Counselor/Social Worker,Sr

The Pediatrics Hematology Oncology Senior Social Worker is an integral, leadership-level member of the interdisciplinary care team responsible for supporting pediatric and adult patients with cancer and bleeding disorders, as well as their families, as they adjust to diagnosis, treatment, and long-term survivorship or chronic disease management across the lifespan. This position provides advanced clinical social work services while directly overseeing two (2) Social Work staff and one (1) Case Manager and/or Volunteer Student, ensuring high-quality, compliant, and patient-centered care delivery.

The social work team provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient psychosocial support, including assessment, intervention, crisis counseling, resource development and referral, community outreach, education, quality improvement, and research-related support. The Senior Social Worker focuses on identifying bio-psycho-social concerns related to pediatric and adult diagnoses and treatments, and connecting patients and families to appropriate interventions, supports, and resources.

This role helps families leverage strengths and access local, state, and national resources to support overall well-being. Interagency collaboration with healthcare systems, community organizations, advocacy groups, and non-profits is essential to providing comprehensive patient services. A strong willingness to learn and problem-solve insurance-related issues, including coverage updates, payer nuances, financial assistance programs, and treatment- or medication-related expenditures, is critical to effective patient advocacy.

Throughout the disease trajectory, the Senior Social Worker assesses patient and family understanding of diagnosis, treatment plans, and anticipated outcomes. This position supports families around chronic and inherited illness, pain management, medication adherence, advocacy within healthcare, education, and employment systems, utilization of community supports, and transition from pediatric to adult care-particularly within the bleeding disorders program.

In addition to clinical and supervisory responsibilities, the Senior Social Worker coordinates and leads fundraising initiatives, patient support programs, and community engagement efforts, working closely with internal teams, foundations, donors, and community partners to enhance patient access, education, and support services. The position also coordinates and supports staff and patient/family participation in annual oncology and hematology camps, regional and national conferences, educational programs, quality improvement initiatives, and grant-related efforts, including staffing a week-long hematology summer camp each year.

As families travel from across New Mexico for treatment, the social work team assists with travel, lodging, and logistical support. This position ensures appropriate oversight and continuity of these services.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of and ability to apply social work theories, principles, and techniques
• As the Senior Social Worker, responsible for supervising, mentoring, evaluating, and providing feedback to two (2) social work staff and one (1) case manager and/or volunteer student
• Ability to provide leadership, guidance, and support to staff when navigating complex psychosocial cases, including involvement with CYFD, legal systems, or mandated reporting as needed
• Oversight of workforce operations including LoboTime review, approval/denial of leave requests, performance evaluations, and workflow coordination for direct reports
• Ability to apply effective assessment, interviewing, counseling, and crisis intervention techniques
• Ability to gather and analyze data needed to assess patient and family needs
• Ability to communicate effectively with the interdisciplinary treatment team regarding bio-psycho-social, cultural, and economic factors impacting patient care
• Ability to identify, coordinate, and utilize appropriate resources for patients and families
• Practices and promotes patient- and family-centered care
• Ability to build strong rapport with patients, families, medical teams, and community/non-profit partners
• Demonstrates strong communication skills with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and independent decision-making skills
• Knowledge of mandated reporting requirements and appropriate documentation standards
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare written and oral reports related to patient care
• Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities in a fast-paced clinical environment
• Demonstrates knowledge of de-escalation techniques and ability to apply them effectively
• Knowledge of hospital, medical center, and community resources to advocate on behalf of patient and family needs
• Practices cultural awareness, humility, and trauma-informed care principles

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check when working in a child classroom setting.
• CPR and Basic First Aid Certificate may be a requirement for some positions in this classification.
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
• If located at the UNM Children's Campus, successful candidate must pass a comprehensive post-offer, pre-employment criminal and New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) fingerprint background check, and a continued successful status will be verified by periodic future background checks.
• Must be employment eligible as verified by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Government Services Administration (GSA).
• May be subject to credentialing process; must maintain credentialed status, if applicable.
• Must maintain certification status.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, or an equivalent field; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Certification/Licensure: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or equivalent OR Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or equivalent OR licensure pending, as documented by temporary license.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferences

• Experience as a senior or lead social worker in a healthcare environment serving pediatric and/or adult patients
• Experience supervising or mentoring social work and/or case management staff
• Experience working on an interdisciplinary medical team
• Experience supporting patients with cancer, hematologic conditions, and/or bleeding disorders
• Experience with insurance coordination, coverage navigation, and financial advocacy
• Experience coordinating or leading community engagement, fundraising, patient support, or educational initiatives
• Experience presenting educational information to patients, families, staff, and healthcare professionals
• Experience providing social work services in community-based settings (e.g., schools, patient homes, camps, outreach events)
• Experience collaborating with regional and/or national healthcare organizations, advocacy groups, or foundations
• Experience participating in quality improvement initiatives, grant-supported programs, or research-adjacent efforts
• Experience with medical charting/documentation in a hospital or academic medical setting
• Team is flexible and supportive of applicants working toward licensure within a School of Medicine (SOM)-approved timeframe

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Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.