Social Worker - NICU
Listed compensation
$43.47-$68.03/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
The UW Medical Center-Montlake Social Work Department has an outstanding opportunity for a Social Worker within the NICU.
Work Schedule
- Full-Time / 40 hours per week
- Day Shifts
Position Highlights
- Assist medical services in providing discharge planning, resource coordination, loss and grief support and crisis intervention services to patients and families, while also serving as support for the interdisciplinary team
The ideal candidate will have experience in a hospital setting, demonstrate strong organizational and customer service skills, and possess excellent assessment and clinical intervention skills.
This position requires knowledge of policies and procedures for reporting of child and vulnerable adult abuse or neglect, knowledge of assessing and intervening with suspected victims of domestic violence and/or assault, knowledge of how to assess and intervene with patients with substance use and mental health disorders, and knowledge of government entitlement programs and how to access such programs.
The Social Worker will understand and practice culturally competent assessment and intervention skills.
Primary Job Responsibilities
- Assess patient/families for goals of treatment, psychosocial factors impacting healthcare, preferences for post-acute care, barriers to discharge, available resources.
- Collaborate with agencies/providers/payors that currently are engaged with patient, to ensure coordination of care.
- Identify and assist in transitioning patient to post–acute care resources and options
- Partner with primary team to set expectations for patients/families about timelines for choosing specific post-acute care options.
- Bridge communication between care team and patient/family with focus on patient’s goals, incorporating cultural or family issues impeding progression of patient care and discharge.
- Provide intervention/referrals for mental health, substance abuse, abuse/neglect/interpersonal violence.
- Provide counseling and support during emergent issues and/or changes in status that may impact patient’s outcome.
- Triage new referrals and assign caseloads
Required Position Qualifications
A Master of Social Work Degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education AND one year of full-time social work experience in a health care setting or equivalent. Experience can include a practicum placement as part of a social work training program and/or employment experience.
Legal Requirement
Within 90 days of hire must hold one of the following credentials issued by the state of Washington:
- Agency Affiliated Counselor
- Licensed Social Work Associate -Advanced
- Licensed Social Work Associate - Independent Clinical
- Licensed Advance Social Worker
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
About UW Medical Center-Montlake
UW Medical Center is an acute care academic medical center located in Seattle with two campuses: Montlake and Northwest. As the No. 1 hospital in Seattle and Washington State since 2012 (U.S. News & World Report) and nationally ranked in seven specialties, UW Medical Center prides itself on compassionate patient care as well as its pioneering medical advances.
The UW Medical Center-Montlake campus is located on the edge of the beautiful UW campus which includes many amenities available to our staff as well as very convenient public transit options including the Sound Transit’s light rail station across the street.
Excellence. Exploration. Education.
About UW Medicine – Where Your Impact GOES Further
UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top-rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals.
All across UW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family, student and colleague is valued and honored. Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that includes: Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, Valley Medical Center, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest.
Become part of our team. Join our mission to make life healthier for everyone in our community.
Compensation, Benefits and Position Details
Pay Range Minimum
$43.47 hourly
Pay Range Maximum
$68.03 hourly
Other Compensation
Benefits
For information about benefits for this position, visit washington.edu
Shift: First Shift (United States of America)
Temporary or Regular?
This is a regular position
FTE (Full-Time Equivalent)
100.00%
Union/Bargaining Unit
SEIU Local 925 Healthcare Prof/Lab Tech
About UW Medicine – Where Your Impact GOES Further
UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top-rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals.
All across UW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family, student and colleague is valued and honored. Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that includes: Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest.
Our Commitment
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.
Key Responsibilities
The Social Worker will provide discharge planning, resource coordination, and crisis intervention services to NICU patients and their families. They will also collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure coordinated care and support during emergent status changes.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master of Social Work degree from an accredited program and have at least one year of full-time healthcare social work experience. Additionally, they must obtain a relevant Washington state credential within 90 days of hire.
Qualifications
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Social Worker Career Context
University of Washington holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 71/100, 99 active listings.
Of the 50 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 76% are remote, 38% have no call, 78% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$116k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $108k in an average-cost state. 59.8% of Washington clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Location & Logistics
Washington has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$116k midpoint, that is roughly $5k–$8k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.
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