SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST (10 HRS/WK DAYS)

The Social Service Specialist at Riverside Healthcare provides comprehensive psychosocial support to oncology patients and their families. This role involves assessing patients' emotional, social, and practical needs and connecting them with resources that enhance their quality of life during treatment. The Social Service Specialist is an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, offering counseling, advocacy, and coordination of care to help patients navigate the challenges of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Shift Requirements:

Part-Time Days | 10 hrs/wk

Essential Duties:

Patient Assessment: Conduct psychosocial assessments of oncology patients and their families to identify emotional, social, and practical needs.

Counseling and Support: Provide individual and group counseling to patients and families, addressing issues such as coping with a cancer diagnosis, treatment-related stress, and end-of-life planning.

Resource Coordination: Connect patients and families with community resources, support groups, financial assistance programs, and other services that can help alleviate the burden of cancer treatment.

Care Planning: Collaborate with the healthcare team to develop and implement comprehensive care plans that address the psychosocial aspects of patient care.

Advocacy: Advocate for patients' rights and needs within the healthcare system, ensuring that they have access to the services and support they require.

Crisis Intervention: Provide crisis intervention services to patients and families facing acute emotional distress or emergencies related to their cancer diagnosis.

Education and Outreach: Educate patients, families, and staff on psychosocial issues related to cancer, including coping strategies, stress management, and the importance of mental health during treatment.

Documentation: Maintain accurate and confidential records of all patient interactions, assessments, and care plans in accordance with regulatory and organizational standards.

Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure

Adhere to AIDET format and standards. Acknowledge and greet all customers timely with a professional and friendly demeanor.

Non-essential Duties:

Program Development: Assist in the development and implementation of psychosocial support programs and initiatives within the Cancer Treatment Center.

Staff Training: Provide training and support to healthcare staff on the psychosocial aspects of cancer care and the role of social work in oncology.

Community Outreach: Participate in community outreach activities to raise awareness about the psychosocial impact of cancer and available support services.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more so your journey at and away from work is remarkable. Our Total Rewards package includes: 

Compensation:

• Base compensation within the positions pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits - .5 to 1.0 FTE:

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

Benefits - .001 to .49 FTE:

• Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work

Required Experience:

• At least 2 years of experience in a social services role, preferably in a healthcare setting.
• Experience with patient advocacy, resource coordination, and crisis intervention is highly desirable.

Preferred Experience:

• Strong understanding of social services, community resources, and healthcare systems.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with patients and families.
• Ability to assess and address complex social and emotional issues effectively.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and electronic health record systems.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment

Required Licensure/Education:

• Bachelors degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field is required.
• Current and valid social work license (e.g., LSW, LCSW) is required.

Preferred Education:

• A Masters degree in Social Work (MSW) is preferred.
• Certification in social work or related fields is a plus

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements 

Exposure to: 

• Chemicals: NA 
• Video Display Terminals: Average 
• Blood and Body Fluids: Minimal exposure - to follow universal precautions. 
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Potential risk for exposure, however, the degree of exposure is to be determined on an individual basis. 

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch): 

• Speech: Needed for communicating, interviewing and counseling patients, families, staff and community agencies. 
• Vision: Needed to read memos and literature, and for interviewing and counseling.. 
• Smell: NA 
• Hearing: Needed for communicating, interviewing, and counseling. 
• Touch: Needed for documentation. 

Activity/Lifting Requirements 

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to: 

• Sit: 70% 
• Twist: 3% 
• Stand: 10% 
• Crawl: 0% 
• Walk: 30% 
• Kneel: 1% 
• Lift: 1% 
• Drive: 0% 
• Squat: 1% 
• Climb: 0% 
• Bend: 1% 
• Reach above shoulders: 1% 

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below: 

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 20 lbs: Not Required 
• Up to 35 lbs: Not Required 
• Up to 50 lbs: Not Required 
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required 
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required 
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required 

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.): 

• May occasionally carry books, charts, or printed material to specified locations for program set up. 

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity: 

• Sit: 378 
• Twist: 0 
• Stand: 54 
• Crawl: 0 
• Walk: 162 
• Kneel: 5.4 
• Lift: 5.4 
• Drive: 0 
• Squat: 5.4 
• Climb: 0 
• Bend: 5.4 
• Reach above shoulders: 5.4 

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated): 

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. 
• Normal weight occasional 
• Pushing &pulling Normal weight occasional 
• Fine Manipulation: Writing, use of computer keyboard, telephone use, push patient in wheelchair. 

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: None 

Environmental Factors &Special Hazards 

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent): 
• Inside hours: 8 
• Outside hours: 0 
• Temperature: Normal Range 
• Lighting: Average 
• Noise levels: Average 
• Humidity: Normal Range 
• Atmosphere: 
• Special Hazards: NA 
• Protective Clothing Required: None

Pay Range: USD $31.09 - USD $40.40 /Hr