Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jobs in California
Licensed Clinical Social Worker jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with consistent demand across county behavioral health departments, integrated health systems, school districts, and community mental health agencies at every level from associate to clinical supervisor. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego lead hiring volume, with major employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health maintaining large and ongoing LCSW workforces. The most sought-after specialties include child and family therapy, substance use disorder treatment, and trauma-informed care. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!
Organization:
SEMC - Sutter Eden Medical CenterPosition Overview:
Provides biopsychosocial assessment, crisis intervention, short term counseling, linkage with resources and planning for transitions of care for patients and their families/significant others of all ages, in any patient care setting. Provides psycho-education and may facilitate support groups. Provides consultation on psychosocial aspects of care as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team; serves as a liaison to community programs; assists and collaborates with multidisciplinary team on discharge planning; and practices independently. Provides patients with support in adjustment to illness and facilitates goals of care conversations with patients and families. May provide education to staff and other hospital departments and participate on committees.Job Description:
EDUCATION:
- Master's: Social Work or related field
CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE:
- LCSW-Licensed Clinical Social Worker
TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:
- Two years recent relevant experience
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
- Clinical skills in biopsychosocial assessment and clinical interventions, including crisis intervention, intervention with patient/family behavioral issues, grief counseling, supportive counseling, adjustment to illness, life review/end of life support, behavioral change therapy, motivational interviewing, short-term family counseling, group facilitation
- Collaboration skills and ability to work effectively on a team.
- Skills in patient and family advocacy
- Knowledge of transitions of care and community resources.
- Knowledge of post-acute levels of care and resource needs for discharge planning
- Knowledge of child, elder and dependent adult abuse, crimes against persons reporting requirements, and other significant regulations affecting clinical social work practice (e.g. Tarasoff, patient confidentiality)
- Knowledge of behavioral health and the skills to assess mental health functioning, high risk behaviors, depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric conditions impacting hospitalization or transitions of care
- Knowledge of suicidal behavior, and the skills necessary to assess lethality, and to develop and implement an appropriate plan of care
- Knowledge of substance use and the skills to assess level of addiction, motivation for change, and to develop and implement an appropriate plan of care
- Knowledge and understanding of the influence of cultural and spiritual values in social work practice
- Knowledge and skills necessary to provide psychosocial care appropriate to the age-specific needs of newborns, children, adolescents, adults and elders
- Knowledge of palliative care, goals of care discussions, and the psychosocial needs of the patient and family at end-of-life
- Knowledge of bioethics and legal issues impacting patient care.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing
- Must demonstrate interpersonal and organizational skills, to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities and competing demands
- Proficient in using a computer to accurately enter and extract data, send and receive email, calendar appointments, and use task lists as will be using a variety of computer software programs
- Knowledge of local county / state / federal resources for at-risk population
Job Shift:
Schedule:
Per Diem/CasualShift Hours:
8Days of the Week:
VariableWeekend Requirements:
Rotating WeekendsBenefits:
NoUnions:
NoPosition Status:
Non-ExemptWeekly Hours:
0Employee Status:
Per Diem/CasualSutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Pay Range is $56.78 to $79.49 / hourThe compensation range may vary based on the geographic location where the position is filled. Total compensation considers multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.
See All 123+ Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsLicensed Clinical Social Worker Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sutter Health20

- Collage Rehabilitation Partners20

- Rehab Without Walls13

- Rula8

- LifeStance Health5

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Non-Profit & Social Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in licensed clinical social worker jobs across California.
- Active Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Experience providing individual, group, or family therapy in a clinical setting
- Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation standards
- Knowledge of California-specific Medi-Cal billing and managed care requirements
- Ability to conduct risk assessments and coordinate involuntary holds under California Welfare and Institutions Code
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a licensed clinical social worker in California?
You become an LCSW in California by earning a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, then registering as an Associate Clinical Social Worker with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences while completing required supervised hours. Once you finish the supervised experience requirement, you apply to sit for the California Law and Ethics Exam and the ASWB Clinical Exam, both of which must be passed before the BBS issues your full LCSW license.
Which companies hire licensed clinical social workers in California?
Employers hiring licensed clinical social workers in California right now include Sutter Health, Collage Rehabilitation Partners, and Rehab Without Walls, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's large integrated health systems, county behavioral health departments, and federally qualified health centers are among the most consistent sources of full-time LCSW openings in the state.
Which California cities have the most licensed clinical social worker jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Oceanside consistently post the highest number of licensed clinical social worker openings in California. Los Angeles drives the largest share of listings given the scale of LA County's public behavioral health infrastructure and the density of private health systems, while San Francisco and San Diego benefit from major medical centers and well-funded community mental health networks that hire LCSWs year-round.
Are there remote licensed clinical social worker jobs in California?
Yes, but they are limited compared to desk-based roles, since much of clinical social work involves in-person assessment, crisis response, and court-mandated services. About 46% of licensed clinical social worker openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are most commonly in telehealth therapy, case management, and utilization review rather than direct community or school-based practice.
How can I get hired as a licensed clinical 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 and targeting supervised positions within county mental health departments, federally qualified health centers, or large nonprofit agencies such as Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services or Telecare Corporation, which routinely hire associates for supervised clinical roles. School district social work positions and county child welfare agencies also provide structured supervision toward licensure while offering steady employment, and candidates with bilingual skills or a background in case management, mental health technician work, or community health outreach consistently gain a hiring edge in California's competitive market.
Where can I find and apply to licensed clinical social worker jobs in California?
You can find and apply to licensed clinical social worker jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across health systems, county agencies, schools, and nonprofit organizations. Find roles that fit your specialty and location, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 123+ Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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