Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. These values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, anti-racism and inclusion.

The Social Worker I - Per-Diem is responsible for providing professional social work services (i.e., screening, motivational interviewing, brief interventions, counseling, resource identification and navigation) to adult patients and families. Collaborates with Fred Hutch partner institutions to ensure continuity of care across systems. Uses clinical judgment and problem solving skills to address patient and family emotional/psychological, social and developmental issues. Facilitates referrals to internal and community resources. Assists and advocates for patients, with concrete needs. Strives to achieve the highest in patient (customer) satisfaction. Supports the mission of Fred Hutch and its affiliates. Provides consultation to staff at Fred Hutch, Northwest Hospital, UW Medical Center, and to community resources as needed.

Responsibilities

• Supports the mental and physical health care of patients on an assigned patient caseload. Closely coordinate care with the patient's oncology providers and, when appropriate, other mental health providers (i.e. Fred Hutch Psychiatry/Psychology).
• Screens and assesses patients for common mental health and substance abuse disorders. Facilitates patient engagement and follow-up care. This includes screening for distress, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, substance use, and cognitive status.
• Provides emotional support (brief therapy, individual and family counseling, grief and loss counseling and crisis intervention). Actively uses evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, problem-solving treatment, motivational interviewing, or other treatments as appropriate.
• Provides patient education about common mental health and substance abuse disorders and the available treatment options.
• Supports psychotropic medication management as prescribed by medical providers, focusing on treatment adherence monitoring, side effects, and effectiveness of treatment.
• Systematically tracks treatment response and monitors patients (in person or by telephone) for changes in clinical symptoms and treatment side effects or complications.
• Tracks patient follow up and clinical outcomes using a registry. Document in-person and telephone encounters in the registry and use the system to identify and re-engage patients.
• Participates in regularly scheduled caseload consultation with the psychiatric consultant and communicate resulting treatment recommendations to the patient's medical provider.
• Documents patient progress and treatment recommendations in EHR so as to be shared with medical providers, psychiatric consultant, and other treating providers.
• Facilitates treatment plan changes for patients who are not improving as expected in consultation with the medical provider and the psychiatric consultant and who may need more intensive or more specialized mental health care.
• Provides patient education about common mental health and substance abuse disorders and the available treatment options.
• Collaborates and consults with medical teams regarding psychological, social and emotional issues, mental health conditions, substance related conditions, and considerations for care/treatment planning.
• Makes referral to internal services at Fred Hutch, local and regional support networks, and tangible needs resources.
• Coordinates with in-patient social workers to facilitate transition between in-patient, out-patient and home.
• Promotes needs for the culturally diverse and socially, intellectually or physically challenged patients.
• Assists medical team to effectively address disruptive behavior and help with developing Patient Care Agreements when necessary.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited graduate School of Social Work or equivalent clinical related degree field
• WA State Department of Health registration/certification/licensure
• Minimum of 3 years of health care experience
• Strong assessment and crisis intervention skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/families from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams
• Counseling individuals and families

Preferred:

• Experience working with oncology patients and family members/significant others
• Experience working with a multidisciplinary team
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy training
• Skills in screening for distress and mental health conditions, including substance use disorders
• Brief interventions training
• Motivational interviewing training
• Grief and loss training
• Bilingual

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

The hourly pay range for this position is from $50.50 to $75.73, which includes the per diem differential, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees access to a retirement savings plan, an employee assistance program, and paid sick leave (1 hour for every 30 hours worked).

Our Commitment to Diversity