Clinical Intervention in Oncology Social Work

$15.00 | CE Hours:3.00

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CE Course Description

Oncology social work has been a specialty within medical social work for over 40 years. Several historical events led to its recognition as a distinct profession, including the establishment of hospitals and cancer centers, and the integration of the social perspective of patients’ lives into their medical care by hospital social workers. As interest in the psychological, emotional, and social aspects of a cancer diagnosis increased in the 1970s, medical social workers became specialized in cancer care, and professional psychosocial oncology groups began to form. In 1984, the Association of Oncology Social Workers (AOSW) was established to enhance psychosocial services for people with cancer and their families and caregivers. Today, oncology social work is the primary professional discipline that provides psychosocial services to patients, families, and significant others facing the impact of a potential or actual diagnosis of cancer. AOSW’s Standards of Practice state that oncology social workers provide psychosocial services through clinical practice, including screening, assessment, and intervention, across all phases of the cancer experience. After a psychosocial evaluation is completed, one aspect of clinical practice is developing a multidisciplinary care plan that uses a range of interventions to address issues at each phase of the illness. This course will review some of the core competencies of clinical intervention in oncology social work, including applying theories to practice, providing supportive care for adjustment to illness, and facilitating communication with patients, families, and healthcare team members. This course expands on the first two Oncology Social Work Practice courses titled “Assessing Psychosocial Needs in Oncology” and “Clinical Assessment in Oncology Social Work.”

Author: Amy Colver, MSSA, MA, LISW

CE Course Objectives

  1. Describe theories of clinical practice and how they are used in oncology social work practice to provide counseling and emotional support to patients and survivors.
  2. Give examples of ways to monitor and provide supportive care to patients, caregivers, couples, and other family members regarding the adjustment to a cancer diagnosis, coping, role changes, the impact of treatment, including side effects and late effects, and/or the transition to end-of-life care.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of how to facilitate serious illness conversations and assist patients and families with advanced care planning.
  4. Identify ways to facilitate communication between family members and healthcare providers, while effectively working alongside other team members.
  5. Distinguish between psychoeducational, experiential, and psychotherapeutic support groups, and review facilitation skills.
CE Course Outline
  1. Section 1: Introduction (8 minutes)
  2. Section 1: Key Terms (5 minutes)
  3. Section 2: Theories and Therapies in Clinical Oncology Social Work Practice (90 minutes)
  4. Section 2: Reflection Questions (2 minutes)
  5. Section 3: Serious Illness Conversations (30 minutes)
  6. Section 3: Key Terms (5 minutes)
  7. Section 3: Reflection Questions (2 minutes)
  8. Section 4: Facilitating Communication Between Patients, Families, and Health Care Providers (12 minutes)
  9. Section 4 Reflection Question (2 minutes)
  10. Section 5: Collaborating with Supportive Services Team Members (10 minutes)
  11. Section 5: Reflection Question (2 minutes)
  12. Section 6: Facilitating Support Groups (10 minutes)
  13. Section 6: Reflection Question (2 minutes)
  14. References

Total Time: 180 minutes (3 hours)
Course Level: Introductory

Social Work Approval

Social Work CE Credit for this course is offered with the following approvals. Many state boards of social work will accept the approvals listed. Provider Approvals by state and license type can be found here.

  • Quantum Units Education is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, CAMFT Provider #89970, to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEP. Quantum Units Education maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
  • Florida board for Social Workers CE Provider #50-8650 (Quantum 'immediately' reports CE Credits to Florida licensees) 
  • Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, License No. 159.001261 approved CE Sponsor
  • Ohio CSWMFTB #RCST091701 approved CE Provider
  • Texas Board of SWE #5070 approved CE Provider
  • Quantum Units Education, #1289, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 01/03/2026 - 01/03/2029. Social workers completing this course receive 3.00 'General' continuing education credits.

To see other approvals in your state, see our state by state provider approval listings here.

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Added On: 02/06/2026

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