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. They may work with the following groups:
1. Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
2. Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.
3. Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.
4. Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.
5. Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
6. Oversee Medicaid- and Medicare-related paperwork and recordkeeping in hospitals.
Key skills for Healthcare Social Worker:
The United Kingdom: £26,243 per year.
The United States of America: $58,586 per year
Australia: AU$53,237 per year
Qualifications and training required:
Becoming a healthcare social worker requires one to have at least a bachelor’s degree (2 years to complete) in social work from an accredited program. However, many employers prefer advanced degrees such as a master’s degree (1-2 additional years to complete) in social work. Most entry-level positions only require a bachelor’s degree in social work.
- the elderly;
- people with learning and physical disabilities;
- young offenders;
- people with mental health conditions;
- school non-attenders;
- drug and alcohol abusers;
- homeless people.
1. Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
2. Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.
3. Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.
4. Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.
5. Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
6. Oversee Medicaid- and Medicare-related paperwork and recordkeeping in hospitals.
Key skills for Healthcare Social Worker:
- Compassion
- Listening skills
- People skills
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Organizational skills
The United Kingdom: £26,243 per year.
The United States of America: $58,586 per year
Australia: AU$53,237 per year
Qualifications and training required:
Becoming a healthcare social worker requires one to have at least a bachelor’s degree (2 years to complete) in social work from an accredited program. However, many employers prefer advanced degrees such as a master’s degree (1-2 additional years to complete) in social work. Most entry-level positions only require a bachelor’s degree in social work.
