Pediatric Resource Specialist

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute • Boston, MA, United States • $200k - $250k / year • 1m ago

This position resides in the Pediatric Resource Program and is responsible for the delivery of resource assistance and guidance to families of patients being treated in the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer & Blood Disorders Center. This includes referrals to appropriate local, state, and federal assistance programs as well as help with applications for assistance to non-profit foundations. This position will work directly with patients and their families in both inpatient (Children’s Hospital) and outpatient (Dana-Farber, Children’s Hospital, and Brigham & Women’s Hospital) settings.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

This position’s work location is onsite with one day per week remote during the three-month training period and then two days per week remote after the training period. The selected candidate may only work remote days from a New England state (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI).

Meets new families on inpatient floors at Children’s Hospital, including the ICU, and outpatient settings, including the Jimmy Fund Clinic, and conducts assessments of families’ financial status/eligibility for concrete resource assistance and documents in electronic medical record.
Refers families for assistance from appropriate resources within the hospital and via programs and foundations in the community. Serves as patient/family advocate and as liaison between hospitals and the resource community.
Assists with services such as accommodations, transportation, parking, and accessing financial assistance.
Provides ongoing resource support to inpatient families, including meeting with them regularly in person.
Frequently writes letters of advocacy on behalf of patients-families in areas such as utilities, housing, immigration, and financial aid.
Makes timely referrals to community agencies, as appropriate, and coordinates and communicates regarding a wide range of social agencies such, MassHealth, Rian Immigrant Center, and Health Law Advocates.
Responsible for detailed record keeping in database of patients seen along with internal and external resource assistance that program has helped families access, including initial Resource Assessment note from patient’s medical record and correspondence with community resources.
Follows and keeps current with eligibility guidelines and rules with respect to internal and external resources. Also maintains current data on available internal and external resources.
Helps eligible bereaved families access financial aid to help pay for patients’ funeral expenses.
Collaborates with inpatient and outpatient clinical care teams, including case managers.
Assists in training of newly hired Resource Specialists.

Bachelor’s degree required, major in social work or healthcare/human services preferred.
1+ years of experience in a social work or related field preferred. Undergraduate experience may count towards work experience.
Fluency in Spanish preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, attention to detail and record keeping, and ability to work independently are essential. Must be skilled in relating to a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and provide empathy in difficult interpersonal situations.
Ability to interface with adults and children ranging in age from newborns to young adults.
Ability to understand and maintain boundaries with patients and families.
Able to multi-task and capable of problem-solving complex issues on a daily basis. Must be proficient in online research, email, and MS Office, particularly Excel and Word.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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