; citizenship cases; and sociocultural factors.

• A Master’s Social Work (MSW) required.
• Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required for employees who practice clinical social work.
• Able to implement assessments, short‑term counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy.
• Excellent task prioritization, time management, and communication skills.

• At least 1 year hospital experience, preferably within a pediatric oncology or palliative care program.

• Healthcare Options – covered 100% for full‑time employees and 88% for dependents, and $25K of term life insurance provided at no cost to the employee.
• Two separate above‑market pension plans to choose from.
• Vacation – up to 200 hours per year depending on length of service.
• Sick Leave – up to 96 hours per year.
• 8 paid holidays per year.
• Substantial Tri‑Met and C‑Tran discounts.
• Additional Programs including tuition reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti‑racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.

To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr.