Oncology social worker
Oncology social workers, also known as cancer social workers, play a vital role in providing psychosocial support and emotional counseling to cancer patients and their caregivers. They are trained professionals with a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) and typically have substantial clinical experience, often supplemented with specialized training in cancer care. These social workers may focus on various types of cancer or specific patient populations, such as pediatric oncology or women's cancers like breast and ovarian cancer.
Their responsibilities include helping patients navigate the complexities of their diagnosis, providing case management, and coordinating support services tailored to individual needs. Oncology social workers act as liaisons between patients and the healthcare system, assisting with insurance coverage, accessing financial resources, and connecting families with community services and support groups. They also play a key role in discharge planning and can facilitate pathways to palliative care when necessary.
These professionals are commonly found in hospitals, cancer care centers, hospice services, and nursing homes, working collaboratively within the cancer care team to address the emotional, financial, and social challenges that accompany cancer treatment. Their culturally sensitive approach ensures they respect and accommodate diverse perspectives and experiences in the journey of cancer care.
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Subject Terms
Oncology social worker
ALSO KNOWN AS: Cancer social worker, certified social worker in healthcare, C-SWHC
DEFINITION: Oncology social workers provide psychosocial support, emotional counseling, and referrals for cancer patients and their caregivers.
Subspecialties: Oncology social workers may support patients with diverse types of cancer or specialize in caring for patients with a certain type of cancer. An example is a social worker who is employed in a setting dedicated to women’s cancers, such as breast, ovarian, or uterine cancers. Specialization may also be based on the age of the patients, such as pediatric oncology.
Cancers treated: Depends on the social worker’s specialization
Training and certification: An oncology social worker is a medical social worker with a Master’s of Social Work (MSW). This program generally requires two years of course study and about nine hundred hours of supervised clinical work. Classes include subjects such as human growth and development, social research, social policy, and methods of practice. Licensure varies from state to state. Oncology social workers receive cancer care training through continuing education, in-service education courses, and on-the-job training. Certification is voluntary through the National Association of Social Workers (certified social worker in healthcare, or C-SWHC).
Services and procedures performed: Oncology social workers are key in the cancer care team. They provide support and referral services tailored to the needs of cancer patients and caregivers. Oncology social workers are the liaison between the cancer patient and the healthcare system. They support cancer patients as whole human beings with diverse roles in their daily lives.
Some of the support services oncology social workers can provide are as follows:
- Help the patient understand the cancer diagnosis and deal with the emotional aspects
- Help set up counseling services
- Provide case management and discharge planning
- Maximize insurance coverage
- Aid the patient in obtaining and understanding prescription coverage
- Mobilize community services
- Help coordinate transportation services
- Access financial resources for equipment, medications, and support services
- Assist in applying for disability and social security benefits
- Make important referrals to community agencies and support groups
- Provide a pathway to palliative care if necessary
Related specialties and subspecialties: Oncology social workers practice in many settings. Hospitals that provide cancer care services usually employ oncology social workers. Freestanding cancer care centers, clinics, and oncology physician offices may provide oncology social workers for their patients and caregivers. Hospice services use oncology social workers in their residential or home care services. Nursing homes may contract with an oncology social worker to assist patients and families. Oncology social workers provide diverse resources and have a unique set of skills that deal with the emotional, financial, and social aspects of cancer treatment.
Bibliography
Christ, Grace, Carolyn Messner, and Lynn Behar, ed. Handbook of Oncology Social Work: Psychosocial care for People with Cancer. New York: Oxford UP, 2015.
Davis, Cindy. Oncology Social Work Practice in the Care of Breast and Ovarian Cancer Survivors. New York: Nova Science, 2009.
Gehlert, Sarah, and Teri Arthur Browne. Handbook of Health Social Work. 2nd ed. Hoboken: Wiley, 2012.
“How to Become an Oncology Social Worker - 2022 Guide.” Social Work License Map, June 2021, socialworklicensemap.com/social-work-careers/oncology-social-worker. Accessed 21 June 2024.
Kerson, Toba Schwaber, and Judith L. M. McCoyd. Social Work in Health Settings: Practice in Context. 3rd ed. Hoboken: Taylor, 2010.
Lauria, Marie M., et al. Social Work in Oncology: Supporting Survivors, Families, and Caregivers. Atlanta: Amer. Cancer Soc., 2001.
Marks, Julie. “Oncology Social Workers: Overview, Role, Skills.” Verywell Health, 6 July 2022, www.verywellhealth.com/oncology-social-workers-5271747. Accessed 21 June 2024.