Oregon Health & Science University·Portland, Oregon
Provide psychosocial assessments and evidence-based behavioral health interventions for oncology patients and their families. Coordinate care, offer crisis intervention, and advocate for patients within the medical setting and community.
Department Overview The Oncology Clinical Social Worker (OCSW) is a mental/behavioral health clinician who operates as a core member of a multi-disciplinary oncology team.
The OCSW offers social work intervention through direct treatment and/or coordination of needed services to patients and/or their families experiencing psychosocial adjustment difficulties associated with illness, injury, disability, and related hospitalization.
Interventions may include: biopsychosocial assessment, brief supportive counseling, care coordination, information/resource referrals, crisis intervention, and patient/support person(s) advocacy.
The primary goal of the intervention is to assist patients in achieving maximum physical and psychosocial functioning, using evidence-based interventions targeted at improving health and well-being for a variety of patients.
The OCSW also provides mental health support for patient’s support person(s) as they navigate adjustment to the patient’s illness, advanced care planning, palliative care needs, and other difficult decisions related to cancer diagnosis/care, also providing grief/bereavement support when appropriate.
The OCSW will participate in department and clinical team meetings.
The OCSW will practice in accordance with performance standards, ethical principles, and NASW/AOSW core values with a commitment to service excellence.
The OCSW may participate in or provide professional education programs within the agency and community, may provide supervision to social work interns, and may provide social work consultation to community agencies.
Patient and Family Services Department (PFS) is committed to providing an open and equitable recruitment process with the goal of recognizing diverse work and lived experience that will contribute to responsive patient-centered care and effective patient advocacy within the institution.
PFS strives for a department that reflects the diversity of the community served by the Knight Cancer Institute and welcomes applications from candidates who will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives.
The Oncology Clinical Social Worker (OCSW) supports patients at the Center for Health and Healing, building 2 and Radiation Medicine at Kohler Pavilion on the main OHSU campus who have experienced a solid tumor cancer diagnosis or hematology diagnosis.
Social workers in this role will support adult cancer patients under the care of a physician at the Knight Cancer Institute.
The OCSW will complete assessments, provide resources, and offer emotional/behavioral support for patients receiving oncology services, radiation treatment, and infusions.
The OCSW may attend tumor boards, multi-disciplinary clinics, and disease specific team meetings both virtually and in-person.
Additionally, some roles will require more extensive evaluations including the HAIP Psychosocial Assessment and Caregiver assessments for certain treatments.
Individuals will be expected to cross-cover other team members during planned and unplanned absences within the work unit.
Individuals may meet with patients and/or their support persons in exam rooms, consult rooms, infusion spaces, virtually, or by phone.
Function/Duties of Position 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.
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.
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.
Licensed in Washington 2 years Oncology Social Work Experience Experience as a behavioral health clinician in a healthcare setting Bilingual/Second language proficiency Bicultural Experience working with diverse identity populations. Additional Details 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.
7/8/2026 11:29am 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
Requires a Master's in Social Work (MSW) and a CSWA or LCSW license. Preferred qualifications include oncology social work experience and licensure in Washington.
Market context
In Oregon, behavioral-health peer support roles often see steady demand in community mental health, recovery, and crisis support settings. These positions are competitive because employers look for lived recovery experience, certification eligibility, and practical requirements like a valid Oregon driver’s license and background clearance. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save time, then confirm your certification path and gather documentation before applying.
Research Assistant
RN, Mother Baby Unit
Cardiovascular Radiologic Technologist, Cardiac Cath Lab