Healthcare Social Workers
Clinical Social Worker, Hospice Social Worker, Medical Social Worker, Social Worker
What they do:
Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.
On the job, you would:
- Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.
- Educate clients about end-of-life symptoms and options to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
Knowledge
Math and Science
- psychology
- sociology and anthropology
Health
- therapy and counseling
Arts and Humanities
- English language
- philosophy and religion
Business
- customer service
Skills
Basic Skills
- talking to others
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
- understanding people's reactions
- looking for ways to help people
Abilities
Verbal
- communicate by speaking
- listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
- notice when problems happen
- use rules to solve problems
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Concern for Others
- Integrity
- Self Control
- Dependability
- Stress Tolerance
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Office suite software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Microsoft Office software
Presentation software
- Information presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Medical software
- Medical records software
- MEDITECH software
Education
Education: (rated 5 of 5)
master's degree or
bachelor's degree
usually needed
bachelor's degree
usually needed
Job Outlook
Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Explore More
- Child, Family, & School Social Workers
- Marriage & Family Therapists
- Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Mental Health Counselors
- Rehabilitation Counselors
You might like a career in one of these industries:
See more details at O*NET OnLine about healthcare social workers.