Healthcare Social Workers

What the work involves

• Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
• 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.
• Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.
• Organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient.
• Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.
• Identify environmental impediments to client or patient progress through interviews and review of patient records.
• Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.

What to study

The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.

• Social WorkSee 621 colleges that teach it
• Mental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsSee 138 colleges that teach it

Who it suits

O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.

• Helping and teaching

• Analytical and curious

• Organised and precise

Careers like this one

• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$60,280
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers$59,550
• Community Health Workers$51,850
• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$107,310
• Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary$77,570
• Education Teachers, Postsecondary$75,350