What You Need to Know About Healthcare Social Worker
Job Description: Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family care givers, providing patient education and counseling, and making referrals for other services. May also provide care and case management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.
Life As a Healthcare Social Worker: What Do They Do?
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
- Investigate child abuse or neglect cases and take authorized protective action when necessary.
- Supervise and direct other workers providing services to clients or patients.
- Plan and conduct programs to combat social problems, prevent substance abuse, or improve community health and counseling services.
- Plan discharge from care facility to home or other care facility.
- Develop or advise on social policy and assist in community development.
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What a Healthcare Social Worker Should Know
Healthcare Social Workers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Related Job Titles
- Medical Social Worker
- Long Term Care Social Worker
- Public Welfare Worker
- Healthcare Advocate
- Outreach and Education Social Worker
Healthcare Social Worker Job Outlook
There were about 176,500 jobs for Healthcare Social Worker in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 20.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 35,500 new jobs for Healthcare Social Worker by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 22,900 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Healthcare Social Worker are Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Maine, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Healthcare Social Worker
The average yearly salary of a Healthcare Social Worker ranges between $34,210 and $84,870.
Healthcare Social Workers who work in California, Alaska, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Healthcare Social Workers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,740 |
| Alaska | $70,620 |
| Arizona | $62,920 |
| Arkansas | $46,310 |
| California | $76,450 |
| Colorado | $52,150 |
| Connecticut | $72,640 |
| Delaware | $55,870 |
| District of Columbia | $72,090 |
| Florida | $50,950 |
| Georgia | $53,110 |
| Hawaii | $66,210 |
| Idaho | $56,080 |
| Illinois | $52,830 |
| Indiana | $51,710 |
| Iowa | $51,360 |
| Kansas | $53,580 |
| Kentucky | $50,340 |
| Louisiana | $53,460 |
| Maine | $52,830 |
| Maryland | $58,350 |
| Massachusetts | $61,960 |
| Michigan | $56,830 |
| Minnesota | $58,670 |
| Mississippi | $48,080 |
| Missouri | $46,370 |
| Montana | $49,570 |
| Nebraska | $48,230 |
| Nevada | $82,820 |
| New Hampshire | $64,570 |
| New Jersey | $64,570 |
| New Mexico | $55,490 |
| New York | $62,280 |
| North Carolina | $54,730 |
| North Dakota | $53,300 |
| Ohio | $52,910 |
| Oklahoma | $48,580 |
| Oregon | $70,830 |
| Pennsylvania | $53,770 |
| Rhode Island | $57,620 |
| South Carolina | $57,660 |
| South Dakota | $43,350 |
| Tennessee | $50,700 |
| Texas | $59,090 |
| Utah | $63,200 |
| Vermont | $57,900 |
| Virginia | $57,510 |
| Washington | $62,180 |
| West Virginia | $49,440 |
| Wisconsin | $52,300 |
| Wyoming | $57,270 |
What Tools do Healthcare Social Workers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Healthcare Social Workers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Microsoft Publisher
- MEDITECH software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- Corel WordPerfect
- Adobe Systems Adobe PageMaker
- Patient electronic medical record EMR software
- Relational database software
- Web page design and editing software
- Calendar software
- Social Solutions ETO
How do I Become a Healthcare Social Worker?
Learn what Healthcare Social Worker education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become a Healthcare Social Worker?
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Healthcare Social Worker may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Healthcare Social Worker in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
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