Long term care social worker vs personal care worker

The differences between long term care social workers and personal care workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a long term care social worker has an average salary of $48,296, which is higher than the $29,490 average annual salary of a personal care 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 personal care worker are patients, home health, and good communication.

Long term care social worker vs personal care worker overview

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Personal Care Worker
Yearly salary	$48,296	$29,490
Hourly rate	$23.22	$14.18
Growth rate	9%	36%
Number of jobs	103,725	129,522
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	45	48
Years of experience	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 personal care worker do?

A personal care worker is responsible for providing quality health care services for elders and disabled persons. Personal care workers are usually employed in a private household setting or a special healthcare institution, assisting patients with their daily activities, and monitoring their conditions. They update the patients' medical charts, administer medication from the physician's prescriptions, and manage their food intake. A personal care worker must be highly-organized, especially when attending to patients' needs, inquiries, and concerns.

Long term care social worker vs personal care worker salary

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

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Personal Care Worker
Average salary	$48,296	$29,490
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $65,000	Between $22,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	-	Lynn, MA
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Tyson Foods
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between long term care social worker and personal care worker education

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

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Personal Care Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	-

Long term care social worker vs personal care worker demographics

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

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Personal Care Worker
Average age	45	48
Gender ratio	Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%	Male, 16.4% Female, 83.6%
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, 8.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	13%	7%

Differences between long term care social worker and personal care 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.

Personal care worker example responsibilities.

Manage provider network to include verifying claims and benefits for healthcare providers/members and insurance companies.
Assist in transfers using a gate belt or a hoyer lift.
Use a Hoyer lift to transport patient out of bed to their wheel chair
Perform light maintance which include switching window screens and storm windows, installing and removing air conditioning units.
Care for mentally and physically disable individuals, bathing, feeding, house cleaning duties, tolieting, medicines, CPR certify
Travele to different client homes to assist with ADL's i.e., laundry, bathing, grooming, cleaning, etc.

Long term care social worker vs personal care 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 personal care worker skills

Patients, 24%
Home Health, 20%
Good Communication, 13%
In-Home Care, 12%
Companionship, 5%
Patient Care, 2%

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Community and Social Services Industry
Long Term Care Social Worker
Long Term Care Social Worker vs Personal Care Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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