Hospital Social Worker Jobs in California
Hospital Social Worker jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with demand concentrated in large academic medical centers, county health systems, and integrated care networks at every level from entry-level case manager to senior clinical social worker. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego lead hiring, with major employers such as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UC San Diego Health, and Kaiser Permanente maintaining consistent openings. The most sought-after specialties are behavioral health, discharge planning, and trauma-informed care. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER (MSW)
JOB SUMMARY:
The Medical Social Worker (MSW) applies principles of Social Work and other mental health practices to provide patients and families with assessment interventions, support, advocacy and case management as a primary provider and/or as ancillary support. Practices as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the provision of clinical intervention and support to patients and families. The MSW assesses develops treatment plans and intervenes to address the needs identified in the Assessment. Uses knowledge of culture, age and developmental stages to develop and provide interventions, either as an independent practitioner or as a member of a medical team. Also may provide support and debriefing to RCHSD staff following traumatic events. Unlicensed Social Workers may provide supervision to Social Work Interns at the discretion of the Supervisor and as allowed by the academic institution.
Skills Required:
- Critical thinking
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Skilled in collaboration and reconciliation
- Emotional Intelligence
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Extensive knowledge of interventions
- Self-Awareness and Self-Compassion
- Accomplished problem-solver
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Masters Degree
- Minimum of one year experience or relevant internship.
- If working at schools or Homecare, CA driver's license and proof of insurance will be required.
- One year pediatric professional experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Licensed Social Worker
- Experience in trauma, bereavement, chronic illness, catastrophic diagnosis, family violence, child-protection, and bio-ethical issues
- Experience working in an acute-care hospital setting
- Registered as an ASW with the Board of Behavioral Science Examiners in the State of California
- Registration with the State of California as an ASW or MFTI, as appropriate
MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER (LCSW)
JOB SUMMARY:
The Social Worker applies principles of Social Work and other behavioral health practices to provide patients and families with assessment, interventions, support, advocacy, and case management as a primary provider and/or as ancillary support to the primary medical provider. In all departments, practices as a member of multi-disciplinary team, in the provision of clinical intervention and support to patients and families. The Social Worker assesses, develops treatment plans, and intervenes to address the needs identified in the assessment and by the Team. Utilizes knowledge of culture, age, and developmental stages to develop treatment plans and provide interventions, either as an independent practitioner or as a member of a medical team. May provide support and debriefing to RCHSD staff following traumatic events. Medical Social Worker, as assigned, will provide supervision to Interns and unlicensed staff. May also participate in administrative duties, as assigned by the Supervisor.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's Degree in Social Work
- 2 years of experience
- Licensed Social Worker
- CA Driver's License and Proof of Auto Insurance if working at schools or in Homecare
- 2 years pediatric professional experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 4 years of experience
- Experience in assessment and treatment of children and adolescents
- Experience in trauma, bereavement, chronic illness, catastrophic diagnosis, family violence, child protection, and bio-ethical issues
- Experience working in an acute-care hospital setting
- Certification in Clinical Supervision in the State of California
- Knowledge of evidence-based practices utilized in clinical interventions
(MSW) - The current salary range for this position is $41.49 to $57.05
(LCSW) - The current salary range for this position is $45.75 to $62.90
Rady Children’s Hospital is committed to compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable. We demonstrate this commitment by conducting regular market reviews to remain competitive with organizations of similar size in the nonprofit, healthcare sector. The range listed above does not represent the full salary range for the position but is the expected hiring range for qualified candidates. Compensation decisions consider a variety of factors including experience, education, licensure, unique skillsets, organizational need, and internal equity. This posting will remain open from the “date posted” until the hiring manager has determined there is a sufficient applicant pool or until the position is filled.
See All 9 Hospital Social Worker Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Hospital Social Worker JobsHospital Social Worker Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Hospital Social Worker Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Rady Children's Hospital5

- Children's Hospital Los Angeles2

- Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego1

- Redlands Community Hospital1

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services9
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in hospital social worker jobs across California.
- Active California LCSW license or ACSW registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
- Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program
- Experience in hospital or acute care social work settings
- Proficiency in discharge planning and care coordination with multidisciplinary teams
- Knowledge of California Medi-Cal, Medicare, and community resource systems
- Strong documentation skills with familiarity with electronic health record platforms
Hospital Social Worker Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a hospital social worker in California?
You become a hospital social worker in California by earning a Master of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program and registering with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Clinical Social Worker. After completing the required hours of supervised experience, you sit for the ASWB clinical exam to obtain your Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, which most California hospitals require for independent practice.
Which companies hire hospital social workers in California?
Employers hiring hospital social workers in California right now include Rady Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large integrated health systems and county-run hospitals tend to post the most consistent volume of openings across the state.
Which California cities have the most hospital social worker jobs?
San Diego, Los Angeles, and Hemet have the most hospital social worker openings in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco anchor the market because of their dense concentration of academic medical centers and county health systems, while San Diego's growing network of VA facilities, UC Health campuses, and regional hospitals drives strong demand in the south.
Are there remote hospital social worker jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Hospital social work is inherently hands-on, requiring in-person assessment, bedside care coordination, and direct collaboration with clinical teams. About 0% of hospital social worker openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions tend to involve telehealth-based case management or utilization review rather than direct inpatient work.
How can I get hired as a hospital social worker in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is registering as an Associate Clinical Social Worker with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences immediately after graduation and targeting new-grad field placement conversions. Large California systems such as UC Health and county hospital networks run supervised internship-to-hire pipelines, and starting in adjacent roles like discharge planning coordinator or social services assistant builds the acute care experience California hospitals look for before promoting into licensed social work positions.
Where can I find and apply to hospital social worker jobs in California?
You can find and apply to hospital social worker jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 9 Hospital Social Worker Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Hospital Social Worker Jobs