Social Work Services

Patients diagnosed with an occupational illness face multiple stressors, such as:

• prolonged battle to obtain Workers Compensation benefits
• impact on the ability to work
• financial concerns
• strain on family and social relationships
• barriers to obtaining diagnostic testing and treatment

Patients frequently struggle with anxiety, depression, anger, sadness, guilt, or helplessness.  These issues can lead to isolation and alienation, which then further impact relationships on all levels.
Services by a licensed clinical social worker, such as individual short-term counseling, stress reduction, community resource referrals, and support groups, are available at our clinics, either by face-to-face meetings or via closed-circuit telemedicine technology, or by telephone.
The OHCC social worker is licensed by the State of New York with a master’s degree in social work and can provide our patients specifically with:

• county-specific information on how to contact agencies providing emergency food and housing in or near their home communities
• basic information on how to determine eligibility for low-cost health insurance programs, Medicaid, or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), plus contact information for these programs
• referral for therapeutic psychological counseling for patients who are eligible through health insurance, Workers’ Compensation, or other programs accepting patients on a sliding fee scale
• short-term supportive counseling to patients and their families to better deal with the social and emotional issues that arise with occupational illness.

Any patient of OHCC is eligible to meet with the social worker at no cost.  Just contact the main number (315-432-8899) and ask to speak to the social worker to set up a meeting time.  Or during your clinic visit, ask your provider to see the social worker while you are in the clinic.