Social Work
MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Department of Social Work are committed to offering field placement opportunities to Bachelor of Social Work and second-year Master of Social Work students through the Clara B. Smith Training Center Program. The educational goal of the program is provide the highest quality hands-on learning experience to our students and to prepare them to enter the social work profession with confidence in their skills and knowledge.
The Clara B. Smith Training Center
The Clara B. Smith Training Center was established within the Department of Social Work on September 1, 1986, in honor of Mrs. Clara Blackford Smith of Denison, Texas. Mrs. Smith was a long time friend and benefactor of the department, frequently contributing financial support for indigent patients and training institutes for social workers throughout Texas. In addition to funding an education coordinator to provide support and guidance for the training of graduate social work students, the grant provides monies for Clara B. Smith stipends. These stipends are designed for second-year Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) or Master of Science in Social Work (M.S.S.W.) students who either are in a health care specialization or have a strong interest in health care social work.
Opportunities for Field Placement
- Students pursuing the M.S.W. degree: MD Anderson has both inpatient and outpatient programs. Opportunities for enhancing clinical skills as a social work practitioner are available in both areas. Additionally, practicum opportunities in administration and research are available. These students carry a limited clinical caseload and are involved in such areas as program evaluation, policy and procedure review and development and grant location and writing.
- Students pursuing the B.S.W. degree: Opportunities for skill development are available in program development, grant location, observation of counseling and supportive services and resource location and development.
Student Training & Support
All students are required to participate in MD Anderson’s new employee orientation. Following this, the Clara B. Smith Training Center has a departmental orientation program. Students are then assigned to the service of their field instructor within the Department of Social Work. Students receiving training at MD Anderson are required to be in field three days a week for two consecutive semesters for a concurrent placement or five days a week for one semester for a block placement. During their experience, students participate in an interdisciplinary team approach to care, including patient teaching, planning conferences and chart rounds with physicians, nurses and other team members.
Within the Department of Social Work, staff development presentations are offered weekly. During their placement, students are expected to present at one staff development meeting. Weekly brown bag presentations are tailored for discussion of topics not offered during staff development meetings for students. There are also opportunities to attend continuing education presentations, many of which are sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
Students seeking this placement should be independent and able to function with some degree of autonomy once established within their service. We promote the choosing of a learning experience, which would move students toward realizing their professional educational goals.
Miscellaneous
Students have access to the research library and all support services offered to staff. Cafeteria food is offered at employee rates, as well as parking.
For additional information contact:
Wendy Evans, L.C.S.W.
Social Work Supervisor/Education Coordinator
1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 103
Houston, TX 77030 713-792-7627
wjevans@mdanderson.org
MD Anderson patients can Contact Us by e-mail or call the department of Social Work directly at 713-792-6195. Please have your referral number or MD Anderson patient number available.