Oncology Social Worker Jobs in Iowa
Oncology Social Worker jobs in Iowa draw consistent demand from the state's major cancer care centers and integrated health systems, with openings at the staff, senior, and supervisory levels across inpatient, outpatient, and palliative care settings. The heaviest hiring concentrates in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids, where employers like UnityPoint Health, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and MercyOne anchor the market. The most in-demand specializations include pediatric oncology support, palliative care coordination, and survivorship program management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Full time
Shift:
Weekend Shift
Description:
At MercyOne, health care is more than just a doctor’s visit or a place to go when you’re in need of medical attention. Our Mission is based on improving the health of our communities – that means not only when you are sick but keeping you well.MercyOne North Iowa is the largest provider of health care services in our region, and we are proudly the largest employer in Cerro Gordo County. Our hospital is a private, not-for-profit health care center, licensed for 346 beds, which serves more than 400,000 inpatients and outpatients each year. In addition, MercyOne North Iowa is a teaching institution. We conduct a Family Medicine Residency, Internal Medicine Residency, Cardiology Fellowship, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship, PGY1 Pharmacy Residency and a School of Radiologic Technology. MercyOne North Iowa is a clinical training site for approximately 500 students from 127 different colleges enrolled in programs for medical laboratory, nursing, paramedic, rehabilitation, medical assistants, pastoral services, physicians and many other medical fields.MercyOne North Iowa Cancer Center: When it comes to cancer care, there’s no substitute for experience. That’s why MercyOne North Iowa Cancer Center offers you the most respected and sophisticated oncology care; including state-of-the-art therapies, personalized medicine and surgery in combination with clinical research and many support services. Our Cancer Center is staffed by highly specialized and caring professionals with numerous years of experience in providing high quality cancer care.The MercyOne North Iowa Cancer Center is truly unique because it was designed to provide a broad spectrum of necessary treatment services in one, easy-to-access location. Having all of our services in one location means you can coordinate with your entire care team without traveling to several locations to receive outstanding care.Want to learn more aboutMercyOne North Iowa Cancer Center?MercyOne North Iowa Cancer Center
Join the MercyOne Family! We are looking to hire an Outpatient Specialty RN at ourMercyOne North Iowa Cancer Center
As a Outpatient Specialty Registered Nurse at MercyOne, you will accept responsibility and accountability for the delivery of care through the use of the nursing process. Directs and guides patient and family education. Cares for all types of oncology/hematology and related patients in Medical Oncology while maintaining professional nursing standards. Practices nursing within the Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa professional nursing practice plan
Schedule:
- Works Saturday and Sunday 12 hours shifts but is paid as full time 36 hours a week.
- RN covers infusion services on weekends and on any holiday that falls on a weekend
- Demonstrates customer service to others as a number one priority and accomplishes this by integrating Service Excellence into all aspects of the work day, taking responsibility for service recovery and working for outcomes that delight the customer.
- Evaluates patient/family response to nursing interventions. Acts as a resource for the nursing interventions. Acts as a resource for the nursing process to other clinical nurses.
- Assesses patients and identifies common physical and psychosocial needs. Develops ability to identify unusual, complex physical and psychosocial needs.
- Guides and directs patient care activities for above indicated population, by utilizing clinical/critical thinking skills and evidence based practice. Triages patient phone calls and assesses for level of care needed, referring to physicians or providing nursing intervention as assessment indicates.
- Assists the physicians/midlevel provider in patient care activities (consultations, exams, procedures, follow-ups, treatments.)
- Provides or facilitates learning opportunities to meet the educational needs of the patient and family by assessing the learning needs and by formulating and initiating a teaching plan to meet those needs.
- Collaborates with members of the inter-disciplinary health care team to achieve desired patient care outcomes.
- Adapts positively to the ever-changing health care environment by supporting technology and process changes. Willing to learn new things, is open to change and maintains a calm positive manner under stressful conditions.
- Identifies, participates and takes action in activities, which solve problems, promotes better patient care, nursing development and professional growth, and supports process improvement teams, which influence customer satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and financial stability.
- Promotes and maintains positive working relationships in a collegial manner with coworkers, medical staff and personnel of other departments and demonstrates effective communication skills. Assists others needing help as necessary and displays flexibility in job responsibilities.
- Participates in achieving the department budget by managing own work hours, flexing and staffing to volumes, keeping OT to a minimum, utilizing supplies appropriately and by continually applying process improvement techniques to eliminate waste in work flows.
- Participates in the application of process improvement principles by assisting in development and data collection. Participates in the department’s Culture of Safety/Engagement Action Plan.
- Attends and participates in department staff and committee meetings.
