Gundersen Health System logo
Gundersen Health System
La Crosse, Wisconsin

Social Worker - Acute Care

Social Worker Above average in Social WorkNo weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$25.95/hr

Listing transparency4 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting and call expectations.

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
No weekends
Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Love + medicine is who we are, it's what we do, it's why people want to work here. If you’re looking for a job to love, apply today.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

36

We’re not just filling positions, we’re building careers. At Emplify Health, we care for our teams, while they care for their communities. Whether you are just starting out or looking for a change, Emplify Health supports you now and into the future. Join us and find out how a little empathy changes everything.

The Social Services team is looking for a full-time Social Worker to join the acute care team! If you are looking for a fast paced and rewarding work environment in healthcare this position might be perfect for you!

What you will work

  • Full-time: 36 - 40 hours/week
  • Business hours, Monday-Friday between 7:30am-5pm, no weekends.
  • One holiday per year rotation
  • Location: This position is located on the La Crosse main campus

What you will do

Provide a variety of services to our acute care patients including discharge planning, care coordination, care navigation, resource connections, supportive listening, ACP completion and long-term care planning

Assess complex biopsychosocial needs and provides interventions to support the individualized treatment plan.

Act as consultants and leaders in comprehensive care throughout the system, while supporting organizational strategies and goals.

What you will get

  • Starting wage of $25.95/hour + more for comparable experience
  • Department with a strong teamwork model
  • Generous compensation and benefit package!
  • Growth opportunities and access to Gundersen's Career Development Center to help you navigate your career

What you will need

  • Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or in a related field
  • WI Social Worker license is required

It is desired candidates have 1 year work experience in social services in a hospital, medical clinic, county social service agency or nursing home.

About Emplify Health by Gundersen

Emplify Health, a partnership of Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System, is a leading not-for-profit, patient-centered healthcare network based in Green Bay and La Crosse, Wisconsin. With 11 hospitals and over 100 clinics, we serve 67 cities across Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and communities.

If you need assistance with any portion of the application or have questions about the position, please contact HR-Recruitment@gundersenhealth.org or call 608-775-0267.

We inspire your best life by relentlessly caring, learning and innovating. This is our purpose. Together with our values — belonging, respect, excellence, accountability, teamwork and humility — our pillars set our foundation and our future.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Key Responsibilities

The Social Worker will provide acute care services including discharge planning, care coordination, and resource navigation for patients. They will also assess complex biopsychosocial needs and act as leaders in comprehensive care throughout the healthcare system.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related field and possess a valid Wisconsin Social Worker license. One year of experience in a hospital, medical clinic, or social service agency is desired.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree

Key Skills

Biopsychosocial assessmentIntervention planning

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Social Worker - Acute Care at Gundersen Health System a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Social Work — ranked against 5,764 active Social Work listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.

Social Worker Career Context

Of the 50 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 44% are remote, 34% have no call, 84% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Wisconsin is 94.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$54k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $57k in an average-cost state. 60.7% of Wisconsin clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Social Worker Jobs

34 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution34 jobs · 20 employers

12
<$85k
4
$85k-105k
13
$105k-125k
5
$125k-145k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks33 jobs · 20 employers

401k / retirement match
94%
CME allowance
21%
Loan repayment
18%
Sign-on bonus
6%
PSLF eligible
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Social Worker / Clinical Supervisor

Willamette Wellness Center · Oregon

starting at $137,000
#2

Licensed Clinical Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

Integrated Pain Management Medical Group · Walnut Creek, California

$115k-$135k
#3

Clinical Social Worker - Fee For Service

$135k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$117k-$134k
+ 32 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

6.4/ 10
Listing-based score

Above average in Social Work

  • No weekends
  • No nights

Living in La Crosse

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$277k
Typical market rent
$1,080/mo
Residents’ average commute
16 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
91.8
State income tax
Up to 7.7%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Gundersen Health System logo

About Gundersen Health System

Hospitals and Health Care
La Crosse, WI
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Generous Compensation and Benefit Package
Growth Opportunities
Career Development Center Access
Strong Teamwork Model