Allied Health - Social Worker

Job Title: Medical Social Worker Job Summary: The Medical Social Worker provides psychosocial support to patients and families facing acute, chronic, or terminal medical conditions.

They collaborate with healthcare teams to ensure the emotional, financial, and social needs of patients are addressed during treatment and recovery.

Key Responsibilities: Assess patients’ social, emotional, and environmental needs.

Provide counseling and crisis intervention to patients and families.

Assist in discharge planning, including referrals to community resources and services (e.g., home health care, transportation, housing). Educate patients and families on healthcare processes and coping strategies.

Advocate for patient needs with the interdisciplinary medical team.

Maintain accurate and timely documentation of assessments, interventions, and care plans.

Coordinate care with physicians, nurses, and other professionals to ensure comprehensive treatment.

Address issues related to abuse, neglect, substance use, mental health, and trauma, as applicable.

Support patients and families in understanding and completing advance directives and end-of-life planning.

Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and case conferences.

Work Settings: Hospitals Clinics Long-term care facilities Home health agencies Hospice and palliative care Rehabilitation centers Licensure & Certification Requirements by State (U.S.): Medical Social Workers are typically required to hold a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and be licensed or certified, depending on the state.

Here’s a general overview: States That Require Licensure for Medical Social Workers (Most Common License: LCSW or LMSW): All 50 U.S.

states regulate social work practice, but the type of license required and the title vary.

In general: LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker): Required for clinical roles in almost all states.

LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker): Often sufficient for non-clinical medical settings.

Some states allow provisional or associate licenses for those working under supervision.

Examples by State: State License Required Notes California LCSW Must be licensed through the Board of Behavioral Sciences Texas LMSW or LCSW LMSW sufficient for hospital settings New York LMSW or LCSW LMSW required for most hospital roles Florida LCSW Required for clinical roles; registered intern status acceptable for supervision Illinois LSW or LCSW LSW acceptable for non-clinical roles Georgia LMSW or LCSW LMSW required at minimum Ohio LSW or LISW LSW for general roles, LISW for advanced practice Pennsylvania LSW or LCSW LSW for hospitals, LCSW for therapy Massachusetts LCSW or LICSW LICSW needed for independent clinical roles North Carolina LCSWA, LCSW LCSWA for associate level, working toward LCSW Note: Scope of practice and supervision requirements vary widely.

Always verify with your state's Board of Social Work.