Post job

Dialysis social worker vs licensed social worker

The differences between dialysis social workers and licensed 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 licensed social worker. Additionally, a licensed social worker has an average salary of $57,005, 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 licensed social worker are social work, patients, and home health.

Dialysis social worker vs licensed social worker overview

Dialysis Social WorkerLicensed Social Worker
Yearly salary$52,616$57,005
Hourly rate$25.30$27.41
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs100,65166,130
Job satisfaction42
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

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 licensed social worker do?

Licensed Social Workers are duly and legally recognized to carry out activities related to social work. They identify individuals or groups of people in need and assess what kind of help they require. They may assist these people in connecting to agencies that would cater to their needs. Licensed Social Workers also help people cope with their challenges. They are responsible for crafting treatment plans or well-being improvement plans for the individuals they help. They may also be called on during times of crisis to provide emotional support to the individuals involved.

Dialysis social worker vs licensed social worker salary

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

Dialysis Social WorkerLicensed Social Worker
Average salary$52,616$57,005
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $69,000Between $41,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City-Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between dialysis social worker and licensed social worker education

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

Dialysis Social WorkerLicensed Social Worker
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorSocial WorkSocial Work
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Dialysis social worker vs licensed social worker demographics

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

Dialysis Social WorkerLicensed Social Worker
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 18.5% Female, 81.5%Male, 16.1% Female, 83.9%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage13%13%

Differences between dialysis social worker and licensed 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.

Licensed social worker example responsibilities.

  • Foster self-determination of patients by evaluating for vocational rehabilitation that includes employment, volunteering, or education opportunities.
  • Evaluate and provide psychotherapy services to patients diagnose with serious and persistent mental illness and/or chemical dependency within an inpatient setting.
  • Provide clinical supervision to MSW students.
  • Supervise and train MSW students during their final concentration practicum.
  • Plan and facilitate trainings that address trauma exposure and the impact of compassion fatigue on administrative staff.
  • Provide medically relate social services to residents in a sub-acute, short term rehabilitation unit.
  • Show more

Dialysis social worker vs licensed social worker skills

Common dialysis social worker skills
  • Social Work, 46%
  • Patients, 29%
  • Rehabilitation, 3%
  • Hemodialysis, 3%
  • ESRD, 3%
  • Social Services, 2%
Common licensed social worker skills
  • Social Work, 29%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Home Health, 11%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%
  • Substance Abuse, 5%
  • Crisis Intervention, 4%

Browse community and social services jobs