2024 CMS Reimbursement for Principal Illness Navigation (PIN) and the Certified Oncology Social Worker (OSW-CTM)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established coding and payment for Principal Illness Navigation (PIN) services in January 2024. The competencies delineated in the CMS rule are components of the OSW-C Competencies and validated through obtaining the Certified Oncology Social Worker (OSW-CTM) certification. Read more.
Claiming CEUs for The 2024 ASWB Social Work Census Survey
The ASWB is conducting a nationwide survey of the profession – The Social Work Census. Social workers who complete the survey are awarded two (2) CEUs. For those applying for initial or renewal of certification, BOSWC will allow the CEUs to be claimed under Domain 3: Professional Advocacy and Political Action. Completion of the survey does not constitute “demonstration of oncology social work practice” and may NOT be claimed under the Demonstrated Practice requirement.
BOSWC Candidate Management Platform Reminder
Login to boswc.roc-p.com to apply, renew, or update your profile/contact information. New users to the BOSWC platform must create an account. Existing users (including all current OSW-CTM certificants) should use the primary email address on file with BOSWC as their Username and use the Forgot Password functionality to reset your account password for initial login. If you are not sure if you have an account, please contact us before potentially creating a duplicate account.

Become a Certified Oncology Social Worker OSW-CTM

THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING AN OSW-CTM

  1. Demonstrates to clients and colleagues that oncology social workers have a defined and specialized skill set.
  2. Certification is a public acknowledgment of going beyond what is expected.
  3. Certification opens the door for conversations with patients, staff and administrators about the knowledge, experience and commitment needed to attain this designation.
  4. Hospitals can use this to demonstrate to surveyors and accrediting bodies that the social workers on staff have attained an exceptional level of experience and competency.
  5. Some hospitals have provided social workers with financial rewards and incentives for becoming certified.
  6. Signifies your commitment in the eyes of your leadership.
  7. Represents an advanced level of competence, commitment, and experience in the field of Oncology Social Work.
  8. Validates your specialty – similar to the Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) certification issued by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation for oncology nurses.
  9. Is the preferred certification for the required role of “Psychosocial Coordinator” for the Cancer Committee, which is specified in the Commission on Cancer Standards of Care.
  10. Is a great marketing tool for your employer.
  11. Comes with a certificate that you can display and a letter of recognition to be given to your employer.
  12. Demonstrates to accrediting organizations such as Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, American College of Surgeons, Commission on Cancer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and your community that Oncology Social Workers comply with standards and ethics that ensure delivery of quality services to all.

In the 2016 Patient Centered Standards, the Commission on Cancer recognizes and prefers the OSW-CTM credential. Also, the Association of Community Cancer Centers recognizes and prefers the OSW-CTM credential in their Cancer Program Guidelines.

PURPOSE OF THE OSW-CTM

The Board of Oncology Social Work (BOSWC) administers the Certified Oncology Social Worker program and confers the OSW-CTM credential to:

    • Validate the Licensed Social Worker’s qualification, knowledge, and effective practice in the oncology-specific area of social work practice.
    • Provide nationally recognized, oncology-specific certification for the specialized knowledge and demonstrated practice ability of the certified social worker.
    • Represent to clients and colleagues the certificant’s commitment and practical experience in the field of Oncology Social Work.
    • Promote public safety by establishing minimal standards for advanced oncology social workers.
    • Provide public acknowledgment that the professional has gone beyond the minimum expectations for professional practice in the specialty.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Christina Bach, MBE, MSW, LCSW, FAOSW, OSW-CTM, Chair
Educational Content Specialist and Psychosocial Content Editor – Oncolink, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Field Liaison – Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research

Harold Dean, MSW, LCSW, OSW-CTM, Chair-elect
Social Work Program Manager – Myeloma Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – Little Rock, Arkansas
Field Liaison and Field Instructor – University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Social Work

Catherine Lindner, MSW, LCSW, OSW-CTM
Social Worker Manager, AdventHealth Cancer Institute – Orlando, FL

Rosemary “Rosie” Nagy, MSS, LSW, OSW-CTM
Oncology Social Worker – Temple Health, Philadelphia, PA

Leena Nehru, MSW, LCSW, OSW-CTM
Oncology Social Worker, Center for Survivorship and Support-Kennestone, Wellstar Health System

Sophia Tsesmelis Piccolino, DSW, LCSW, OSW-CTM
Psychotherapy, Supervision & Consulting, Adjunct Lecturer, NYU

Lisl Schweers, MSW, LCSW, OSW-CTM
Lead Clinical Social Worker, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Trisha Warren-VanHorn, MSW, LCSW, OSW-CTM
Oncology Social Worker Supervisor at Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute, ME

Shannon Zaleski, MA, LCSW, OSW-CTM
Associate Director Clubhouse Programs – Gilda’s Club Chicago, an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community
Chicago, IL

CONTACT US
BOSWC
125 Enterprise Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
[email protected]

OUR MISSION

The Board of Oncology Social Work Certification (BOSWC) Mission is to ensure excellence in psychosocial care to oncology patients, families, caregivers, and their communities. Oncology social workers certified by BOSWC must demonstrate:

      • Excellence in oncology-specific social work practice.
      • Ongoing oncology-specific education and training.
      • Ongoing professional oncology work employment.
      • Ongoing professional and community engagement.