MaineHealth Oncology Social Worker Joins National Certification Board

Trisha Warren-VanHorn, LCSW, OSW-C, has recently joined the Board of Oncology Social Work Certification (BOSWC). Trisha, who has been a Certified Oncology Social Worker for 12 years, will serve a two-year term.

The BOSWC promotes the mutual professional interest of oncology social workers and administers an oncology social worker certification program. In addition to validating the competency of individual social workers, the BOSWC promotes and ensures lifelong learning in oncology social work and other related disciplines. There are currently four OSW-Cs in the MaineHealth network, eight in the state, and over 800 nationwide. As a member of the Board, Trisha will be take part in reviewing all applications for new OSW certifications, as well as renewals.

According to Trisha, there are multiple benefits to becoming OSW certified. “It is so beneficial to be connected to a national group of peers,” she says, “and this organization also helps in reinforcing the need for specialized training.” A specialized social worker with proper training is able to assist patients to develop coping skills for managing changing diagnoses and treatment options, and can help patients and their families with the practical issues of finding the allimportant community resources. Trisha says that these resources “...have become more sparse during the pandemic but Oncology Social Workers continue their efforts to try to find resources, while offering emotional support to [their] patients and offering unique perspectives to [their] medical colleagues.”

Trisha Warren-VanHorn, right, provides care at Maine Medical Center in Scarborough, ME.