BOSWC® Board of Directors Recruitment

The Board of Oncology Social Work Certification (BOSWC®) is seeking applications from OSW-C® certified oncology social workers for one of three (3) positions on the Board of Directors starting service in January 2026.

If you are interested in promoting and elevating the field of Oncology Social Work, advancing standards of practice and advancing the Certified Oncology Social Worker (OSW-C®) credential, then serving on the BOSWC Board of Directors may be a great fit for your interests!

Applications are now being accepted.
Application Deadline: Friday, Oct. 3, 2025
Submit an Application: Download, complete, and submit the BOSWC® Board of Directors Application Form to BOSWC Chair-elect Trisha L. Warren-VanHorn, LCSW, OSW-C® at [email protected].

Qualifications for Board Service

  • Applicants must be an oncology social worker with an active OSW-C® credential in good standing.
  • Applicants must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Board experience is preferred, but not essential. The BOSWC Board of Directors maintains competencies that those interested in applying are strongly encouraged to review. These competencies are used in applicant evaluation and may be found below.
  • Professionals from diverse practice settings and patient populations are sought, including adult, pediatric, hospital based, ambulatory care, community agencies, and cancer non-profits are encouraged to apply.
  • Professionals from diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.

Time Commitment for Board Service

  • BOSWC Board meetings are held via Zoom once a month—currently at 12:00 p.m. Eastern on the first Friday.
  • The average time required for Board service is approximately 3-5 hours per month.
  • This is a working board, and members serve in both a governance role and as Board Reviewers of all OSW-C® applications for initial and renewal of certification.
  • Term of service for Board membership is 3 years.
  • Positions to be filled for 2026 will start in January and serve for three (3) calendar years (through 2028).
  • Anyone selected to the BOSWC Board of Directors should be willing and able to serve in an officer role (Chair, Chair-elect, and/or Secretary-Treasurer).

NOTE: We are planning an in-person Board meeting for early 2026 to facilitate Board member transition and allow for strategic planning for BOSWC. New Board members will be expected to attend and we appreciate your flexibility in scheduling. The current anticipated dates for this 3-day event (inclusive of travel) are February 6-8, 2026.

Those interested in this leadership opportunity with the BOSWC, please submit a completed application by October 3, 2025, to Trisha Warren-VanHorn, LCSW, OSW-C® at [email protected].

BOSWC® Board of Directors Competencies

Universal Competencies – Those competencies important for all members of the Board to posses.

  • Advocacy – Ability to align organizational priorities with the needs and values of the constituency and stakeholders to move the mission of the organization forward.
    • Recognizes the needs of oncology social workers, employers, and other stakeholders.
    • Advocates for certified oncology social workers in the workplace and broader healthcare environment.
  • Diversity, Belonging, and Inclusion
    • Values and respects diversity and the inherent dignity and worth of each person.
    • Remains open to change and new information.
    • Cognizant of unconscious and systemic bias; raises awareness of pertinent issues and concerns.
    • Encourages creative tension and differences of opinions.
    • Supports initiatives that address racism, discrimination, and bias.
    • Promotes a supportive culture for all stakeholders.
  • Effective Communication – Ability to articulate information orally or in writing in a clear and convincing manner to a variety of audiences, as well as the ability to listen and comprehend in a non-judgmental manner.
    • Communicates with clarity, respect, and integrity to build trust with stakeholders.
    • Conveys information, analysis, ideas, and positions in a clear and organized manner.
    • Tailors communication to the intended audience and physical and emotional situation.
  • Information-seeking – Possesses an underlying curiosity and desire to know more about things, people, or issues, including the desire for knowledge and staying current with professional trends and developments, as well as scanning for potential opportunities or information that may be of future use to the organization. Exercises a commitment to lifelong learning.
    • Presses for exact information; resolves discrepancies by asking questions to get to the root of situation, problem, or opportunity.
    • Seeks comprehensive information, expert perspective, and knowledge.
    • Encourages adoption of best practices and applies evidence-based information to practices (including leadership practices).
    • Exhibits self-awareness and confidence, and learns from challenges, setbacks, and failures as well as successes.
  • Navigating Change – Ability to plan, make decisions, implement, and evaluate new processes in an evolving environment; ability to energize stakeholders and sustain their commitment to changes in approaches, processes, and strategies.
    • Maintains focus on strategic goals and values during changes.
    • Exhibits constancy of purpose in providing leadership to advance change initiatives and in overcoming resistance to change.
    • Demonstrates flexibility to changing information and confidence in progress and benefits of change.
  • Personal Integrity – Holds personal values that promote ethical behavior in doing what is right and just for the greater good, without involving personal agenda.
    • Practices in an ethical and trustworthy manner; models ethical practice.
    • Maintains consistency in values and priorities in the face of opposition.
    • Ensures that words and actions align with personal values.
    • Exercises duties of care, loyalty, and obedience in board work.
  • Relationship Building – Ability to form partnerships and build relationships through use of influence, teamwork, trust, and honesty.
    • Builds relationships with stakeholders grounded in mutual trust and respect.
    • Develops relationships with individuals in roles relevant to promoting the mission of the organization.
    • Promotes positive working relationships within teams and with external groups/individuals.
    • Shares responsibility for leadership and decision-making.
  • Stewardship – Ability to effectively and responsibly allocate financial, human, and other resources.
    • Promotes the responsible use of and allocation of financial resources.
    • Guides the development of long-term plans for funding organizational growth and development.
    • Strategic Orientation – Provides visionary thinking to build a shared vision and long-term goals, while considering the implications of decisions on the organization and its stakeholders.
    • Applies the mission, vision, and strategy and their implications for the organization’s structure, culture, and stakeholders.
    • Identifies environment in which constituency operates and factors shaping the direction of oncology social work and certification.
    • Fosters a culture of inquiry, innovation, and transformation.
    • Balances tradeoffs, competing interests, and contradictions in the interest of the bigger, broader picture.
    • Aligns strategy and resource allocation.
  • Teamwork / Collaboration – Ability to form and develop high functioning teams that possess balanced capabilities to accomplish a set of goals and objectives; recognized in the workplace and other venues as a leader.
    • Promotes inclusiveness, diversity of ideas, and achievement of mutual goals.
    • Models norms for leadership behavior and inspires others to support organizational goals and strategies.
    • Reduces or removes barriers to organizational effectiveness and success; focuses on problem resolution.
    • Promotes good working relationships regardless of personal likes/dislikes; breaks down barriers, builds good morale, enables others to engage, provides constructive feedback, and supports cooperation.

Collective Competencies – Those competencies important for at least some members of the Board to possess.

  • Prior Board Experience – Ability to play a leadership role in a group that oversees institution or system-wide initiatives; understands non-profit board responsibilities.
  • Credentialing/Licensure Knowledge – Understanding of the credentialing and/or licensure processes including standard setting, eligibility determinations, examination/portfolio evaluation, and discipline and appeals.
  • Business Acumen – Ability to develop and monitor budgets, to interpret financial statements, and make sound judgments regarding financial decisions.