A social worker is a professional trained in the
treatment of social and emotional (psychosocial) concerns.
What services does a social worker
provide?
A social worker provides psychosocial services to
patients, families, and care partners facing the impact of their
cancer diagnosis or other health care difficulty. Social workers
are an integral part of the health care team. They work with other
hospital specialists to contribute to your overall treatment plan.
They provide:
- Individual, family, and group counseling to help with coping
and adjusting to lifestyle changes
- Referrals to local community and national organizations and
support groups that offer information and support to patients
- Lodging information
- Information about financial assistance programs including
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and other
programs
- Information about employment and disability benefits
- Assistance with governmental agencies and programs that help
people with disabilities, including the Social Security
Administration and Medicare
- Advocacy (They strive to ensure access to needed information,
services, and resources.)
- Psychosocial research
Assessment
Social workers complete a
thorough psychosocial assessment to help identify your needs and
concerns, as well as those of your family members and significant
others.
What type of training does a social worker
have?
Social workers have a Masters in Social Work (MSW)
degree, which provides theoretical knowledge, clinical expertise,
and practical experience with patients and families. In addition,
social workers receive specialized training in cancer care. The
letters LISW (Licensed Independent Social Workers) after a social
worker's name indicates the social worker has received a
higher level of specialized training.
This information was adapted in part from the
Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) Standards of Practice
and the National Association of Social Worker (NASW) publication,
"The Power of Social Work" (www.socialworkers.org)