Description

Purpose:

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is internationally recognized for its leadership in the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer and is the region's only comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute.

As the preeminent institution in western Pennsylvania for the delivery of cancer care, the performance of basic, translational, and clinical research, and the education of the next generation of cancer researchers and physicians, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is exceptionally well-positioned to contribute to the global effort to reduce the burden of cancer.

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is currently hiring a Manager, Social Work to oversee Social Work operations at the Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside/Pittsburgh, PA.  

This position will work a Monday through Friday daylight schedule and will be responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the personnel providing social work intervention to patients and their families based on the assessment of individual social, psychological, and economic needs.  

The incumbent directs the identification, assessment, treatment, and referral of patients and their families in need of social work intervention.

Responsibilities:

• Takes a leadership role in the overall direction of all activities related to social work practice and the provision of social work services within the facility.
• Provides psychosocial expertise to the healthcare team. Identifies high-risk patients and families and provides clinical services to individuals, families and groups related to psychosocial issues.
• Provides input to budgeting activities related to staff and operations. Accountable for appropriately administering special care funds as they relate to social work practice / patient and family need.
• Ensures consistent, quality social work services throughout the hospital coordinating appropriate staffing and scheduling to provide appropriate levels of service required to meet the needs of patients, families and staff.
• Responsible for the performance evaluations and competency of all social workers in area of responsibility. Coaches and mentors staff, enforces performance standards, provides disciplinary action and terminates staff as needed in collaboration with the Director. Takes a leadership role in the recruitment, hiring, orientation, training and retention of new social work staff.
• Maintains and reviews current policies and procedures related to social work. Recommends and develops new policies and procedures as needed in collaboration with manager, director and Corporate Care Management staff.
• Supports the Director in coordinating social work services in collaboration with care management practice within the facility.
• Coordinates social work student activities in collaboration with staff who act as Field Instructors and field liaison faculty from local colleges or universities with Schools of Social Work.
• Responsible for following the mandatory reporting procedures for any incident or serious event that did affect or potentially could have affected the clinical care of any patient.
• Works collaboratively with staff to provide clinical supervision, develop population specific social work expertise as well as develop programming related to psychosocial issues in clinical areas.
• Oversee the social work component of any quality initiatives related to the provision of social work services or social work practice. Handles patient / customer complaints as they relate to social work practice.
• Remain abreast of changes and advances in the field of Social Work, legislation related to current practice, insurance coverage issues as well as current knowledge of community programs and services and effectively communicates these changes to staff and administration.
• Provides social work expertise/consultation to hospital staff, community and others requesting such services. Demonstrates the ability to effectively intervene with medically and psychosocially complex patients with the ability to understand complex dynamics related to the clinical situation.
• Organizes staff development programs for social workers as well as non-social work staff both within and outside of the organization.
• Coordinates social work services with other disciplines within the organization and represents the discipline of social work on hospital, community or other committees of interest.
• Fosters positive relationships with community facilities and agencies. Functions as liaison between these agencies and the hospital. Works with Director to identify and eliminate service gaps.
• Assist patients and families with navigating the healthcare system, including insurance and workplace disability
• Provide a supportive, open counseling environment for patients and caregivers during and after transplant
• Provide emotional support and assess social needs of patients and families prior to transplant via telephone calls and meetings with patients
• Provide accurate, timely and appropriate documentation of all social work interventions in medical records
• Uphold the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics
• Assist patients with community resources, especially financial assistance, support groups, educational materials.
• Provide bereavement support to families when necessary
• Using modalities of crisis intervention and brief goal directed therapy, assist patients and families to utilize coping and problem solving skills
• Educate and advocate for patients to enhance their ability to make informed decisions regarding medical treatment, advanced directives, and end-of-life care
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team for best patient outcomes through open communication
• Complete comprehensive psychosocial assessments for patients and families during intakes for stem cell transplants

Qualifications

• MSW from a CSWE-accredited School of Social Work is required.
• 5 or more years of relevant social work experience is required.
  • 2 or more years of supervisory experience is required.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Certified Case Manager (CCM) OR Clinical Social Worker (CSW)
• Act 34


• UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

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