Photo Credit: BigStockPhoto/diego cervo
by Vincent Luong, MSSW, LICSW, ACSW, CCM, SUDP
When I first walked into a hospital as a second-year social work intern in inpatient psychiatry 18 years ago, I couldn’t have imagined how profoundly this work would shape me. After graduation, I was offered a full-time position as a medical social worker—and that opportunity marked the beginning of a deeply rewarding career. Since then, I’ve worked in inpatient cardiology, covered emergency departments, and now serve as an inpatient oncology social worker. Over the years, I’ve sat beside patients facing life-altering diagnoses, collaborated on complex discharge plans, and supported families through moments of deep uncertainty.
This article offers a personal and practical perspective on the world of medical social work—especially for students and early-career professionals exploring this dynamic and deeply meaningful field.
What Is Medical Social Work?
Medical social workers are vital members of the healthcare team, helping patients and families navigate the emotional, financial, and logistical challenges that accompany illness and hospitalization. We work across diverse settings—hospitals, cancer centers, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice programs—providing support that goes far beyond clinical care. Our responsibilities include psychosocial assessments, discharge planning, crisis intervention, resource coordination, and advocacy.
We collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, therapists, and care coordinators to ensure that each care plan is not only medically sound but also aligned with the patient’s values, needs, and goals. At its core, our role bridges the clinical world of healthcare with the lived experiences of the people we serve.
One of the rewarding aspects of this field is its variety. If you’re looking to grow or change things up, medical social work offers opportunities to work across different departments, such as emergency medicine, oncology, transplant, behavioral health, intensive care, and outpatient clinics. Each unit brings unique challenges and learning opportunities but shares a common focus: patient-centered care, advocacy, and psychosocial support. Educational opportunities abound as well, both for learning and for teaching, allowing social workers to stay engaged and evolve throughout their careers.
A Day in the Life of a Medical Social Worker
There’s no such thing as a “typical day” in medical social work. My mornings usually begin by reviewing patient charts and attending interdisciplinary rounds alongside physicians, advanced practice providers, transition nurses, and care coordinators. We discuss patient needs and identify who might benefit from social work support.
The rest of the day may include meeting with patients to assess discharge options, helping families consider skilled nursing facilities or hospice care, completing financial assistance applications, arranging transportation or housing, or collaborating with pharmacists to ensure medication affordability.
Throughout the day, I provide emotional support, help patients prepare for what lies ahead, and guide caregivers through complex, often overwhelming decisions. The pace is fast, priorities shift frequently, and emotions can run high—but the impact is lasting. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned: leave on time. The work will still be there tomorrow, and your well-being is just as important as the care you provide.
Key Skills and Qualities Needed
To thrive as a medical social worker, you must balance compassion with efficiency. Emotional resilience, effective communication, and cultural humility are essential when supporting diverse patient populations and navigating sensitive conversations. A working knowledge of medical terminology, insurance systems, and public benefit programs is also crucial.
Critical thinking, flexibility, and the ability to remain grounded under pressure are daily necessities. Discharge planning demands strategic foresight, while counseling and crisis work call for empathy, patience, and trust-building.
Just as we prioritize our patients’ needs, we must care for ourselves. I make it a point to take breaks, eat lunch away from my desk, and connect with colleagues. Outside of work, I find restoration in meditation, yoga, strength training, and reading about wellness and personal growth. In this field, self-care isn’t optional—it’s foundational.
Career Development Tips
If you're considering this path, pursue internships or field placements in medical settings to gain firsthand experience with interdisciplinary collaboration and clinical problem-solving. In interviews, emphasize your ability to adapt, prioritize, and connect with patients during high-stress moments.
Mentorship is key. Seek guidance from seasoned social workers who can help you build confidence and develop clinical judgment. Many hospitals provide supervision by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), which is essential for accruing clinical hours. Even after you achieve licensure, continued supervision—whether individual or group—offers valuable space for growth.
National certifications support professional growth. The Certified Case Manager (CCM) is recognized across healthcare systems, whereas the Accredited Case Manager (ACM) is valued in acute care. The Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), offered through NASW, reflects a commitment to ethics, continuing education, and advanced social work practice.
In hospital settings, relationships matter. Build connections with everyone—nurses, managers, students, environmental services staff. Mentoring social work interns is one way to give back, but extending that mentorship to nursing and medical trainees can elevate social work’s visibility and strengthen interprofessional collaboration.
Many medical centers also support professional development through continuing education. At my institution, the social work department funds CE credits and provides five working days annually to complete them. These opportunities allow us to stay current and expand our skills.
Leadership and advocacy are additional paths to impact. For instance, I collaborate with hospital administration and hospice agencies to streamline General Inpatient (GIP) hospice referral processes. I assess eligibility, address barriers to care, facilitate communication with hospice teams, and ensure referrals reflect the patient’s cultural values and goals. I’ve worked closely with leadership on quality improvement initiatives and offered feedback on systemic challenges affecting timely hospice transitions.
Final Reflection
Medical social work is more than a profession—it’s a calling. We walk alongside people during their most vulnerable moments, offering support, clarity, and compassion. If you're drawn to a career that blends clinical insight with emotional intelligence and social justice, this may be the path for you.
It requires heart, healing, and, without question, a healthy dose of hustle. And after 17 years in the field, I can still say—I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Vincent Luong, LICSW, ACSW, CCM, SUDP, holds a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and currently serves as an oncology social worker at the University of Washington Medical Center. He brings more than 17 years of hospital-based experience in discharge planning, crisis intervention, and interdisciplinary collaboration across inpatient and outpatient settings.