Dialysis social worker vs hospital social worker

The differences between dialysis social workers and hospital social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a dialysis social worker and a hospital social worker. Additionally, a hospital social worker has an average salary of $54,774, which is higher than the $52,616 average annual salary of a dialysis social worker.

The top three skills for a dialysis social worker include social work, patients and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a hospital social worker are social work, patients, and patient care.

Dialysis social worker vs hospital social worker overview

	Dialysis Social Worker	Hospital Social Worker
Yearly salary	$52,616	$54,774
Hourly rate	$25.30	$26.33
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	100,651	105,520
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

What does a dialysis social worker do?

A dialysis social worker supports patients undergoing dialysis, educating and helping them cope with the changes brought by their disease and treatment. They conduct initial interviews and assessments to identify the patients' needs and develop plans to meet them, help patients understand and navigate through the healthcare system, coordinate services for the patients, and work together with healthcare providers to ensure the patients get to receive optimal care. They may also communicate with insurance providers and coordinate with families to help them adjust to having a loved one in dialysis.

What does a hospital social worker do?

The job of a hospital social worker is one that constantly puts them in the limelight. They perform duties to help patients as they navigate the process of being sick and hospitalized. They assist patients in dealing with the effects of hospitalization. They function as the middleman between patients and the hospital staff. They must also connect patients to much-needed services and assist with coordinating insurance reimbursements.

Dialysis social worker vs hospital social worker salary

Dialysis social workers and hospital social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Dialysis Social Worker	Hospital Social Worker
Average salary	$52,616	$54,774
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $69,000	Between $38,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	-	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Medical Billing
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between dialysis social worker and hospital social worker education

There are a few differences between a dialysis social worker and a hospital social worker in terms of educational background:

	Dialysis Social Worker	Hospital Social Worker
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Dialysis social worker vs hospital social worker demographics

Here are the differences between dialysis social workers' and hospital social workers' demographics:

	Dialysis Social Worker	Hospital Social Worker
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 18.5% Female, 81.5%	Male, 22.9% Female, 77.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 19.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 19.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	13%	13%

Differences between dialysis social worker and hospital social worker duties and responsibilities

Dialysis social worker example responsibilities.

Teach and supervise MSW and BSW students in educational practicums.
Position involve interdisciplinary collaboration and working with the patients and their families by providing assistance with emotional adjustment to illness.
Facilitate assistance to both permanent and guest patients in the arrangement of dialysis treatment when traveling and ensure completion of arrangements.
Work with a complex interdisciplinary team facilitating treatment for patients on medical floors including oncology, dialysis, cardiac and maternity.
Analyze psychological / psycho-social evaluations, IEP's, and medical histories within a referral packet to determine eligibility.

Hospital social worker example responsibilities.

Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
Provide individual therapy, case management, and insurance coverage reviews for individuals undergoing short-term rehabilitation.
Provide orientation, support and information to patients and their families to facilitate active involvement in the rehabilitation environment.
Perform assessments/social history upon admission to better understand the patient's needs and personal circumstances as they relate to their rehabilitation.
Coordinate care with community providers for follow up if patient are discharged, prepare documentation for admission to inpatient psychiatry unit.
Analyze psychological / psycho-social evaluations, IEP's, and medical histories within a referral packet to determine eligibility.

Dialysis social worker vs hospital social worker skills

Common dialysis social worker skills

Social Work, 46%
Patients, 29%
Rehabilitation, 3%
Hemodialysis, 3%
ESRD, 3%
Social Services, 2%

Common hospital social worker skills

Social Work, 28%
Patients, 21%
Patient Care, 7%
MSW, 6%
Behavioral Health, 5%
Acute Care, 4%

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Community and Social Services Industry
Dialysis Social Worker
Dialysis Social Worker vs Hospital Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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