Clinical Social Worker - Orthopedics
Listed compensation
$59k-$97k
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern, benefits and time off.
Job Description
The purpose of the Clinical Social Worker (MSW) position is to provide both direct patient care to patients and families and assist in the coordination of team delivered services.
This is an inpatient position on the Acute Care Surgical unit at VCU Health on the Main Campus Hospital. The clinical social worker works in a fast-paced surgical unit with patients who have a wide variety of surgical needs.
The social worker has a variety of clinical and case management responsibilities to include: complete psychosocial assessments; develop treatment plans that are congruent with the overall health care plan; provide psychosocial intervention; educate patients, their family members, staff and social work students; facilitate compliance with treatment; work with the community to provide needed services; and coordinate discharge planning activities.
Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for Hire:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Virginia preferred
Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for continued employment: N/A
Experience REQUIRED
CSW Level 2: minimum of one (1) year of clinical social work experience
Experience PREFERRED
Clinical social work experience in an acute care setting preferred
Education/training REQUIRED
Master of Social Work Degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program
Education/training PREFERRED: N/A
to work alternate unit assignments, including at other clinical locations.
Age Specific grouIndependent Action(s) Required
- Initiate patient/family intervention based on self-assessment of service need(s).
- Initiate community/facility referrals based on identified patient/family needs.
- Initiate consultation with facility staff regarding psychosocial patient/family needs.
- Contact the appropriate Social Services Department to report suspected abuse/neglect/exploitation cases.
- Develop intervention plans and related interventions with patients/families/significant others.
- Initiate education activities with and for facility staff.
- Contribute to quality improvement activities through self-analysis of services and needs.
- Participate in service area meetings, training, and patient care conferences.
Supervisory Responsibilities (If Applicable)
This position may supervise social work students on a voluntary basis.
Depending on unit assignment may supervise other Masters and Doctoral Degree students from other disciplines (e. g. Psychology).
Additional Position Requirements
Depending on the unit assignment, may be required to work alternate schedules, weekends and/or holidays, and take call. May be required ps served:
As appropriate based on unit assignment
Physical Requirements (includes use of assistance devices as appropriate):
Physical - Lifting less than 20 lbs.
Activities: Prolonged standing, Prolonged sitting, Frequent bending, Walking (distance), Reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive)
Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking
Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady pace, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Noisy environment, Able to adapt to frequent change
Compensation Grade Ranges
Clinical Social Worker 2: $58,697.60 - $87,942.40
Clinical Social Worker 3: $62,420.80 - $96,740.80
Actual Salary offers will be based on several key factors to include relevant work experience, credentials, and qualifications.
Days
EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran
Key Responsibilities
The clinical social worker provides direct patient care and coordinates team-delivered services within an acute surgical unit. Responsibilities include conducting psychosocial assessments, developing treatment plans, and facilitating discharge planning for patients and their families.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master of Social Work degree from an accredited program. A minimum of one year of clinical social work experience is required, and licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia is preferred.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
Key Skills
Orthopedic Surgery — Social Worker Career Context
The cost-of-living index for Virginia is 101.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$78k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $77k in an average-cost state. 61.1% of Virginia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 50 active Social Worker listings this role was benchmarked against, 58% are remote, 32% have no call, 76% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $59k–$97k | Social Worker median $78k (middle half $63k–$97k)10 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$77k in purchasing power | Virginia index 101.1 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Social Worker listings in Virginia | 238 active | 7,183 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 58% remote · 32% no call · 76% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Virginia Social Worker listings: 10% state a sign-on bonus · 12% offer loan repayment238 active listings, Oct 2026 |
| Social Worker pay trend | +1.8% vs prior quarter | —through Sep 2026 |
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