Oncology social work vs psychiatric social worker

The differences between oncology social works 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 an oncology social work and a psychiatric social worker. Additionally, a psychiatric social worker has an average salary of $59,144, which is higher than the $53,529 average annual salary of an oncology social work.

The top three skills for an oncology social work include social work, patients and patient care. The most important skills for a psychiatric social worker are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Oncology social work vs psychiatric social worker overview

	Oncology Social Work	Psychiatric Social Worker
Yearly salary	$53,529	$59,144
Hourly rate	$25.74	$28.43
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	99,797	57,284
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 49%	Master's Degree, 51%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

Oncology social work vs psychiatric social worker salary

Oncology social works and psychiatric social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Oncology Social Work	Psychiatric Social Worker
Average salary	$53,529	$59,144
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $65,000	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 oncology social work and psychiatric social worker education

There are a few differences between an oncology social work and a psychiatric social worker in terms of educational background:

	Oncology Social Work	Psychiatric Social Worker
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 49%	Master's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Oncology social work vs psychiatric social worker demographics

Here are the differences between oncology social works' and psychiatric social workers' demographics:

	Oncology Social Work	Psychiatric Social Worker
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 14.4% Female, 85.6%	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 oncology social work and psychiatric social worker duties and responsibilities

Oncology social work example responsibilities.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to provide necessary referrals and counseling to achieve establish patient goals.
Provide psycho-social assessments for the in-patient oncology patients which include counseling and brokering of resources in the community.
Facilitate home care, rehabilitation, and emergency referrals.
Provide brief strategic and crisis counseling for patients and families experiencing acute psychiatric or psychological distress during the treatment process.
Participate in hospital medico-legal ethics committee
Participate in hospital medico-legal ethics committee

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.

Oncology social work vs psychiatric social worker skills

Common oncology social work skills

Social Work, 26%
Patients, 20%
Patient Care, 7%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Multidisciplinary, 4%
Mental 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
Oncology Social Work
Oncology Social Work vs Psychiatric Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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