What Does a Health Care Social Worker Do?

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Patients with significant health issues require not only attentive clinical care but also emotional, psychological, and logistical support. Whether they’re recovering from a serious accident or coping with an illness, many patients can benefit from direct access to social support services. The role of a health care social worker is to connect individuals with the health-related services they need, while also standing in emotional solidarity with them.

As such, health care social workers can play a pivotal role in helping individuals during their recovery, as they reacclimate to a normal life, or while they navigate a terminal illness. Pursuing an advanced education in social work can help individuals prepare for a long and rewarding career in this field.

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Professionals in this field of social work interact primarily with individuals who have faced, or are facing, major health issues. These issues include everything from paralysis and limited mobility to illnesses like cancer and diabetes.

Coping with a serious health crisis can take an emotional toll, and one of the main responsibilities of a health care social worker is simply to provide support. A social worker is an important ally to their clients, offering comforting words and actively listening to individuals who may otherwise feel alone or isolated. For clients who need more acute and focused psychological support, a health care social worker may offer direct counseling, or refer them to a mental health social worker.

Additionally, health care social workers help their clients make lifestyle adjustments following a diagnosis or surgery. This may involve connecting them with social services, including housing, financial, and transportation assistance, as well as support groups.

Social workers often work in close collaboration with doctors and other medical professionals, ensuring a consistent continuum of care for their clients.

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Health care social work can be a rewarding field for anyone who is passionate about assisting those who have experienced medical hardship. To prepare for this role, it’s important to obtain the necessary training, education, and credentials.

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Earning an undergraduate degree can help individuals develop some of the foundational skills needed for success in social work. This typically means earning a bachelor’s in social work or a related field, such as psychology.

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While classroom training is essential, hands-on experience is also imperative for further honing professional competence. Two ways to gain hands-on experience are completing fieldwork as part of a social work degree program and/or finding entry-level work with a community services provider.

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Earning a graduate degree, such as a Master of Social Work (MSW), provides individuals with a more comprehensive education in key areas related to professional social work, including human behavior, social welfare policy, and methods of research. It can also be a valuable way to cultivate a more sophisticated skill set, including leadership competencies, and offers opportunities for clinical practice, fieldwork, and networking.

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Working as a professional social worker typically requires licensure at the state level. Becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) indicates a high level of professionalism and competence and allows social workers to take on roles with more clinical responsibility, particularly when it comes to mental and behavioral health. It can also lead to more competitive salaries.

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Through this combination of formal education and hands-on experience, aspiring social workers can develop a robust portfolio of relevant skills. Some of the skills most vital to success as a health care social worker include communication and interpersonal skills, empathy, and organizational abilities.

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According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health care social workers are among the highest-paid social workers, with a median annual salary of $60,840 in 2021, compared to $50,390 for social workers overall. An individual’s specific salary is influenced by their level of education, years of experience, and geographic location.

BLS data indicates that the social work field is growing at a rate that is faster than the average for all professions, and that, within the field of social work, health care social work is projected to have one of the fastest rates of growth over the next decade. Employment of health care social workers is expected to grow by 11% between 2021 and 2031, adding nearly 20,000 new jobs. Part of what’s driving this demand is the growth of the nation’s older adult population, who need assistance adjusting to health conditions and treatments.

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An unexpected health crisis can turn anyone’s life upside down, resulting in an urgent need not just for clinical intervention but also for long-term logistical, emotional, and psychological support. A health care social worker can provide this support, offering meaningful assistance to those who need it.

To prepare for success in this field, advanced education is vital. One path to consider is enrolling in the online Master of Social Work program at Regis College. Coursework in this program covers all of the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to sit for a licensure exam and, ultimately, to provide stability and support for clients in need.

Seek further information about the MSW program and learn how it can prepare you for a rewarding career.