Stanford Health Care logo
Stanford Health Care
Santa Clara, California

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - Behavioral Health, Primary Care

Social WorkerNo weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$52.69-$69.82/hr

The week · per this posting · Monday – FridayWeekdays only

Ask the employer about the work setting and call expectations.

Posted 7mo ago

Job Description

If you're ready to be part of our legacy of hope and innovation, we encourage you to take the first step and explore our current job openings. Your best is waiting to be discovered. Day - 08 Hour (United States of America)

  • Department: Social Work Case Management/Santa Clara Primary Care Commitment: Full-Time (1.0 FTE)
  • Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08-HR, Day Shift
  • Location: Santa Clara, CA The LCSW Behavioral Health Clinician (BHC) provides integrated behavioral health services in the primary care clinic setting, focusing on addressing the behavioral health needs of patients and improving overall health outcomes

The LCSW BHC is a core member of the care team, collaborating closely with the primary care provider and psychiatric consultant to screen, assess and treat patients' behavioral health needs through brief interventions, care coordination and referrals to specialized mental health services. In this role, the BHC will deliver evidence-based brief interventions using techniques such as motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, and problem-solving strategies; and be comfortable drawing from modalities and frameworks, such as CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, ACT, DBT, etc. Additionally, the BHC will monitor patients for changes in clinical symptoms and treatment side effects/complications, and consult with the psychiatrist who makes recommendations with a goal of reduction in symptoms.

Why Work at Stanford Medicine | Stanford Health Care (SHC)?

  • Community: we have a large team of Social Work clinicians
  • 2K for education funds
  • 5 paid days for training/CEUs
  • Opportunities to be involved in committees, research, a teaching environment.
  • Community engagement opportunities
  • SHC Social Workers are recognized as bold leaders, compassionate healers, educators, and mentors.
  • We are a team that celebrates, uplifts, and empowers our employees. This is a Stanford Health Care job. A Brief Overview Licensed Clinical Social Worker is fully qualified and full-proficiency level of professional social work for employees who are licensed by the State of California as Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW). Positions at this level are characterized by substantial professional responsibility and independence of action for providing social work services. As a member of a multidisciplinary health care team, Licensed Clinical Social Worker provides therapeutic assessment and appropriate interventions for patients/families as needed as well as discharge planning to patients and/or clients as well as their families receiving services within any department of the Stanford Health. Work typically involves a variety of bio-psychosocial issues, assessment of the social needs as related to the patient's/client's health status, and the development of a plan of services, including advocacy, discharge planning, referrals and practical assistance necessary to accomplish desired objectives. Provides consultation, orientation and training to health care staff on the effects of bio-psycho-social, cultural and economic issues on the management of patient/client health needs. This job description covers all classifications for Social Workers within the organization. All Social Workers must meet all elements of the Essential Functions, and Qualifications. There is a Voluntary professional development program designed to recognize and reward professional excellence in the role of Social Worker. Promotion is determined based on the Social Worker Professional Development Program. Here is a description of the various levels: Level I: Social Worker Level II: Advanced Social Worker Level III: Expert Social Worker Locations Stanford Health Care What you will do Collaborates with interdisciplinary health care teams to treat and plan for the social and medical needs of patients by consulting with other providers and making referrals. Assesses, develops, and implements interventions as necessary. Conducts initial assessment of all new referrals to evaluate social, emotional, and physical needs by applying social work theories and techniques; interviews and evaluates patients and family members. Identifies factors which may interfere with obtaining maximum benefits from treatment. Develops and implements patient management plans, including the coordination of referrals to specialty and social services, the recording of progress notes and the provision of continuity of care. Helps clients cope with environmental and psychological issues of illness by explaining options and treatments as well as making appropriate referrals. Manages assigned caseload. Prepares and maintains records and makes written and oral reports to document case activity concerning patient care, counseling and therapeutic activities in accordance with department, hospital, medical center and/or health system policies. Prepares reports concerning patients. Participates in monitoring and evaluating the quality and appropriateness of patient care. Provides supportive counseling, grief counseling, crisis intervention and other appropriate therapeutic services to assist patients and families in coping with presenting symptoms and problems such as, for example, coping with illness, accepting medical recommendations, and loss of function. Provides education to patients and families around issues related to adaptation to the patient's diagnosis, illness, treatment and/or life situation. Education

Qualifications

Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university Experience

Qualifications

Two (2) years of progressively responsible and directly related work experience and Must meet criteria for Social Worker Professional Development Program Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Ability to apply theories, principles and practices of medical social work and of social services delivery systems in a hospital or medical center setting.

