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Pediatric social worker vs community health worker

The differences between pediatric social workers and community health workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a pediatric social worker, becoming a community health worker takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a pediatric social worker has an average salary of $58,039, which is higher than the $37,079 average annual salary of a community health worker.

The top three skills for a pediatric social worker include social work, patients and mental health. The most important skills for a community health worker are patients, community health, and social work.

Pediatric social worker vs community health worker overview

Pediatric Social WorkerCommunity Health Worker
Yearly salary$58,039$37,079
Hourly rate$27.90$17.83
Growth rate9%12%
Number of jobs58,21782,445
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4543
Years of experience24

What does a pediatric social worker do?

A pediatric social worker assists sick children and their families in the treatment and management of chronic conditions or illnesses. This role requires one to specialize in an area of pediatric care such as oncology, burns, etc. As a pediatric social worker, you must be ready to take up inpatient and outpatient responsibilities to advise and link your clients with the needed resources. They also offer emotional support, liaise with medical staff, and coordinate the child's care.

What does a community health worker do?

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. They help people understand their health conditions and deliver health information by using appropriate cultural terms and concepts. Community health workers also make home visits to patients who are clinically ill, pregnant women, and individuals at high risk of health problems.

Pediatric social worker vs community health worker salary

Pediatric social workers and community health workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pediatric Social WorkerCommunity Health Worker
Average salary$58,039$37,079
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $80,000Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Best paying industry-Insurance

Differences between pediatric social worker and community health worker education

There are a few differences between a pediatric social worker and a community health worker in terms of educational background:

Pediatric Social WorkerCommunity Health Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Southern California

Pediatric social worker vs community health worker demographics

Here are the differences between pediatric social workers' and community health workers' demographics:

Pediatric Social WorkerCommunity Health Worker
Average age4543
Gender ratioMale, 13.8% Female, 86.2%Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
Race ratioBlack 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, 9.4% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 5.8% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage13%21%

Differences between pediatric social worker and community health worker duties and responsibilities

Pediatric social worker example 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.

Community health worker example responsibilities.

  • Lead process and counseling groups gear toward healing from both PTSD and substance dependence issues.
  • Manage large databases, analyze records, perform literature reviews, prepare PowerPoint presentations, and interpret data for publication.
  • Complete vitals on all patients and record vitals in EMR.
  • Train and educate professionals on HIV prevention and testing in the community.
  • Create program materials such as flyers, letters, banners, handouts, etc.
  • Assess asthma control by completing questionnaires during home visits and communicating this information via EMR.
  • Show more

Pediatric social worker vs community health worker skills

Common pediatric social worker skills
  • Social Work, 33%
  • Patients, 24%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • MSW, 7%
  • Family Therapy, 2%
Common community health worker skills
  • Patients, 13%
  • Community Health, 12%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Community Resources, 7%
  • CHW, 5%
  • Social Services, 4%

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