Social workers and nurse navigators
A cancer diagnosis affects more than just the body. Our social workers and nurse navigators provide a whole-person approach to care, offering emotional support, practical assistance and advocacy to help you navigate your journey with confidence.
How a social worker can help you
Our team of social workers is here to provide an essential layer of support.
Social Workers can provide support
When you or a loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, it can feel overwhelming. Our team of social workers is here to provide an essential layer of support. Whether you need emotional support, help with practical needs or connections to community resources, we are ready to assist.
We can help you adjust to your diagnosis, offer extra support during treatment and work with you to overcome barriers to care, whether they are financial, geographic, cultural, transportation-related or systemic. Your social worker will also be available to assist in times of crisis and ensure you have access to resources that can help make your journey a little easier.
Our social workers can:
- Evaluate crisis situations and provide behavioral health assessments.
- Address elevated depression and distress screenings.
- Educate and assist with advance care planning, including living wills, medical and mental health power of attorney and DNR status.
- Assist patients with applying for AHCCCS, Social Security Disability, Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) and nutrition services.
- Provide support for new diagnoses and adjustment to illness.
- Refer to palliative care/hospice and educate patients and families on end-of-life issues.
- Provide substance abuse resources and smoking cessation counseling.
- Support and provide resources to patients’ families and caregivers.
- Assess barriers to care, including transportation and community services needs.
How nurse navigators support you
From diagnosis to treatment and beyond, our nurse navigators provide critical support, education and advocacy.
Nurse navigators can guide you
Nurse navigators work closely with your care team to ensure your needs are met every step of the way.
Your nurse navigator will check in with you after you begin new treatments, help manage any side effects and make sure you have the information and resources you need along the way.
Our nurse navigators can:
- Support patient care needs from initial diagnosis, during treatment and into surveillance.
- Address distress screen assessments.
- Contact patients after they start new treatments.
- Provide education and symptom management support.
- Collaborate with provider team members to ensure patient needs are met.
- Engage community resources and make referrals.
- Maintain a proactive approach to patient care needs.
- Provide support for palliative care/hospice and end-of-life needs.
- Advocate for patients and caregivers.
