Review the NASW Code of Ethics
March is both National Social Work Month and National Ethics Awareness Month. So, as we head into the next month, it’s a good time for individuals and organizations to reflect on the ethics they adhere to. Take time in the coming weeks to review the NASW Code of Ethics, which sets standards that guide the professional conduct of social workers. All BOSWC® applicants and OSW-C® certificants must attest to uphold and abide by the NASW Code of Ethics. Review the Code of Ethics.
BOSWC® Clarifies Licensure Requirements Effective January 1, 2026
Provisional status licenses, issued by some states to allow time for individuals to meet all requirements of the full license they are pursuing (e.g., supervised clinical hours prior to taking the required exam), are not acceptable for OSW-C® program requirements. Those currently certified with such a license will be required to have an acceptable license for their next renewal. Special circumstances may arise as state licensing boards change policy and requirements. BOSWC reserves the right to make final decisions on all license acceptance for BOSWC program purposes.

Become a Certified Oncology Social Worker OSW-C®

THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING AN OSW-C®

  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-C® credential. Also, the Association of Community Cancer Centers recognizes and prefers the OSW-C® credential in their Cancer Program Guidelines.

PURPOSE OF THE OSW-C®

The Board of Oncology Social Work (BOSWC®) administers the Certified Oncology Social Worker program and confers the OSW-C® 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.

BOSWC® BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Trisha Warren-VanHorn, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C®, Chair
Oncology Social Worker Supervisor at Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute, Scarborough, ME

Shannon Zaleski, MA, LCSW, OSW-C®, Chair-elect
Quality Assurance Social Worker, Thyme Care, Chicago, IL

Lisl Schweers, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C®, Secretary-Treasurer
Lead Clinical Social Worker, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, CA

Leena Augustine, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C®, Member
Oncology Social Worker, Center for Survivorship and Support-Kennestone, Wellstar Health System, Atlanta, GA

Ana DeVage, LICSW, OSW-C®, Member
Social Work Cancer Care Navigator, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, WA

Aimee Hoch, MSW, LSW, OSW-C®, FACCC, Member
Oncology Financial Advocate, Grand View and Upper Bucks Campuses, St. Luke’s Cancer Center and
Financial Navigation Specialist, Cancer Support Community, Philadelphia, PA

Hannah Johnson, MBA, Public Member
Director of Operations and Support – American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), Austin, TX

Catherine Lindner, MSW, LCSW, CST, OSW-C®, Member
Social Worker Manager, AdventHealth Cancer Institute, Orlando, FL

Brittany McLaren, OSW-C®, Member
Social Services Manager, Stanford Children’s Health, San Francisco, CA

Mari Montesano, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C®, Member
Breast Care Helpline Manager, Susan G. Komen, Canby, OR

Emily Pearcy, LCSW-S, OSW-C®, Member
Director of Social Work, Texas Oncology, Round Rock, TX

BOSWC® APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

With the growth of the OSW-C® program, the BOSWC® Board of Directors identified a need to expand capacity to review and decision OSW-C® portfolios. Therefore, in 2025, the Application Review Committee was created and acts as an extension of the Board in application decisioning.

Alan Nguyen, LCSW-S, OSW-C®
Lead Oncology Social Worker, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, Houston TX

Christina Bach, MBE, MSW, LCSW, FAOSW, OSW-C®
Field Liaison and Instructor, Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, Philadelphia, PA

Deborah Carey, DSW, CSW, OSW-C®
Quality & Education Coordinator, University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network

Harold Dean, LCSW, FAOSW, OSW-C®
Social Work Program Manager, Myeloma Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Field Liaison and Field Instructor, University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Social Work, AR

Melanie Cavazos, LCSW, OSW-C®
Senior Social Work Counselor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Melissa Oliver, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C®

Michaela Zavala, OSW-C®
Interim Manager of Outpatient Oncology Social Work/Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Stanford Health Care, CA

Rosie Nagy, MSS, LSW, OSW-C®
Director, Social Work and Patient and Family, Oncology Social Worker, Temple Health, Philadelphia, PA

Sean T. Powell, MSW, LCSW, CCM, OSW-C®
Director, Social Work and Patient Support Services, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL

Catherine Lindner, MSW, LCSW, CST, OSW-C®, Board Liaison
Social Worker Manager, AdventHealth Cancer Institute, Orlando, FL

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.