Oncology Social Services

The ripple effect of cancer touches every aspect of your life-- emotional, psychological, social, and financial. We know that the best care for our patients includes giving them support in every way. At Compass Oncology, you have ready access to oncology social workers at every phase of treatment. This provides patients and their families with a safe outlet to discuss their experiences and emotions. Our social workers assist with access to important community resources, including in-home care, transportation services, and support groups.

What makes our oncology social workers unique is that they are active members of your cancer care team who are always ready to assist. The support they provide takes many forms, from the practical to the emotional to the spiritual. Their focus is on the issues that are so important to the quality of life during and after cancer treatment. We encourage our patients to take advantage of this resource.

Meet the Compass Oncology Social Workers:

What is a Social Worker's Role for Cancer Patients?

Social workers work alongside your clinical care team to help you navigate your cancer journey. Part of the social worker’s role is to provide support and resources helpful to your care. Whether that involves a new cancer diagnosis, a reoccurring cancer diagnosis, or a blood disorder, we want to walk alongside you to ensure your needs are met so you can focus on taking care of you. They work hard to serve as each patients:

  • Advocate
  • Resource coordinator
  • Financial counselor
  • Psycho-social-emotional-spiritual support
  • Liaison, coach, and mentor

What Does An Oncology Social Worker Actually Do?

Our social workers have been about to help our cancer patients and survivors with:

  • Finding transportation to appointments.
  • Providing guidance on how to talk to their families about what’s happening.
  • Managing and overcoming depression or anxiety related to a cancer diagnosis. 
  • Adapting to a lifestyle with less independence or struggles with not being the breadwinner.
  • Worries about being a burden on your family and other caregivers.

Talking it out is the first step in developing coping skills. Oncology social workers provide a safe place for patients and family members to share their emotions and fears.

What Should I Expect During My Visit with the Oncology Social Worker?

During your first appointment, we spend time getting to know you. We will complete a needs and strength assessment where we identify what strengths and needs you are experiencing. We celebrate the strengths you and your family bring and we create a personalized care plan to assist you in meeting any needs. Some of the needs that we commonly identify and assist with are:

  • Financial concerns (e.g., medical bills, utilities, rent, etc.)
  • Insurance Barriers    
  • Transportation/Housing/Food
  • Limitations to independently perform activities of daily living care (e.g., bathing, dressing, cooking, etc.)
  • Self-Image/emotional or mental health (e.g., support groups/outpatient counseling/psychiatrist)
  • Personal relationships/family dynamics/caregiver support
  • Advanced Care Planning – documenting your healthcare wishes

As you move through cancer treatment and beyond, your needs will change but one thing won’t – the need for connection and support. We all need help whether healthy or ill. No one should ever have to go it alone and our oncology social workers are here to make sure you have what you need to reduce stress and maintain the emotional and mental well-being so important to treatment and life beyond cancer.

Specialized Support Groups

In order to serve the unique needs of cancer patients, our social workers host regular virtual support groups meetings via Zoom. The support they provide takes many forms from the practical to the emotional and the spiritual. Their focus is on the issues that are so important to the quality of life during and after treatment. 

For a full calendar of our support groups, visit CompassOncology.com/calendar