Cancer Center Social Worker

Plans, organizes and implements social work services for patients and families. Reports to the Director. Graduate of an accredited school of social work; Master's degree required. Must be licensed clinical social worker through State of Mississippi Sufficient previous experience in social work, preferably in health care, is desirable. Employee must demonstrate ability to recognize patients' individual needs based on medical condition, age (infants pediatrics, adolescents, young adults, middle-aged and geriatric), limitations and planned procedures. Requires ability to maintain records and to use independent judgment along with knowledge of community resources and customer relations skills. Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance programs, safety, environmental and infection control standards. Assesses patients through interviews with the patient, family, and other relevant sources to obtain information about home environment, family relationships, social support system, level of functioning, current community services, health history, and patient's personality traits. Uses patient assessment as a tool in developing a timely, goal-oriented discharge plan, and delineating appropriate interventions to reach the stated goals. Arranges home care services, home equipment, placement services, and transportation, according to the patient's needs, and as ordered by the doctor Collaborates with other hospital disciplines and agencies/facilities in the community in the development, implementation and accomplishment of the goals for optimum hospital and post-hospital care; monitors the discharge plan and evaluates progress toward plan goals, making any necessary changes, as indicated. Participates in Patient Care Conferences. Maintains and updates community resource lists, using facility/community resources to meet the patient's identified needs. Provides patient and family education/counseling, assisting patients and families in understanding, accepting, and following medical recommendations. Provides supportive counseling and crisis intervention, as appropriate. Discusses nature of illness and prescribed course of treatment with patients and families; communicates family issues to other staff members. Prepares and maintains required documentation on each case. Provides on-call Social Work coverage, as scheduled.