How To Become An Oncology Social Worker
Dealing with cancer is a reality people face all around the world. In our video on World Cancer Day, we discussed projections by the International Agency for Cancer Research that suggest there will be a steady rise in new cancer cases in the coming years. While in 2012 there were 14 million new cases, by 2030 there will be 21 million, and by 2040 there will be 27 million.
This might prove a difficult statistic to address in America – we are already facing a potential oncology physician deficit. An article in the journal of Oncology about supply and demand for oncology services cites that in 2021, only 14.5% of oncologists were in their early-career stage while 21.1% were already nearing retirement age.
Bridging this gap means the United States needs more oncology service providers and, in particular, oncology social workers.
What oncology social workers do
Caring for cancer patients requires meticulous attention. The World Health Organization’s fact sheet on cancer stresses the importance of providing care specific to each patient’s case in order to improve their quality of life through medical care and emotional support.
Oncology social workers are highly specialized licensed professionals trained to help cancer patients meet these care needs. They assist clients and their families, working either in-person or remotely, assisting with available services, treatment facilities, case management, emotional counseling or connecting clients with other support networks.
Earning your degrees
Oncology social work takes several years of training. The first step is to earn your bachelor’s degree, which takes four years. While a bachelor’s degree in social work is preferred, any degree is acceptable. You could even look up online classes for social work programs if you haven’t earned your bachelor’s degree yet.
After your undergraduate degree, you’ll need to pursue a master’s degree in social work at a university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. This can be completed in two years.
Earning your license
To be able to operate as an oncology social worker, you’ll need to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LSCW) following a licensing exam. Each state has varying licensing processes, as well as certain requirements for earning and maintaining this certification. Telehealth provider Wheel states that a licensure application for LCSWs in New York costs $294, and you’ll need to renew it every three years. In Oregon, applications cost $460 and must be renewed every two years. The key point here is every state is different so do your due diligence.
Choosing the way you want to work
Oncology social workers have diverse options available to them. They have the option to provide their services either in-person or remotely. Working in-person fosters stability, routine and a more hands-on approach when dealing with serious cases, while remote work can provide more freedom and flexibility, helping to promote preventive medicine, and gives social workers a chance to work with patients across state lines.
Oncology social workers can also choose to specialize in certain areas. Some specialize in working with specific types of cancers. Those working remotely could specialize in emotional counseling and support. Some even choose to participate in certain advocacies, such as strengthening cancer awareness by promoting natural substances like Pao pereira, which the University of Kansas notes is used for cancer prevention.
At the end of the day, fighting cancer is extremely challenging. But there are many ways in which you can assist patients in coping with the disease. This is why years of training to become an oncology social worker can yield meaningful results when working with clients and their families.