Find an Online Psychology Program for You

Featured Online Psychology & Counseling Programs

What Is Medical Social Work?

Female Patient

Today, the medical and healthcare system in this country can be utterly overwhelming and confusing for many people, not to mention extraordinarily expensive. In fact, today’s healthcare system is enough to intimidate and frighten even the strongest and most competent people. Serious illnesses and injuries are sometimes even enough to devastate and ruin some patients for years.

Medical social workers, however, are there to help patients navigate the world of healthcare. These social workers can help individuals do everything from find medical care to help pay for medical care to recover from an illness or injury. This might include offering advice, acting as a patient advocate, or referring a patient to facilities or programs.

In general, medical social workers work with all types of patients. Individuals that may benefit from the help of medical social workers might be any age and from all walks of life. If you choose to start a medical social work career, you will generally work closely with children and their parents, adults, and the elderly. You might also work with poverty-stricken patients, along with those with average to high incomes as well.

Knowledge of medical procedures, such as diagnosis and treatment methods, is generally recommended if you’re looking to become a medical social worker. In addition, you should also be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, doctors, nurses, and healthcare facility bureaucrats. Organizational skills, patience, and an understanding disposition are also excellent traits to have when pursuing a medical social worker career.

Why Do We Need Medical Social Workers?

The medical and healthcare world can be confusing and intimidating, both emotionally and financially. In fact, some individuals in need of healthcare may even avoid going to the doctor or the hospital purely for these reasons. Leaving serious injuries or illnesses untreated is often dangerous, and can even be fatal at times.

What Do Medical Social Workers Do?

A career in medical social work also often involves informing patients of their rights. In general, a patient’s rights typically include - but, aren’t limited to - such things as

A medical social worker’s job doesn’t always stop after a patient is discharged from the hospital either. Once a patient returns home, a medical social worker might also make sure that the patient’s needs are being met at home as well. A medical social worker may be responsible to coordinate post-treatment resources, if a patient needs additional help at home because of his medical condition. For instance, he might help set up necessary services, such as home healthcare services or assisted living services.

Where Do Medical Social Workers Find Employment?

If you’re interested in pursuing a medical social work career, you’ll most likely be able to find employment in facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, emergency clinics, and rehabilitation centers. Some medical social workers might also be able to find employment in government offices as well.

What Are the Education Requirements for a Medical Social Work Career?

Social Work LicensesEducation RequirementsEducation LengthAvailable ProgramsLBSW (License Bachelor’s Social Work)Bachelor’s4 YearsOnlineorCampusLMSW (Licensed Master’s Social Worker)Master’s6 YearsOnlineorCampusLCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)Master’s +3200 Clinical Hours7-8 YearsOnlineorCampus

Although some facilities may hire medical social workers with bachelor’s degrees, most require applicants to havemaster’s degrees in social work. Most employers also require medical social workers to be licensed as well, which typically requires completion of around 1,000 hours of supervised clinical fieldwork.

What Is the Salary for a Medical Social Worker?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics splits social workers into four categories. One of those categories is healthcare social workers. In this instance, medical social workers count as healthcare social workers and according to the BLS, as of May 2022, the median annual salary of a medical social worker is$60,280with the top 10% earning around $88,000 and up. Those that work in specialty hospitals earn a annual average salary of $73,640.

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

Related ArticlesEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Medical Social WorkersThe Importance of Accreditation When Choosing an Online MSW ProgramWhat Careers are Available for Social Workers?Employment Outlook & Career Guidance for School Social WorkersEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Clinical Social WorkersEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Parole OfficersEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Disability Policy Social Workers

Related CareersSocial Work as a Parole OfficerCommunity Social Worker CareersBecome a Substance Abuse Social WorkerStart a Family Social Work CareerHospice & Palliative Social Work CareersStart a School Social Work CareerStart an Addiction Social Work CareerStart a Child Welfare Social Work CareerHow to Become a Clinical Social WorkerCareer as a Victim AdvocatePsychiatric Social Work CareersDeveloping a Career in Corrections Social WorkStart a Public Health Social Worker CareerServe the Community as a Probation OfficerSocial Work Administration CareersStart a Disability Policy Social Work CareerStart a Social Work CareerStart a Geriatric Social Worker CareerStart a Mental Health Social Work CareerMilitary Social Work Careers