- Provides competent patient care to the above indicated patient populations by obtaining and appropriately interpreting data, making appropriate decisions based on demonstrated knowledge of age-specific growth and development, and appropriately adapting procedures and treatments. (if applicable)
- Communicates with and performs duties following MercyOne – North Iowa Guiding Behaviors.
- Supports and abides by all medical center, departmental, and safety policies and procedures. Proactively identifies safety concerns surrounding the work environment.
- Acts in a professional manner reflecting the mission, philosophy and values of Mercy One – North Iowa and the Sisters of Mercy.
- Performs other responsibilities as requested by the Director/Supervisor.
- Participates in activities, which promote better patient care, nursing development, and professional growth.
- Develops/reviews departmental policies and procedures, nursing standards of care and practice, etc.
- Maintains required department confidentiality and abides by HIPPA regulations.
- Provides competent patient care to the above indicated patient populations by obtaining and appropriately interpreting data, making appropriate decisions based on demonstrated knowledge of age-specific growth and development, and appropriately adapting procedures and treatments.
- Takes an active role in enhancing ability to carry out job functions through personal and professional/job-related growth and development, and participates in medical center and/or departmental education programs.
- Communicates with and performs duties following the philosophy of MercyOne –North Iowa and the Sisters of Mercy reflecting the organization’s Mission, Values,and Cultural Beliefs.
- Supports and abides by all medical center, departmental, and safety policies and procedures. Proactively identifies safety concerns surrounding the work environment.
- Performs other responsibilities as requested by supervisor, manager or department head.
- Current RN license in the state of Iowa.
- Associate Degree in Nursing or graduate from an RN program required
- Must complete and successfully pass Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) courses:
- Cancer Basics and Chemotherapy Biotherapy: Fundamentals of Administration courses after 9 months of employment, must successfully complete the ONS/ONCC
- Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy Certificate course, and renew every 2 years.
- Strongly preferred OCN certification within 2 years of employment.
- Prefer minimum of 4 years of experience in a health care setting, inpatient, outpatient, home care, hospice or clinic experience, all possess transferable skills or knowledge valuable to the Cancer Center
VisitMercyOne Careers to learn more about the benefits, culture, and career development opportunities available to you at MercyOne Health System circle of care.
Our Commitment
Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
See All 42 Oncology Social Worker Jobs in Iowa
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Find Oncology Social Worker JobsOncology Social Worker Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Oncology Social Worker Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services15
- Education5
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals1
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in oncology social worker jobs across Iowa.
- Active Iowa license as a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program
- Experience providing psychosocial support in an oncology or acute medical setting
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate care coordination across multidisciplinary cancer care teams
- Proficiency conducting biopsychosocial assessments and developing patient-centered care plans
- Familiarity with community resources, financial assistance programs, and Iowa-based support services for cancer patients
Oncology Social Worker Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a oncology social worker in Iowa?
You become an oncology social worker in Iowa by earning a Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program and obtaining licensure through the Iowa Board of Social Work. Most oncology positions require the Licensed Master Social Worker credential at minimum, with many employers preferring the Licensed Independent Social Worker designation. Accumulating supervised clinical hours in a medical or oncology setting and obtaining the Oncology Social Work certification through the Association of Oncology Social Work strengthens your candidacy considerably.
Which companies hire oncology social workers in Iowa?
Iowa oncology social worker roles are posted by MercyOne, UnityPoint Health, and The University of Iowa and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Iowa's largest integrated health systems and academic medical centers account for the majority of postings, particularly those operating dedicated cancer institutes or accredited oncology programs.
Which Iowa cities have the most oncology social worker jobs?
Des Moines, Iowa City, and Mason City lead Iowa in oncology social worker openings. Des Moines drives volume through the large hospital systems and cancer centers operated by UnityPoint Health and MercyOne, while Iowa City's concentration of openings reflects the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and its NCI-designated Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Cedar Rapids contributes through its regional medical campuses serving eastern Iowa.
Are there remote oncology social worker jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. About 29% of oncology social worker openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the role's fundamentally clinical and patient-facing nature. The portions of the work most suited to remote delivery include telehealth counseling sessions, survivorship follow-up calls, and administrative care coordination for patients in rural areas of Iowa who cannot easily travel to a cancer center.
How can I get hired as a oncology social worker in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a field placement or practicum at an Iowa hospital oncology or palliative care unit during your MSW program, which frequently converts to a hire. UnityPoint Health and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics both take MSW interns and occasionally fill new-grad openings from that pipeline. Candidates coming from adjacent roles such as hospice case manager, medical social worker, or crisis counselor positions at Iowa community health centers are also well positioned, especially when they hold or are pursuing the LMSW credential from the Iowa Board of Social Work.
Where can I find and apply to oncology social worker jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to oncology social worker jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from health systems and cancer care employers across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly to the positions that match.
See All 42 Oncology Social Worker Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Oncology Social Worker Jobs