The following responsibilities are common for Hospital Social Workers:

• Provides grief counseling, psychotherapy, and supportive help for patients
• Organizes and in-home healthcare the patient may need upon discharge
• Operates as the patients advocate in and out of the hospital
• Intervenes during any emergency medical crises like trauma or abuse
• Assesses a patients needs and assists that patient with a detailed evaluation reports

A Day In The Life

A hospital social worker works in a hospital or healthcare facility with patients and their relatives by giving support to them when assistance is needed.

They offer support and resources to patients recovering from a medical illness.  After preforming a comprehensive assessment of the patients supportive needs after being discharged from the hospital, they will then work with the patient’s family and/or support system and healthcare providers to coordinate an individualized discharge plan.  This discharge plan should include in-home support care like transportation-rides to and from appointments, any necessary medical equipment, meal plans, counseling, and any other follow-up care needed.  They arrange and ensure patients have the best optimal care at home as well as in the hospital.

Typical Work Schedule

This is typically a full-time position but because the work environment is located within a medical setting the hours may vary and often be shift work or on-call hours.

Projected Job Growth

With the increasing aging population and the state requirements becoming stricter for the mandatory, lawful and proper care of patients by healthcare providers and their families while dealing with an illness, this position will continue to increase and be in high demand.

Typical Employers

The majority of healthcare social workers are employed in a hospital facility.  While others are often employed in assisted living facilities, retirement communities, hospices, and for the government.