Social Worker Jobs in North Carolina
Social Worker jobs in North Carolina are in strong and steady demand, concentrated across healthcare systems, child welfare agencies, school districts, and behavioral health organizations, with openings ranging from entry-level case aide positions through senior clinical and supervisory roles. Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro lead hiring volume, with well-established employers like Atrium Health, UNC Health, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services maintaining consistent social work workforces. The most in-demand specialties across the state are child protective services, school-based social work, and substance use and mental health counseling. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Description
Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
Summary:
A Social Worker - MSW (Inpatient) is a crucial member of the healthcare team, providing comprehensive support and services to patients and their families. They are responsible for conducting assessments, supporting patient-centered care plans, facilitating resources, monitoring progress, advocating for patients, actively listening to their concerns, respecting individuality, building trust, performing risk segmentation, carrying out delegated work, coordinating care, and communicating with payers.
Responsibilities:
1. Assessments: Conduct thorough assessments of patients' mental, emotional, and social well-being to evaluate their needs and identify any barriers to their overall functioning. This includes assessing their support systems, coping mechanisms, mental health conditions, and psychosocial factors.
2. Patient-Centered Care Plans: Collaborate with providers, patients, their families, and the healthcare team on individualized care plans that align with patients' goals, preferences, and values. Resource Facilitation: Connect patients and their families with community resources, mental health services, support groups, and other relevant programs. This includes assisting with referrals for psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and coordinating care with other providers.
3. Progress Monitoring & Evaluation: Continuously monitor and evaluate the progress of patients' care plans to assess their response to interventions, measure outcomes, and make necessary adjustments. Collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure appropriate care progression, follow-up and continuity of care.
4. Advocacy: Advocate for patients' needs within the healthcare system and the community. This involves ensuring access to appropriate treatment, facilitating communication between patients and their healthcare team, and addressing any barriers or concerns that may impact the patient's well-being.
5. Active Listening: Engage in active listening to understand patients' experiences, concerns, and emotions. Provide a safe and non-judgmental space for patients to express themselves and offer empathy, validation, and support.
6. Respect for Individuality: Recognize and respect the unique values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds of each patient. Tailor interventions and support to align with their individual needs and preferences, taking into account their cultural, social, and spiritual backgrounds.
7. Building Trust: Build trust-based relationships with patients and their families by demonstrating empathy, confidentiality, and professionalism. Foster open communication, collaboration, and a therapeutic alliance.
8. Risk Segmentation: Utilize risk segmentation strategies to identify patients who may require additional support or interventions based on their medical, psychological, and social risk factors. This helps prioritize resources and interventions for those who need them most.
9. Tasks or Interventions: Carry out specific tasks or interventions as delegated by the healthcare team.
10. Delegated Work: Collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to carry out delegated work, such as coordinating referrals, conducting follow-up assessments, and providing ongoing support to patients and their families.
11. Care Coordination: Coordinate care across different providers and settings to ensure seamless transitions and continuity of care. This may involve facilitating communication, sharing information, and advocating for the patient's needs.
12. Payer Communication: Communicate with payers, such as insurance companies or government agencies, to provide necessary information for authorization of services, reimbursement, or other documentation requirements.
Other Information
Education Requirements:
- Master's Degree in Social Work
- None required
- Two (2) years health care experience strongly preferred
- • Knowledge of mental health conditions, diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based treatment modalities
- Strong assessment and diagnostic skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to collaborate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team
- Empathy, compassion, and cultural sensitivity
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical guidelines
Job Details
Legal Employer: STATE
Entity: UNC Medical Center Hillsborough
Organization Unit: UNCH Care Mgmt-Hillsborough
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
Salary Range: $33.37 - $47.97 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Day Job
Location of Job: US:NC:Hillsborough
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes
This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.
Description
Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
Summary:
A Social Worker - MSW (Inpatient) is a crucial member of the healthcare team, providing comprehensive support and services to patients and their families. They are responsible for conducting assessments, supporting patient-centered care plans, facilitating resources, monitoring progress, advocating for patients, actively listening to their concerns, respecting individuality, building trust, performing risk segmentation, carrying out delegated work, coordinating care, and communicating with payers.
Responsibilities:
1. Assessments: Conduct thorough assessments of patients' mental, emotional, and social well-being to evaluate their needs and identify any barriers to their overall functioning. This includes assessing their support systems, coping mechanisms, mental health conditions, and psychosocial factors.
2. Patient-Centered Care Plans: Collaborate with providers, patients, their families, and the healthcare team on individualized care plans that align with patients' goals, preferences, and values. Resource Facilitation: Connect patients and their families with community resources, mental health services, support groups, and other relevant programs. This includes assisting with referrals for psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and coordinating care with other providers.
