Health care social worker vs psychiatric social worker

The differences between health care social workers and psychiatric 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 health care social worker and a psychiatric social worker. Additionally, a psychiatric social worker has an average salary of $59,144, which is higher than the $42,237 average annual salary of a health care social worker.

The top three skills for a health care social worker include social work, patients and meal preparation. The most important skills for a psychiatric social worker are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Health care social worker vs psychiatric social worker overview

	Health Care Social Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Yearly salary	$42,237	$59,144
Hourly rate	$20.31	$28.43
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	210,979	57,284
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	Master's Degree, 51%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

Health care social worker vs psychiatric social worker salary

Health care social workers and psychiatric social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Health Care Social Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Average salary	$42,237	$59,144
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $56,000	Between $43,000 And $79,000
Highest paying City	-	San Mateo, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Highmark
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between health care social worker and psychiatric social worker education

There are a few differences between a health care social worker and a psychiatric social worker in terms of educational background:

	Health Care Social Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	Master's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Health care social worker vs psychiatric social worker demographics

Here are the differences between health care social workers' and psychiatric social workers' demographics:

	Health Care Social Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8%	Male, 24.8% Female, 75.2%
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 health care social worker and psychiatric social worker duties and responsibilities

Health care social worker example responsibilities.

Respond to and assist in behavioral codes working as a team member to successfully manage patient using methods obtain in CPI training
Assist in coordinating health care benefits with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers.
Work with clients for fill basic home cleaning, cooking, and healthcare needs.
Aid in completion of any forms such as Medicaid, food stamps, etc.
Comply with HIPAA regulations regarding patient privacy and confidentiality.
Discharge planning for those resident under going short-term physical rehabilitation.

Psychiatric social worker example responsibilities.

Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
Provide clinical supervision and oversight to MSW intern who provide assessments and treatment.
Participate in weekly hospital social services meetings, weekly individual supervision, and facilitate change strategies for patients.
Guide, mentore, and tutor both BSW and MSW students in internship programs.
Assist individual in developing and practicing the skills define on their psychiatric rehabilitation plans.
Follow patients throughout hospitalization, working closely with attending psychiatrist; involve in family, individual and group treatment.

Health care social worker vs psychiatric social worker skills

Common health care social worker skills

Social Work, 26%
Patients, 24%
Meal Preparation, 5%
Community Resources, 4%
Patient Care, 4%
Home Health, 4%

Common psychiatric social worker skills

Social Work, 23%
Patients, 16%
Crisis Intervention, 7%
Rehabilitation, 5%
Discharge Planning, 5%
Mental Health, 4%

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Community and Social Services Industry
Health Care Social Worker
Health Care Social Worker vs Psychiatric Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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