Overview
Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provides biopsychosocial assessment and intervention, crisis intervention, coordination of psychosocial services, and consultation, to reduce cancer-related distress and improve quality of life for patients, families, and caregivers across the trajectory of cancer care; this includes those patients seen for screening for high risk of developing cancer and/or a diagnosis of cancer through to end of life and/or survivorship in collaboration with community mental health partners. Assesses adaptation of families and caregivers to patient’s illness and ensures maximum participation of patients/families/caregivers in the continuum of care process. Provides clinical interventions that are focused on cancer-related distress, are evidence based, goal oriented, strengths based, and short-term and episodic in nature to ensure patient equity and accessibility to social work interventions; modalities include individual, family, and group work. Identifies and addresses high-risk psychosocial factors as well as psychosocial strengths of patients/families/caregivers that impact health status, coping and adjustment (e.g., suicidal or homicidal risk, domestic violence, disabled, child or elder abuse and neglect, physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities, serious mental health conditions, etc.). Responsible for facilitating complex serious illness and goals of care conversations to ensure shared treatment decision-making and effective patient-physician communication. Responsible for identifying and communicating systemic inequities, their impact on patients, families, caregivers, and the community at large and providing recommendations for systemic change.
Responsible for demonstrating commitment to diversity and equity efforts, including advocacy and self-education to advance knowledge base of the needs and concerns of underserved and marginalized populations. Communicates clinical assessment and recommendations and provides consultation and support to interdisciplinary health care team. Initiates collaboration with interdisciplinary team to manage psychosocial barriers that limit patients’/families’/caregivers’ ability to access and/or engage in recommended medical care. Provides education/consultation regarding impact of cancer on patients and families/caregivers to community, and provides consultation, education, and program development (e.g., support groups, psychoeducational forums, etc.) within the disease-based or service-based team and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team. Responsible for evidence-based facilitation of patient and/or family and/or caregiver support programs or groups. Provides in-person and/or telehealth services to patients and families/caregivers; method of communication (i.e., in person/phone/Zoom video) is based on clinical assessment. Provides clinical coverage in other social workers’ absence(s).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Education:
Master of Social Work
Minimum Experience:
4 years social work practice required; health care setting preferred with at least 2 years in an oncology setting or with oncology patients (other social work experience may substitute).
License/Certification/Registration:
LICSW in MA (and state specific based on location).
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: No direct reports, competent to clinically supervise LCSWs and Social Work trainees (e.g., interns, fellows); will supervise as needed to meet the needs of the Division.
PATIENT CONTACT: Yes
At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
Pay Transparency Statement
The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.
For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
$97,683.00 - $110,448.00