Medical Social Worker Jobs in California
Medical Social Worker jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in hospital systems, hospice and palliative care, rehabilitation centers, and behavioral health programs, with openings at every level from entry-level case coordinators through senior clinical social workers. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego drive the bulk of hiring, with major employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and UCLA Health maintaining large, consistent social work departments. Discharge planning, oncology social work, and pediatric case management are the sub-specialties generating the steadiest demand statewide. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 33+ Medical Social Worker jobs
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.
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 33 Medical Social Worker Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Medical Social Worker JobsMedical Social Worker Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Medical Social Worker Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- LifeLong Medical Care6
- North East Medical Services6
- Desert Regional Medical Center5
- Fresenius Medical Care5
- Sutter Health3
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services32
- Non-Profit & Social Services7
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in medical social worker jobs across California.
- Active California LCSW or MSW licensure issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
- Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program required for most clinical roles
- Experience with discharge planning, care coordination, or interdisciplinary hospital teams
- Proficiency in electronic health record systems such as Epic or Cerner
- Knowledge of California Medi-Cal, Medicare, and community resource referral processes
- Strong documentation skills and ability to meet Joint Commission compliance standards
Medical Social Worker Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a medical social worker in California?
To become a medical social worker in California, you must earn a Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program and obtain licensure through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Most hospital and clinical employers require at minimum an Associate Clinical Social Worker registration, which allows supervised practice while you accumulate the hours needed to sit for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker exam. Some entry-level case management roles accept a BSW with relevant experience.
Which companies hire medical social workers in California?
Employers hiring medical social workers in California right now include LifeLong Medical Care, North East Medical Services, and Desert Regional Medical Center, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's scale of integrated health systems and county hospital networks means consistent hiring across both urban academic medical centers and regional community hospitals throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most medical social worker jobs?
Oakland, Palm Springs, and San Francisco have the most medical social worker openings in California. Los Angeles anchors the largest share due to the concentration of academic medical centers, county health systems, and nonprofit hospice agencies, while San Francisco and San Diego add significant volume through UCSF Health, Scripps Health, and a dense network of behavioral health and rehabilitation programs serving large urban populations.
Are there remote medical social worker jobs in California?
Yes, but they are rare. Medical social work is fundamentally a patient-facing role built around bedside assessments, care conferences, and in-person discharge coordination, which limits remote options significantly. About 0% of medical social worker openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions tend to be in telephonic case management, utilization review, or managed care coordination rather than direct clinical hospital work.
How can I get hired as a medical social worker in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing an Associate Clinical Social Worker registration through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and applying to supervised internship or new-graduate positions at county hospital systems such as LA County Department of Health Services or UCSF Medical Center. Many large California health systems post clinical social work internship and fellowship programs specifically for new MSW graduates. Adjacent roles such as discharge planner, community health worker, or care coordinator can also serve as lateral entry points that build the clinical documentation and interdisciplinary team experience hospitals look for.
Where can I find and apply to medical social worker jobs in California?
You can find and apply to medical social worker jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across hospital systems, hospice providers, rehabilitation centers, and behavioral health programs. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty area and apply directly through each listing.
See All 33 Medical Social Worker Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Medical Social Worker Jobs