Medical and Health Social Workers

Medical conditions affect far more than the body. They can result in an onslaught of emotional, financial, and social needs. Social workers are adept at helping people meet these sorts of needs – and so we find social workers in many locations where health services are delivered. They are known as medical and health care social workers. They may serve as case managers, patient navigators, and therapists.

The largest percentage of healthcare social workers work in hospital settings. Some are in outpatient health centers.

In hospital settings, social workers may handle discharge and review new admissions for issues that need addressing. They may help patients locate various resources within their communities. In these settings, they may work any hour of the day or night.

A hospital social worker may have a caseload of patients with widely varying needs. Some will need to weigh the risks and benefits of different healthcare options. Some will need help writing advanced directives or making end of life planning.

Social workers in clinic settings coordinate care for patients who are expected to need a continuum of services. When children have complex health needs, the medical and health social worker may work with the whole family.

In addition to handling the regular routines, a medical social worker needs to handle crises as they arrive. This may involve offering counselling or therapy. Social workers in medical settings sometimes treat or even diagnose psychological conditions.