Psychosocial Program Specialist

City of Hope

Duarte, CA

Job posting number: #7103828 (Ref:10017097)

Posted: October 20, 2022

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment organization for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hope’s translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution.  AccessHope™, a subsidiary launched in 2019 serves employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hope’s specialized cancer expertise.

A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope is ranked among the nation’s “Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report and received Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California and in Arizona.

City of Hope’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We believe diversity, equity and inclusion is key in serving our mission to provide compassionate patient care, drive innovative discovery, and advance vital education focused on eliminating cancer and diabetes in all of our communities.  Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ensures we bring the full range of skills, perspectives, cultural backgrounds and experiences to our work -- and that our teams align with the people we serve in order to build trust and understanding.  We are dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity - in ideas, backgrounds and perspectives; this is reflected in our work and represented in our people.

Position Summary

The Psychosocial Program Specialist role is a unique opportunity for a highly motivated mental health clinician with programmatic experience to join one of the largest Departments of Supportive Care Medicine in the country at City of Hope.  

The Psychosocial Program Specialist will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of experts to develop an innovative, first of its kind program, for patients and partners affected by life-threatening illness.  

The program will build upon a proven model of care for patients and partners that is fully integrated as an essential part of medical care and focuses on the inherent strength of patients and their partners. The program has received national and international recognition.  

Additional training on the clinical framework and program will be provided as part of the onboarding process. 

The Psychosocial Program Specialist (PSPS) is a program leader and has a specialty clinical expertise. The PSPS is responsible for developing, leading, and expanding a program that provides a model of patient care that focuses on providing patients/caregivers with supportive counseling, psychosocial assessments, therapeutic interventions, education, and community resource support information.  This position may provide clinical supervision to MSWs and/or BSW/MSW students and/or facilitation of support groups. The PSPS provides mentorship in their area of specialty and program development in collaboration with social work management.  This position involves active leadership; participation in multidisciplinary program development and evaluation; multidisciplinary treatment modalities; emergency/crisis response; and on-call rotation (if applicable). The PSPS actively works to ensure optimal delivery of psychosocial care and seeks out performance improvement initiatives, either through direct involvement and committee membership or by leading performance improvement efforts.  The PSPS is expected to lead in education and training programs, policy writing, and/or research and program development.

Key Responsibilities include:

  • Proposes, designs and leads service delivery models that are sustainable and replicable and meet a specific gap in service.
  • Creates programs that differentiate the Department of Supportive Care Medicine and City of Hope and advances the organization's strategic goals.
  • Contributes to the research focus with evidenced based program design and data collection plans.
  • Provides timely, appropriate, reliable, and respectful social work services to patients and families.
  • Delivers quality of care consistent with professional and City of Hope standards.
  • Uses effective decision-making, evaluation and problem-solving skills in managing patient care, hospital, and administrative needs.
  • Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills; excellent documentation skills of all activities/decisions related to patient care in compliance with State, National and Joint Commission standards/regulations.
  • Provides skilled psychosocial support and crisis management for patients throughout the continuum of care:  diagnosis, living with cancer, recurrence, end-of-life, and survivorship.
  • Respectful understanding of cultural differences and diversity.
  • Acts as an effective liaison for appropriate referrals to other services within the Department of Supportive Care Medicine including:  psychiatry; psychology; supportive and palliative care; pain management; spiritual care; patient navigation; and patient, family & community education.
  • Must demonstrate proficient team-building skills, effectively negotiating and willing to compromise as needed, to resolve issues and respectfully reach a consensus.
  • Acts as an ambassador to the profession by effectively articulating the role and expertise and by actively participating in community and professional organizations.
  • Meets and maintains all professional and regulatory standards; exemplifies and promotes the core values of the Department of Supportive Care Medicine.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Basic education, experience and skills required for consideration:

Minimum Education     

  • Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an approved California Accredited School of Social Work or master’s in a related field (ex: psychology, marriage, and family therapy)

Minimum Experience:

  • Five years relevant experience, or
  • Two years relevant experience with a dual master’s degree in a healthcare related field

Req. Certification/Licensure:     

  • Registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or
  • Licensure in a related field (ex: psychology, marriage, and family therapy), or
  • Dual master’s degree in related healthcare field and licensure as noted above within two years of hire or promotion to the position

Preferred Education:    

  • Doctorate in social work or related healthcare field.

Pref. Certification/Licensure:    

  • Advanced certification in relevant field.

Additional Information:

  • As a condition of employment, City of Hope requires staff to comply with all state and federal vaccination mandates.
  • Full Time

City of Hope is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. #LI-LK



City of Hope is a community of people characterized by our diversity of thought, background and approach, but tied together by our commitment to care for and cure those with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The innovation that our diversity produces in the areas of research, treatment, philanthropy and education has made us national leaders in this fight. Our unique and diverse workforce provides us the ability to understand our patients' needs, deliver compassionate care and continue the quest for a cure for life-threatening diseases. At City of Hope, diversity and inclusion is a core value at the heart of our mission. We strive to create an inclusive workplace environment that engages all of our employees and provides them with opportunities to develop and grow, both personally and professionally. Each day brings an opportunity to strengthen our work, leverage our different perspectives and improve our patients’ experiences by learning from others. Diversity and inclusion is about much more than policies and campaigns. It is an integral part of who we are as an institution, how we operate and how we see our future.


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