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University of Rochester
Rochester, New York

Social Worker

Social WorkerFull-Time

Listed compensation

$63k-$85k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address)

601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642

Opening

Worker Subtype

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Department: 500136 Psychiatry SMH Social Work

Work Shift

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range

UR URCC 211

Compensation Range

$63,086.00 - $85,176.00

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities

The social worker in this position provides social work services to patients and their families admitted for mental health treatment. The float social worker covers the planned and unplanned absences of the unit based social workers as identified by the Senior Social Worker.

The social worker is responsible for covering a minimum of 6 beds, or as need indicates. As a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, the social worker participates in the development and implementation of the patient’s treatment and discharge plan.

The social worker is responsible for providing psychosocial and family assessments, and for the overall coordination of the discharge planning process for patients hospitalized on Adult Inpatient Psychiatry units and Pediatric Inpatient Psychiatry units.

The social worker provides individual, family, or group treatment that will contribute to the implementation of a comprehensive discharge plan. The social worker also provides social work treatment in response to patient/family psychosocial problems which may impede care and/or discharge.

The social worker develops interagency relationships and mobilizes community resources on behalf of the patients and/or their families.

Essential Functions

Functions as a member of an interdisciplinary team and participates in patient rounding. Complete Psychosocial Risk Screen at time of admission and ongoing assessment throughout hospitalization. Provides individual, family and group interventions in response to identified psychosocial risks.

Identifies and coordinates safe and timely discharge plan with treatment team, patients/families and ensures a comprehensive discharge plan. Initiate and/or facilitates completion of Safety Plan with patient prior to discharge from hospital.

Identifies contacts and coordinates with outpatient providers/agencies to facilitate continuity of care and discharge planning for the patient. Assesses agency involvement and mobilizes family and/or appropriate community resources to support the patient’s successful functioning post discharge. Documents these interventions in compliance with Division, Department and Hospital Policy.

Provides education to patients and families related to internal and community resources and referrals, advocates and supports patients and their families in their efforts to interact with complex social service agencies involved in their care.

Documents these interventions in compliance with Division, Department and Hospital Policy, to include any safety plans or other documentation crucial to discharge planning and continuity of care.

Attends Social Work Division and Department Staff meetings, as required. Participates in activities of the Social Work Division including but not limited to timely completion of time reporting and other Hospital or Division forms; Hospital and Division mandatory in-service training programs and UHS reviews.

Subscribes to the Departmental goal of creating a culturally competent environment by treating patients, families, trainees, and co-workers in a sensitive manner with appropriate attention to cultural differences. Participates in available cultural competence events and training appropriate to job duties.

May provide social work coverage and back-up as needed during the absence of co-workers in the inpatient services.

Other duties, as requested and assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience

  • Master's degree from an accredited school of social work required
  • 2 years of prior professional experience working in acute psychiatric or behavioral health clinical setting preferred;
  • Or equivalent combination of education and experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge about behavioral health assessments/evaluations and evidenced based interventions preferred;
  • Commitment to and routine demonstration of biopsychosocial approach to care of individuals and families preferred;
  • Dedication to delivering a team-based integrated model of care preferred.

Demonstrates cultural humility and anti-racism values and works toward ensuring all patients feel welcome preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

LMSW - Licensed Medical Social Worker - State Licensure within 1-1/2 years required or

If duties will be performed under OMH a minimum of a limited permit (not to exceed 1 year) or NYS Licensure upon hire required

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better.

In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics).

This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree from an accredited school of social work and possess or be eligible for LMSW licensure. Two years of professional experience in an acute psychiatric or behavioral health setting is preferred.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Psychosocial assessmentCrisis interventionInterdisciplinary collaborationCase managementPatient advocacySafety planningCommunity resource mobilizationFamily therapyGroup therapy

Psychiatry — Social Worker Career Context

Of the 50 active Psychiatry listings this role was benchmarked against, 52% are remote, 26% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for New York is 107.9 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$74k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $69k in an average-cost state. 64.6% of New York clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Psychiatry pay on WeekdayDoc is down 15.4% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Top Social Worker Jobs

39 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution39 jobs · 27 employers

17
<$85k
5
$85k-105k
8
$105k-125k
9
$125k-145k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks33 jobs · 27 employers

401k / retirement match
97% this job
Sign-on bonus
30%
CME allowance
12%
Loan repayment
6%
PSLF eligible
3%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

LifeStance Health · Vancouver, Washington

$123k-$141k
#2

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

LifeStance Health · West Linn, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$118k-$135k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$117k-$134k
+ 37 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.8this job 3.0
Below most Psychiatry (Social Work) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 60 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site

Living in Rochester

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$247k≈ 3.9× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,476/mo≈ 28% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
19 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
97.0
State income tax
Up to 10.9%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Rochester, NY metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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Benefits & Perks

Health insurance
Dental
Vision
Retirement plan