Long term care social worker vs social worker

The differences between long term care 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 long term care social worker and a social worker. Additionally, a social worker has an average salary of $50,102, 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 social worker are social work, patients, and patient care.

Long term care social worker vs social worker overview

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Social Worker
Yearly salary	$48,296	$50,102
Hourly rate	$23.22	$24.09
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	103,725	77,340
Job satisfaction	-	4.5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
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 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.

Long term care social worker vs social worker salary

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

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Social Worker
Average salary	$48,296	$50,102
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $65,000	Between $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 long term care social worker and social worker education

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

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Nursing	Social Work
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Long term care social worker vs social worker demographics

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

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Social Worker
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%	Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
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 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.

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.

Long term care social worker vs 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 social worker skills

Social Work, 30%
Patients, 15%
Patient Care, 5%
MSW, 4%
Discharge Planning, 4%
Home Health, 4%

Long Term Care Social Worker vs. similar jobs

Long Term Care Social Worker related careers

Long Term Care Social Worker related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Community and Social Services Industry
Long Term Care Social Worker
Long Term Care Social Worker vs Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse community and social services jobs