3. Progress Monitoring & Evaluation: Continuously monitor and evaluate the progress of patients' care plans to assess their response to interventions, measure outcomes, and make necessary adjustments. Collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure appropriate care progression, follow-up and continuity of care.
4. Advocacy: Advocate for patients' needs within the healthcare system and the community. This involves ensuring access to appropriate treatment, facilitating communication between patients and their healthcare team, and addressing any barriers or concerns that may impact the patient's well-being.
5. Active Listening: Engage in active listening to understand patients' experiences, concerns, and emotions. Provide a safe and non-judgmental space for patients to express themselves and offer empathy, validation, and support.
6. Respect for Individuality: Recognize and respect the unique values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds of each patient. Tailor interventions and support to align with their individual needs and preferences, taking into account their cultural, social, and spiritual backgrounds.
7. Building Trust: Build trust-based relationships with patients and their families by demonstrating empathy, confidentiality, and professionalism. Foster open communication, collaboration, and a therapeutic alliance.
8. Risk Segmentation: Utilize risk segmentation strategies to identify patients who may require additional support or interventions based on their medical, psychological, and social risk factors. This helps prioritize resources and interventions for those who need them most.
9. Tasks or Interventions: Carry out specific tasks or interventions as delegated by the healthcare team.
10. Delegated Work: Collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to carry out delegated work, such as coordinating referrals, conducting follow-up assessments, and providing ongoing support to patients and their families.
11. Care Coordination: Coordinate care across different providers and settings to ensure seamless transitions and continuity of care. This may involve facilitating communication, sharing information, and advocating for the patient's needs.
12. Payer Communication: Communicate with payers, such as insurance companies or government agencies, to provide necessary information for authorization of services, reimbursement, or other documentation requirements.
Other Information
Education Requirements:
- Master's Degree in Social Work
- None required
- Two (2) years health care experience strongly preferred
- • Knowledge of mental health conditions, diagnostic criteria, and evidence-based treatment modalities
- Strong assessment and diagnostic skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to collaborate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team
- Empathy, compassion, and cultural sensitivity
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical guidelines
Job Details
Legal Employer: STATE
Entity: UNC Medical Center Hillsborough
Organization Unit: UNCH Care Mgmt-Hillsborough
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
Salary Range: $33.37 - $47.97 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Day Job
Location of Job: US:NC:Hillsborough
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes
This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.
See All 193+ Social Worker Jobs in North Carolina
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Find Social Worker JobsSocial Worker Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Social Worker Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Advocate Aurora Health14
- Atrium Health12
- UNC Health9
- Trinzic5
- Thriveworks5
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in social worker jobs across North Carolina.
- Active North Carolina LCSW, LCSWA, LSW, or LCSWA credential issued by the NC Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
- Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program for clinical or licensure-required positions
- Bachelor of Social Work degree accepted for generalist, case management, or entry-level community roles
- Experience with case documentation, care coordination, and state or county human services platforms
- Knowledge of North Carolina child welfare statutes, Medicaid, and DSS policies and reporting requirements
- Strong assessment, crisis intervention, and culturally competent communication skills across diverse populations
Social Worker Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a social worker in North Carolina?
To practice social work in North Carolina, you must obtain a license from the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board. A Bachelor of Social Work qualifies you for the Licensed Social Worker credential, while a Master of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program is required for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate or full LCSW credential. Each license level requires passing the relevant ASWB examination and meeting supervised practice hours before full licensure.
Which companies hire social workers in North Carolina?
Employers hiring social workers in North Carolina right now include Advocate Aurora Health, Atrium Health, and UNC Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. North Carolina's large hospital systems, county departments of social services, and behavioral health networks are among the most consistent sources of full-time social work positions across the state.
Which North Carolina cities have the most social worker jobs?
Charlotte, Chapel Hill, and Winston-Salem have the most social worker openings in North Carolina. Charlotte and Raleigh drive the largest share of listings due to their major hospital systems, growing behavioral health networks, and large county human services agencies, while cities like Greensboro and Durham generate strong demand through academic medical centers, community mental health providers, and well-funded nonprofit sectors.
Are there remote social worker jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, but they are limited. Social work is largely a field-based and client-facing profession, so most roles require in-person presence. About 39% of social worker openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions tend to be concentrated in care coordination, utilization review, telehealth counseling, or policy and program roles rather than direct case management or child welfare work.
How can I get hired as a social worker in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to North Carolina's county Departments of Social Services as a social work associate or case aide, roles that accept BSW graduates and candidates still completing supervised hours. UNC Health, Atrium Health, and large behavioral health networks in Charlotte and the Triangle hire new graduates into structured fellowship or associate-level tracks. A completed ASWB exam, a current LCSWA registration, and documented field placement hours with a North Carolina population give entry-level candidates a clear advantage.
Where can I find and apply to social worker jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to social worker jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring across the state. Search by city, specialty, or experience level to see roles that match your background, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 193+ Social Worker Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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