The Oncology Clinical Social Worker supports patients at OHSU’s Community Hematology Oncology (CHO) clinics who have experienced a cancer or hematology diagnosis. The CHO clinic social workers may support patients at one or more of the CHO locations located around the Portland Metro area (NW, Tualatin, Beaverton, East Portland, and Gresham). Social workers in this role will support adult cancer patients and their support people, under the care of a physician at the Knight Cancer Institute. The OCSW will complete assessments, provide resources, and emotional/behavioral support for patients receiving medical oncology services and may consult as part of the outpatient Palliative Care team. The OCSW may attend tumor boards, clinic staff meetings or care rounds as appropriate. Individuals will be expected to cross-cover for their CHO social work colleagues for planned and unplanned absences. Individuals may meet with patients in exam rooms, consult rooms, infusion spaces, virtually or by phone. Individuals may also provide support to patients hospitalized at partnering hospitals (Legacy and Adventist).

 

The Oncology Clinical Social Worker (OCSW) is a mental/behavioral health clinician who operates as a core member of a multi-disciplinary oncology team. The OCSW offers social work intervention through direct treatment and/or coordination of needed services to patients and/or their families experiencing psychosocial adjustment difficulties associated with illness, injury, disability, and related hospitalization. Interventions may include: biopsychosocial assessment, brief supportive counseling, care coordination, information/resource referrals, crisis intervention, and patient/support person(s) advocacy. The primary goal of the intervention is to assist patients in achieving maximum physical and psychosocial functioning, using evidence-based interventions targeted at improving health and well-being for a variety of patients. The OCSW also provides mental health support for patient’s support person(s) as they navigate adjustment to the patient’s illness, advanced care planning, palliative care needs, and other difficult decisions related to cancer diagnosis/care, also providing grief/ bereavement support when appropriate.

Psychosocial Assessment:

• Conducts psychosocial evaluations of patients/support person(s) to identify needs and areas of support, including but not limited to: adjustment to cancer diagnosis, care coordination, mental health status, barriers to treatment process, substance use, child or elder abuse/neglect, intimate partner violence concerns, financial concerns, and resource needs.
• The OCSW may participate in treatment team meetings or care conferences as the behavioral health clinician to support treatment planning.

Patient Services:

• Refers patient/support person(s) to resources within and outside of the hospital for assistance (i.e. financial, housing, transportation, insurance, prescription assistance, etc.)
• Acts as an advocate for patients within the medical setting and the community
• Maintains knowledge of community resources for oncology patients
• May interact with the oncology social work specialist for assistance.

Supportive Counseling: 

• Provides brief short-term, evidence-based clinical behavioral health interventions to patients and/or their support person(s) in health care settings.
• Works to coordinate transition to long-term counseling support in the community for patients requiring long-term follow-up.
• Provides counseling to reinforce patients’ strengths and assist them in coping with a cancer diagnosis.
• Counsels patients to assist them in decisions related to treatment options and educates patients regarding anticipated social or emotional impacts of treatment.
• May participate in urgent situations by providing crisis intervention services to patients and/or their support person(s).
• May also conduct group work including support group facilitation to patients, caregivers, and/or staff.  

Departmental Functions:

• Participates in Patient and Family Services department meetings/huddles and other assigned service meetings as a representative of the department and field of oncology social work.
• Contributes to the development and evaluation of new programs to meet department or patient needs, including participation in department committees or workgroups. 
• Meets requirements to maintain Oregon SW licensure, including attending scheduled supervision sessions, conferences, and continuing education events.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of social work practices and principles. 
• Participates in patient care rounds and care conferences as appropriate.
• Completes all OHSU/DNV mandatory education requirements and activities within established timelines.
• Maintain technology fluency and accessibility via department standard means (pager, phone, email, Teams, etc.).
• May provide support to patient care staff as needed. 
• May also provide coverage within work unit

Other Duties as Assigned

• 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.

• Experience in behavioral/mental health counseling and application of brief, short-term therapy strategies.
  • This requirement may be waived in lieu of an applicant’s lived experience.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Clinical behavioral health skills including mental health assessment acumen and short-term counseling skills. 
• Crisis Intervention skills
• Effective communication skills, including conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated understanding of Trauma informed and patient-centered care. 
• Ability to practice with minimal supervision using sound clinical judgement.
• Demonstrated knowledge of anti-oppressive practices.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation
  

• Licensed in Washington
• Health care experience preferred.
• 2 years Oncology Social Work Experience
• Experience as a behavioral health clinician in a healthcare setting
• Bilingual/Second language proficiency
• Bicultural
• Experience working with diverse identity populations.

Routine office: Frequent interruptions in an environment of frequent change and fluctuations May be exposed to body fluids, tissue, possible radiation exposure, and infectious processes Subject to computer work for several hours, as needed Able to utilize office equipment within work area, including computer, smartphone, and pager in-clinic and remote. Comfortable working in a shared office environment.

For outpatient positions: Some opportunities for flexible remote work. Remote work at OHSU is a work arrangement under which an employee performs the duties and responsibilities of their position, and other authorized activities, from a non-OHSU location as part of their approved, regular schedule. The OCSW is expected to be in-person all but one day of the work week, unless FTE is 0.5 or less which requires on-site presence each day. Some specialty clinic positions may differ. The OCSW is expected to follow the terms outlined in the department Telehealth work agreement and may be required to come to the hospital/clinic at short notice on a remote day.

For CHO locations: Some travel may be required

 

Benefits:

• 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)
  

Posted: 10/23/2025 at 1:32pm

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.