Post job

Dialysis social worker vs social worker

The differences between dialysis social workers and 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 social worker. Additionally, a dialysis social worker has an average salary of $52,616, which is higher than the $50,102 average annual salary of a social worker.

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

Dialysis social worker vs social worker overview

Dialysis Social WorkerSocial Worker
Yearly salary$52,616$50,102
Hourly rate$25.30$24.09
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs100,65177,340
Job satisfaction44.5
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
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 social worker do?

Social workers help their clients get through problems that they may be facing. Social workers help identify individuals or groups of people, usually families, who may need assistance, generally through a set of pre-determined criteria. They then determine the best ways to help their clients by interviewing them, getting to know them, and understanding the context of their lives. They create plans that will help their clients become better, such as integrating into a new environment, assisting them in their needs, or even rescuing them from their current place. Social workers have good interpersonal skills and communication skills.

Dialysis social worker vs social worker salary

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

Dialysis Social WorkerSocial Worker
Average salary$52,616$50,102
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $69,000Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City-Portland, OR
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-Health Advocates
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between dialysis social worker and social worker education

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

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

Dialysis social worker vs social worker demographics

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

Dialysis Social WorkerSocial Worker
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 18.5% Female, 81.5%Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
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 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.

Social worker example responsibilities.

  • Assist clients in achieving treatment goals such as anger, ADHD, grief, social skills, and manners.
  • Lead and co-le CBT and DBT skills-base groups with participants, as well as relapse prevention, mindfulness and process groups.
  • Support patient questions and issues regarding Medicare ESRD entitlement and Medicaid and assist in the completion of the appropriate documentation.
  • Coordinate IPU discharge planning patients to SNF, ALF, PCH or in-home care with necessary support for care.
  • Facilitate relationships with AKF and other patient assistance programs, VA, Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance providers.
  • Complete Medicaid and Medicare applications as needed.
  • Show more

Dialysis social worker vs social worker skills

Common dialysis social worker skills
  • Social Work, 46%
  • Patients, 29%
  • Rehabilitation, 3%
  • Hemodialysis, 3%
  • ESRD, 3%
  • Social Services, 2%
Common social worker skills
  • Social Work, 30%
  • Patients, 15%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • MSW, 4%
  • Discharge Planning, 4%
  • Home Health, 4%

Browse community and social services jobs