How to hire a pediatric social worker

How to hire a pediatric social worker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pediatric social worker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a pediatric social worker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new pediatric social worker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a pediatric social worker job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The pediatric social worker hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A pediatric social worker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, pediatric social workers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents pediatric social worker salaries for various positions.

   Type of Pediatric Social Worker	Description	Hourly rate
   Pediatric Social Worker	Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. One group of social workers—clinical social workers—also diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues.	$19-38
   Social Service Coordinator	A social service coordinator is responsible for assisting the essential needs of the citizens within a community by providing them financial assistance, employment services, and social provisions through coordinating with various organizations and social institutions. Social service coordinators conduct counseling to assess social needs and processing referral services for particular purposes... Show more	$15-24
   Community Health Worker	A community health worker is a health professional who is a lay member of the community that provides health care in both urban and rural environments. Community health workers offer the health needs of the community they serve and provide some direct services such as first aid and blood pressure screening... Show more	$12-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Social Work
   • Patients
   • Mental Health
   • Patient Care
   • MSW
   • Family Therapy
   • Community Agencies
   • Direct Clinical
   • Medical Care
   • Child Abuse
   • Home Health
   • Clinical Services
   • Rehabilitation
   • Acute Care

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
   • Monitor high risk neonatal pediatric hospital patients recently discharge, ensuring proper follow-up and clinical management.
   • Develop a plan for intervention that are consistent with the social/emotional/physical needs of patients and caregivers.
   • Perform advocacy and referral services to other social service agencies which include alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs.
   • 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.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pediatric social worker job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A pediatric social worker can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, pediatric social workers' average salary in south dakota is 44% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level pediatric social workers 49% less than senior-level pediatric social workers.
   • Certifications. A pediatric social worker with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a pediatric social worker's salary.

   Average pediatric social worker salary

   $58,039yearly

   $27.90 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level pediatric social worker salary

   $41,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a pediatric social worker job description

   A pediatric social worker job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a pediatric social worker job description:

   Pediatric social worker job description example

   Our mission is clear. We bring to life a healing ministry through our compassionate care and exceptional service.
   
   At Mercy, we believe in careers that match the unique gifts of unique individuals – careers that not only make the most of your skills and talents, but also your heart. Join us and discover why Modern Healthcare Magazine named us in its “Top 100 Places to Work.”

   $5000 Sign on Bonus!!!

   
   Overview:

   This position facilitates an effective transition planning and length of stay oversight supporting the Mercy Care Management model, quality patient care, patient safety and financial components; promoting integration of a seamless care model; coordinating patient throughput; healthcare team collaboration and coordination as evidenced by metrics, optimizing performance and adoption of best practices.

   This position coordinates the care and services of clients along a continuum of behavioral health care. The individual makes clinical judgments based on a synthesis of concepts, principles, models and theories to solve complex issues.

   The SW will provide direct consultations to individuals on an outpatient basis acting as a liaison between families/clients/staff/physicians. Provides education to patients, families, specific groups in the community at large as well as to staff members, actively participating in the integration of practice, education and research.

   Assist with transition planning and act as liaison with care coordination professionals.

   Qualifications:

   Education: Master's degree in Social Work.

   Licensure: Current LCSW in the state of employment.

   Experience: 0-2 years experience in acute care hospital setting, Minimum Preferred

   Certification/Registration: BLS (CPR) at hire date, required, or within 90 days of hire

   Other Skills & Knowledge
   1. Strong verbal and written communication and facilitation skills.
   2. Strong assessment skills, time management skills, critical thinking skills.
   3. Advanced computer skills.
   4. The assessment, care and treatment provided by Social Worker II will be consistent with the specific age-related needs of the patient. Is competent to care for patient age groups including neonatal/infant, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric adult patients.
   5. Skills and knowledge of human behavior and clinical aspects of medical Social Work.
   6. Ability to interact effectively with a variety of people and situations at all levels of the organization.

   We Offer Great Benefits:

   
   Day-one comprehensive health, vision and dental coverage, PTO, tuition reimbursement and employer-matched retirement funds are just a few of the great benefits offered to eligible co-workers, including those working 48 hours or more per pay period!

   We’re bringing to life a healing ministry through compassionate care.

   
   At Mercy, our supportive community will be behind you every step of your day, especially the tough ones. You will have opportunities to pioneer new models of care and transform the health care experience through advanced technology and innovative procedures. We’re expanding to help our communities grow. Join us and be a part of it all.

   
   What Makes You a Good Match for Mercy?

   
   Compassion and professionalism go hand-in-hand with us. Having a positive outlook and a strong sense of advocacy is in perfect step with our mission and vision. We’re also collaborative and unafraid to do a little extra to deliver excellent care – that’s just part of our commitment. If that sounds like a good fit for you, we encourage you to apply.

   
   

   Mercy has determined this is a safety-sensitive position. The ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner is an essential function of this job.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find pediatric social workers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any pediatric social workers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level pediatric social workers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your pediatric social worker job on Zippia to find and recruit pediatric social worker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with pediatric social worker candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new pediatric social worker

   Once you've selected the best pediatric social worker candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new pediatric social worker. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a pediatric social worker?