Oncology Team Lead Social Work

Job Number:

35321

Location:

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital

Street Address:

417 W 3rd Ave

City, State:

Albany, Georgia

Zip Code:

31701

Department:

PPMH HEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY-ADMIN

Shift:

Days

Job Type:

Full time

Posted Date:

2026-10-26

Job Description Summary:

The Team Leader of Oncology Social Work and Psychosocial Program Development is responsible for the clinical/professional and administrative management of the Oncology/Hematology Social Work Service, Scope of program and supervision requires knowledge of various psychosocial service delivery models, operations, and regulatory compliance of cancer program related standards including Distress Management, Navigation, Survivorship and Palliative Care. The OSW Team Leader also serves in the capacity of providing direct patient care, providing psychosocial services to patients, families and caregivers facing the impact of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, through all phases of the cancer continuum as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team.

Description:

The Team Leader of Oncology Social Work and Psychosocial Program Development is responsible for the clinical/professional and administrative management of the Oncology/Hematology Social Work Service, Scope of program and supervision requires knowledge of various psychosocial service delivery models, operations, and regulatory compliance of cancer program related standards including Distress Management, Navigation, Survivorship and Palliative Care. The OSW Team Leader also serves in the capacity of providing direct patient care, providing psychosocial services to patients, families and caregivers facing the impact of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, through all phases of the cancer continuum as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team.

Qualifications
Master’s degree in Social Work. Required

Work Experience
Seven or more years of experience in social work pos MSW. Required
One or more years prior experience supervising Medical Social Work staff in the acute or non-acute setting. Required
Three or more years’ experience practicing in the field of Outpatient/Inpatient Oncology Social Work and/or Hospice. Preferred

Licenses/ Certifications
LMSW - Licensed Medical Social Worker - State Licensure Required
Or, LCSW- License Clinical Social Worker Required

Essential Functions
Documents and submits required information and data in a timely fashion.
Clearly and accurately documents designated processes, policies, products, service offerings, etc.
Ensures that documentation is tailored to expected readers / users.
Uses correct terminology.
Conforms to required style and format.
Supervises a group of social workers performing work at the MSW levels and below, including social work program coordinators.
Assists in planning, establishing, and implementing psychosocial policies and procedures, developing individual or group goals and objectives as well as monitoring, operating, evaluating, and overseeing the Social Work staff of the assigned program.
Schedules staff, prepares necessary work instructions, evaluates staff and counsels or disciplines per policy, resolves complaints and conflicts, develops performance improvement plans and quality initiatives.
Provides coaching and mentoring at the unit level, assisting staff in anticipating needs, prioritizing tasks, and providing assistance with difficult /complex cases. Intervenes as appropriate for MSW/BSW related tasks.
Participates in the hiring and training of new staff and arranges for ongoing staff development.
Assures staff competency is consistent and at the level of expected standards of practice.
Attends leadership meetings, represents the Psychosocial Department in workgroups, and other activities as needed.
Serves as the required Psychosocial Representative at Cancer Committee.
Ensures staff compliance with regulatory agency requirements for Commission on Cancer and National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. Stays abreast of regulations and relevant state and federal laws that impact related psychosocial activities, and provides ongoing education to staff, physicians and those appropriate to assure full compliance.

Provides oversight for all patient assistance programs funded through the Phoebe Foundation including medication, travel, lodging and crisis funding.
Works with Director of Nursing, other department leaders and staff to foster teamwork and accountability in the progression of the Psychosocial Team.
Prepares reports, summaries or written material related to SW functions, performance improvement project outcomes, or as requested by the Nursing Director, Administrator of Oncology or Medical Director.
Collaboration with the multidisciplinary team is expected by lending insight and social work expertise to given situations.
Develops and oversees standard operating procedure for mental health social work and social work case management for the Outpatient Oncology/Hematology setting.
The OSW Team Leader also provides direct patient care and maintains a patient case load.
Assess psychosocial needs, provide brief crisis intervention and counseling for cancer patients and families to improve functioning to cancer treatment. Interventions include distress screenings, psychosocial assessments of the full impact of illness, illness adjustment counseling, crisis intervention, individual, family and group therapy, concrete services/case management, and psycho-educational groups. Interventions also include the development of treatment plans with patient and caregivers to enhance optimal psychosocial functioning.
Provides crisis intervention services; determines appropriateness of hospitalization; assess patient's potential for lethality.
Provides therapeutic intervention for patients requesting mental health services.
Consults with medical provider regarding psychiatric medication and initiates referrals for psychiatric consultation.
Collaborates with cancer navigation and healthcare team on complex cancer patient cases.
Works effectively under stress; managing crisis, conflict, time management and personal and job frustration.
Responsible for creating outcomes for the patient and family by managing complex psychosocial and economic co-morbidities.
Provide education and consultation regarding resources, collaborate to develop a discharge plan and facilitate and monitor its implementation.
Through advanced practice skills mobilizes resources to reduce risk, serves as a liaison between the hospital and the community.

Utilizes appropriate community resources and systems to implement the plan.
Accountable for individual practice and delegation to provide optimum care.
Practices with compassion and respect.
Primary commitment is to advocate for the patient, family and community.
Assures patient safety through competency and growth of self and others.
Contributes to a healthy work environment through shared decision making.
Collaborates with other health professionals to meet healthcare