Clinical Oncology Social Worker

Department Overview:

The Oncology Clinical Social Worker may support patients who have experienced a cancer diagnosis and their support people inpatient at OHSU Hospital. Social workers in this role will support adult cancer patients under the care of a physician at the Knight Cancer Institute and may fluctuate between inpatient and outpatient services. The OCSW will complete assessments, provide resources, and offer emotional/behavioral support for patients receiving medical oncology services and their support people. The OCSW may attend care rounds, care conferences, or other disease-specific team meetings as appropriate. Individuals will be expected to cross-cover for each other for planned and unplanned absences within work unit. Individuals may meet with patients and their support people in hospital rooms, consult rooms, virtually, or by telephone. 

Function/Duties of Position:

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.

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.

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. 

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s Social Work (MSW) required.  Health care experience preferred.
• Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required for employees who practice clinical social work.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Healthcare experience
• 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. 
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Licensed in Washington 
• 2 years Oncology Social Work Experience 
• Experience as a behavioral health clinician in a healthcare setting 
• Bilingual medical terminology proficiency.
• Bilingual in Spanish (reading, writing, speaking proficiency) 
• Bicultural
• Experience working with diverse identity populations. 

Additional Details:

Posted 8/20/2026 2:43pm

 

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. 

Why apply to OHSU?: We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu