Healthcare Social Workers
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.
- Tasks
- 17 tasks15 core, 2 supplemental
- Family
- Community & Social ServiceOne of its 18 occupations
- Code
- 21-1022.00SOC 2018: 21-1022
What the work is made of
15 core tasks and 2 supplemental, each quoted as published, with the survey it came from.
Core: central to the jobSupplemental: done by some, not all
- Task 1. Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.Core taskTask 263Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 2. Educate clients about end-of-life symptoms and options to assist them in making informed decisions.Core taskTask 23910Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 3. Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.Core taskTask 258Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 4. 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.Core taskTask 260Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 5. Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.Core taskTask 265Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 6. Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.Core taskTask 267Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 7. Identify environmental impediments to client or patient progress through interviews and review of patient records.Core taskTask 264Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 8. Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.Core taskTask 261Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 9. Plan discharge from care facility to home or other care facility.Core taskTask 15227Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 10. Organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient.Core taskTask 262Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 11. Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in clients' status.Core taskTask 266Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 12. Supervise and direct other workers providing services to clients or patients.Core taskTask 268Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 13. Plan and conduct programs to combat social problems, prevent substance abuse, or improve community health and counseling services.Core taskTask 272Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 14. Develop or advise on social policy and assist in community development.Core taskTask 269Rated by 26 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 15. Conduct social research to advance knowledge in the social work field.Core taskTask 271Rated by 25 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 16. Investigate child abuse or neglect cases and take authorized protective action when necessary.Supplemental taskTask 259Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
- Task 17. Oversee Medicaid- and Medicare-related paperwork and recordkeeping in hospitals.Supplemental taskTask 270Rated by 27 occupational experts, August 2021
Where this comes from
Quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and credited. Nothing on this page is written by us.
How we copy and credit sources- Published byO*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration
- ClassificationStandard Occupational Classification 2018, 21-1022
- LicenseCC BY 4.0Free to copy and reuse, with credit
- Changed by usNothing.
More in Community & Social Service
17 other occupations in this family, each with its own page.
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers21 tasks
- Clergy21 tasks
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Community Health Workers28 tasks
- Counselors, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education19 tasks
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors35 tasks
- Health Education Specialists16 tasks
- Marriage and Family Therapists15 tasks
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers13 tasks
- Mental Health Counselors27 tasks
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists21 tasks
- Rehabilitation Counselors17 tasks
- Religious Workers, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Social and Human Service Assistants19 tasks
- Social Workers, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors23 tasks
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