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Medical social worker (MedSW) is a sub-discipline of the broad field of social work. A medical social worker is sometimes also referred to as hospital social worker and healthcare social worker.

Medical Social Worker

There are a number of job functions that medical social workers fulfill, such as:

Medical Social Workers Work Setting and Career Options

The work setting and day-to-day activities of a medical social worker can vary considerably depending on facility, job duties, and an individual’s seniority.  When an individual trains to be a social worker, he or she is trained in all aspects of the profession.  Most social workers will choose to specialize; such as medical social work, however they may have the opportunity to move between different areas.

Medical social workers also perform a number of routine duties, such as:

Learn more abouthow to become a medical social worker.

Typical Employment Settings for a Medical Social Worker

There are a number of sectors that employ medical social workers. However, most individuals are employed in settings, such as:

Ways a Medical Social Worker Can Increase Desirability as a Job Candidate and Increase His or Her Salary

Joining a professional association, such as the National Association of Social Workers, (NASW), or other organizations will also make medical social workers more desirable to employers.

Related Social Work Education Guides

Attributes Employers Often Look For When Hiring a Medical Social Worker

Medical social workers usually view the opportunity to make an immediate and positive impact on the lives of individuals and families as only one of the many unique benefits of this job.

Yet, social work, as a profession, can be very challenging.  Yet, social work can be very rewarding also.  A medical social worker must have emotional and personal maturity to meet the demands of this field. Employers look for workplace readiness skills that usually include much more than a desire to help others.

As with all individuals who choose to enter the field of social work, medical social workers should have a number of key skills, including:

Networking Opportunities and Organizations for Medical Social Workers

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures forsocial workersandmedical social workersare based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2023.

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