Ability to gather data needed to assess needs of patients and families. Ability to manage a caseload, recall case details; maintain confidentiality of information; determine the appropriate course of action in emergencies and other stressful situations. Ability to provide written case narratives and reports.

Knowledge of and ability to apply effective assessment, interviewing, and counseling techniques. Knowledge of and ability to apply social work theories, principles and techniques.

Knowledge of hospital and medical center resources to access and provide for patient care needs, and act on behalf of client needs to obtain necessary services. Knowledge of needs, problems, attitudes, and behavior of hospital patients and their families.

Licenses and Certifications LCSW - Lic Clinical Social Worker required. These principles apply to ALL employees: SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families.

Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients, families and towards each other. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford’s patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions.

Simply put, we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health, healing and recovery.

You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars, from the patient and family’s perspective: Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination

Equal Opportunity Employer

Stanford Health Care (SHC) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment.

Accordingly, SHC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above.

People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.

Base Pay Scale: Generally starting at $52.69 - $69.82 per hour The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. This pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage.

At Stanford Health Care, we seek to provide patients with the very best in diagnosis and treatment, with outstanding quality, compassion and coordination.

With an unmatched track record of scientific discovery, technological innovation and translational medicine, Stanford Medicine physicians are pioneering leading edge therapies today that will change the way health care is delivered tomorrow.

As part of our spirit of discovery, we also leverage our deep relationships with luminary Silicon Valley companies to develop new ways to deliver preeminent patient care. Learn about our awards and significant events.

Key Responsibilities

The LCSW Behavioral Health Clinician provides integrated behavioral health services within the primary care setting, focusing on patient needs and improving health outcomes through collaboration with the care team. This involves delivering evidence-based brief interventions, coordinating care, making referrals, and monitoring patient progress and treatment side effects.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Social Work from an accredited institution and hold a current California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license. A minimum of two years of progressively responsible and directly related work experience is required, along with the ability to apply medical social work principles and manage a caseload effectively.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Screening

Primary Care — Social Worker Career Context

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$127k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $115k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 36 active Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) listings this role was benchmarked against, 50% are remote, 31% have no call, 53% require no weekends.

What does the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) market look like in California?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.4 / 10 · above average in licensed clinical social worker (lcsw)ranked against 2,010 Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$110k–$145kLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) median $72k (middle half $62k–$90k)43 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$115k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) listings in California763 active7,108 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 50% remote · 31% no call · 53% no weekends36 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedCalifornia Social Worker listings: 7% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 6% offer loan repayment763 active listings, Nov 2026
New Primary Care listings991 in the last 30 days626 the 30 days before (+58%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Stanford Health Caresilver tier, 70/100Top Employers work-life index51 active listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (2,010 Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) listings), Top Employers work-life index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - Behavioral Health, Primary Care at Stanford Health Care a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) — ranked against 2,010 active Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.

Top Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Jobs

29 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

26 jobs · 18 employers
6
<$100k
7
$100k-120k
7
$120k-140k
5
$140k-160k
1
$175k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

20 jobs · 18 employers
401k / retirement match
90%
Sign-on bonus
50%
CME allowance
35% this job
Loan repayment
5%
Relocation assistance
5%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

LCSW Clinical Supervisor - Leadership Track

Ellie Mental Health - 128 · McLean, Virginia

$61-$84/hr
#2

LCSW III

Sutter Health · Sacramento, California, United States

$53.36-$74.7/hr
#3

LCSW Clinician

$65-$73.16/hr
#4

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Full Time, Day)

$58.21-$70.76/hr
+ 27 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.4
Better work-life than 60% of Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 2,010 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • No nights
Stanford Health Care logo

About Stanford Health Care

Hospitals and Health Care
Palo Alto, California
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Education funds ($2,000)
5 paid days for training/CEUs
Community engagement opportunities
Professional development program

Living in Santa Clara

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.67M
Typical market rent
$3,958/mo
Residents’ average commute
23 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
110.4
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.