How Do I Become a Medical Social Worker?

Education

To become a medical social worker, begin by applying to an accredited social work program. The first degree you need to earn is a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), which will allow you to enter the field as a case manager. Some BSW social workers choose to work in general social work, gaining knowledge and experience before applying to a master's program. Most BSW employment is in the "generalist" field, for instance, working in a state government agency or for a private social service organization.

Once you've worked in a case management position, you may decide to apply to a master's program. In this instance, you may decide to specialize in medical social work. Once you apply to a master's program, you'll take more advanced classes in the human lifespan, social work policy and history, and social work practice. As you progress in the medical social work master's program, you'll begin to specialize in medical social work courses. Your internship or practicum will be in a medical setting--for instance, in a hospital, nursing home or hospice. There you'll participate in providing social work services under constant supervision.

Upon completion of the master's social work program, you'll graduate with your Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Apply for your master's licensing in your state. Your licensing exam will be much more detailed and will concentrate on more clinical issues (psychosocial adjustment, mental health status or issues interfering with good mental or psychological functioning). After taking and passing your licensing exam, you have a wider menu of choices in your career field. You may opt to work in a large hospital setting, a government setting, a private setting--such as a residential treatment facility--or in a hospice (see Resources).

Medical social workers can be found working in government agencies, delivering intensive services to AIDS patients, Alzheimer's patients or elderly persons who are at high risk for abuse or exploitation. As a medical social worker, you can find yourself working as a team member along with neurosurgeons, transplant surgeons and intensive care physicians, coordinating the setup and delivery of services to new clients and their family members. You may often find yourself providing counseling to family members grieving the loss of a family member as he once was. As a discharge planner, you'll be responsible for arranging community services for your clients upon discharge from a hospital. In general, as a medical social worker, you have many opportunities from which to select; you'll accept and carry out diverse responsibilities (see Resources).