Long term care social worker vs hospital social worker

The differences between long term care 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 long term care social worker and a hospital social worker. Additionally, a hospital social worker has an average salary of $54,774, which is higher than the $48,296 average annual salary of a long term care social worker.

The top three skills for a long term care social worker include patient care, nursing home and SNF. The most important skills for a hospital social worker are social work, patients, and patient care.

Long term care social worker vs hospital social worker overview

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Hospital Social Worker
Yearly salary	$48,296	$54,774
Hourly rate	$23.22	$26.33
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	103,725	105,520
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

What does a long term care social worker do?

Long-term care social workers manage the emotional, physical, and mental needs of a person. They are the one who provides and gives aid in order for the person in need to have access to services and health care. This career has a vital role in ensuring that proper care is given in partnership with other professions such as doctors and health workers. They are often seen in a nursing facility, child care, mental institutions, as well as rehabilitation centers.

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.

Long term care social worker vs hospital social worker salary

Long term care social workers and hospital social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Hospital Social Worker
Average salary	$48,296	$54,774
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $65,000	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 long term care social worker and hospital social worker education

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

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Hospital Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common major	Nursing	Social Work
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Long term care social worker vs hospital social worker demographics

Here are the differences between long term care social workers' and hospital social workers' demographics:

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Hospital Social Worker
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%	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 long term care social worker and hospital social worker duties and responsibilities

Long term 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
Skil care SNF / rehabilitation and ICF LTC residents.
Refer the patient or family member to the local Medicaid office to coordinate with the staff regarding eligibility for Medicaid.
Perform assessments/social history upon admission to better understand the patient's needs and personal circumstances as they relate to their rehabilitation.
Assist patients with passive and active ROM exercises to promote mobility and steady gait.
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.

Long term care social worker vs hospital social worker skills

Common long term care social worker skills

Patient Care, 32%
Nursing Home, 18%
SNF, 12%
Vital Signs, 12%
MDS, 9%
Medicaid, 6%

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
Long Term Care Social Worker
Long Term Care Social Worker vs Hospital Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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