Oncology Counselor - Oncology Navigation

Overview

The Oncology Counselor and Social Worker is a core member of the oncology navigation and supportive care team, providing comprehensive psychosocial assessment, clinical counseling, and resource navigation for adult cancer patients, survivors, families, and caregivers. This role delivers therapeutic counseling, crisis intervention, and practical support throughout the cancer journey, addressing emotional, social, financial, and psychosocial barriers that may affect the quality of life of cancer patients and their families. The position collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care and supports transitions across the continuum, including diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care.

Responsibilities

Clinical Counseling & Psychosocial Support

• Conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments, identifying emotional, social, and behavioral needs.
• Provides individual, family, and group counseling (in-person and via telehealth) to support coping, resilience, and adherence to treatment plans.
• Delivers crisis intervention and supportive counseling for oncology-related issues, including non-pharmacologic support for pain, sleep, and distress.
• Develops and implements goal-directed care plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
• Utilizes evidence-based interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy and brief therapies.
• Documents all assessments, interventions, and referrals in the health record according to standards.
• Participates in distress and depression screening, assessment, evaluation, and follow-up.
• Engages in advance care planning and end-of-life conversations.
• Identifies and addresses risk management issues, involving appropriate hospital and community agencies as needed.
• Ensures timely, thorough, and concise documentation that meets payor and regulatory requirements.

Resource Navigation & Case Management

• Assists patients in accessing resources for transportation, lodging, financial assistance, and insurance.
• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of community, hospital, and national resources; acts as a liaison to connect patients/families to appropriate services.
• Provides education and assistance with Advance Directives, end-of-life planning, and legal documentation.
• Advocates for patient rights, confidentiality, autonomy, and informed consent.
• Supports patients and families with transitions to survivorship and end-of-life care.
• Active member of the medical interdisciplinary team, ensuring ongoing communication to facilitate understanding and support of patient/family needs.
• Works collaboratively to develop and implement coordinated care plans.
• Participates in team meetings, family conferences, and quality improvement activities.

Program Outreach & Quality Improvement

• Promotes oncology support programs and services within the organization and community.
• Organizes and facilitates psychosocial programming for youth and families (e.g., Kids Konnected).
• Participates in public relations, educational events, and professional associations.
• Engages in ongoing professional development and maintains knowledge of regulatory standards and best practices.

Qualifications

Certifications:

• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR);
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR),
• Driver's License - Illinois Secretary of state (ILSOC)

Education: Master's Degree: Counseling, Social Work; Clinical Psychology.

Work Experience: Social worker in healthcare setting; Clinical healthcare

Other Requirements Writes, reads, comprehends and speaks fluent English Ability to handle multiple interruptions and changing priorities Demonstrate basic knowledge of medical and cancer terminology Demonstrate basic knowledge of health system operations Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office Advanced reading skills Advanced writing skills Advanced oral skills Professionalism Relationship management

Carle Health Company Overview

Find it here.

Discover the job, the career, the purpose you were meant for. At Carle Health, we're committed to fostering a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered, where passion and purpose come together to positively impact the lives of our patients and our communities. Find it all at Carle Health.

Our more than 17,000 team members and providers work together to support patient care across central and southeastern Illinois.  We’ve grown to include seven, award-winning hospitals across eight hospital campuses and a multispecialty provider group with more than 1,500 doctors and advanced practice providers. We’re developing the next generation of providers and healthcare professionals through Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College. Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle Physicians Group, Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center including Carle Eureka Hospital and associated Carle Health Medical Group clinics all hold Magnet® with Distinction designation, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital and Carle Health Pekin Hospital all hold the exclusive Magnet® designation.

We offer opportunities in several communities throughout central Illinois with potential for growth and life-long careers at Carle Health.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Carle Health participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. | For more information: [email protected].

Salary Range

The compensation range for this position is $29.29per hour - $50.38per hour. This represents a good faith minimum and maximum range for the role at the time of posting by Carle Health. The actual compensation offered a candidate will be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, qualifications, location, training, licenses, shifts worked and compensation model. Carle Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for team members and providers. To learn more visit careers.carlehealth.org/benefits.