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CalOptima Health
Orange, California

Social Worker (PACE)

Social WorkerFull-Time

Listed compensation

$68k-$109k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 7mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Join Us in this Amazing Opportunity

The Team You’ll Join

We are a mission driven community-based organization that serves member health with excellence and dignity, respecting the value and needs of each person. If you are ready to advance your career while making a difference, we encourage you to review and apply today and help us build healthier communities for all.

More About the Opportunity

We are hoping you will join us as a Social Worker (PACE) and help shape the future of healthcare where you’ll be an integral part of our PACEC - Social Work team, helping to strive for excellence while we serve our member health with dignity, respecting the value and needs of each of our members through collaboration with our providers, community partners and local stakeholders.

This position has been approved to be Full Office.

  • If telework is approved, you are required to work within the State of California only and if Partial Telework, also come in to the Main Office in Orange, CA, at least two (2) days per week minimum.

The Social Worker for the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) will be responsible for direct social work care management services, such as participant screening, case management, counseling and referrals of participants to PACE. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable health system.

Your Contributions To the Team

  • 70% - Care Management
  • Participates in a mission driven culture of high-quality performance, with a member focus on customer service, consistency, dignity and accountability.
  • Participates in the Interdisciplinary Team’s (IDT) initial, six (6) month and annual assessments, as well as care planning of the participant's case in accordance with industry and departmental standards.
  • Documents participant changes appropriately in the medical record in accordance with industry and departmental standards.
  • Communicates effectively and openly with other IDT members on participant status and needs.
  • Assesses patients for high-risk situations such as suicidal/homicidal ideation and abuse. Reports appropriately in accordance with legal and ethical standards of practice and engages in safety planning with participants and/or family.
  • Develops and leads group counseling and participant support group activities.
  • Refers participants and families to appropriate community agencies or facilities, serves as a liaison with such organizations and as an advocate for participants.
  • Assists in the completion of advance directives, mortuary arrangements, funeral planning and/or facility placement.
  • Aids patients/representatives in ascertaining third-party and financial resources and planning for financial coverage for services as necessary.
  • Addresses any psychosocial needs that may require social work support and intervention (e. g., anxiety, depression and other behaviors), both at the center and at home.
  • Works with PACE participants and the IDT to develop an appropriate discharge plan for disenrolling from PACE services.
  • May be required to perform home visits to private homes of CalOptima Health’s PACE participants; frequent travel in Orange County.
  • Support PACE participants with care coordination needs, such as transportation, family communication, scheduling visits to the center, supporting with warm handoff process to our community partners.
  • Represents and supports the participant’s care management needs by being an advocate for their care, supporting clinical needs such as supportive counseling, developing care plans to manage all psychosocial needs (i. e., establishing support systems, coping mechanisms, assessing depression, anxiety, cognition) and developing interventions.
  • 25% - Support Services
  • Assists the team in carrying out department responsibilities and collaborates with others to support short and long-term goals/priorities for the department.
  • Consults with and advises staff members regarding the relationship of social, emotional and cultural factors to health and medical care and the availability of social services in the community.
  • Attends and participates in in-services, staff meetings and case conferences.
  • Helps support the new enrollee process of enrollment into the PACE program (e. g., communicates to IDT and ensures all service gaps are covered prior to enrollment).
  • Participates in program improvement for the Social Work department.
  • Works with the Quality Improvement (QI) department to support grievances, appeals and advocacy consistent with participant’s rights.
  • 5% - Other
  • Completes other projects and duties as assigned.

Do You Have What the Role Requires?

  • Master’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university PLUS 2 years of experience in a health-related field required; an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position such as those listed above may also be qualifying.
  • 1 year of experience working with the elderly population with relevant experience within the last 3 years required.
  • Bilingual in English and in one of CalOptima Health's defined threshold languages (Arabic, Farsi, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese).
  • CPR and First-Aid Certification required or must be obtained within six (6) months of the date of hire.
  • Valid driver’s license and vehicle or other approved means of transportation, an acceptable driving record and current auto insurance will be required for work away from the primary office 30% of the time or more.

You’ll Stand Out More If You Possess the Following:

  • 1 year of case management experience with the elderly population.
  • What the Regulatory Agencies Need You to Possess?
  • N/A

Your Knowledge & Abilities to Bring to this Role:

  • Develop rapport and establish and maintain effective working relationships with CalOptima Health's leadership and staff and external contacts at all levels and with diverse backgrounds.
  • Work independently and exercise sound judgment.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Work a flexible schedule; available to participate in evening and weekend events.
  • Organize, be analytical, problem-solve and possess project management skills.
  • Work in a fast-paced environment and in an efficient manner.
  • Manage multiple projects and identify opportunities for internal and external collaboration.
  • Motivate and lead multi-program teams and external committees/coalitions.
  • Utilize computer and appropriate software (e. g., Microsoft Office: Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and job specific applications/systems to produce correspondence, charts, spreadsheets, and/or other information applicable to the position assignment.

Your Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations)

  • Ability to visually read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
  • Ability to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
  • Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
  • Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
  • Lifting and moving objects, patients and/or equipment 10 to 25 pounds

Ways We Are Here For You

  • You’ll enjoy competitive compensation for this role.
  • Our current hiring range is: Pay Grade: 309 - $68,015 - $108,824 ($32.70 - $52.3192).
  • The final salary offered will be based on education, job-related knowledge and experience, skills relevant to the role and internal equity among other factors.
  • This position is approved for Full Office (

If the Position Is Telework, It Is Eligible in California Only

)

  • A comprehensive benefits package
  • CalPERS pension program and additional retirement packages.

Additional Benefits and Perks Including

  • A generous PTO program
  • A quality work life balance
  • Various wellness programs
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Career development opportunities
  • Flexible scheduling
  • And the satisfaction of knowing your work directly impacts and improves healthcare access for thousands of individuals and families.

Our Work Environment

If located at the 500, 505 Building or a remote work location:

  • Work is typically indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours, with travel as needed.
  • There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
  • The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.

If Located at PACE

  • Work is typically indoors in a clinical setting serving the frail and elderly.
  • There may be harmful or hazardous environmental conditions present for this job.
  • The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate to loud.

If Located in the Community

  • Work is typically indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours, with travel as needed.
  • Employee will occasionally work outdoors in varied temperatures.
  • There may be harmful or hazardous environmental conditions present for this job.
  • The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Why Join Us?

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. Each employee brings a unique perspective to the overall team and we value everyone's input and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment wh

Key Responsibilities

The Social Worker is primarily responsible for direct social work care management services, including participant screening, case management, counseling, and referrals, while actively participating in the Interdisciplinary Team's assessments and care planning.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in social work plus 2 years of experience in a health-related field, along with a minimum of 1 year of experience working with the elderly population within the last 3 years. Bilingual proficiency in English and a threshold language, CPR/First-Aid certification, and a valid driver's license are also required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Interdisciplinary Team CollaborationDocumentationRisk AssessmentFinancial Resource PlanningPsychosocial SupportDischarge Planning

Social Worker Career Context

In California, the Social Work weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$96k (944 salary observations; 1,766 listings), vs ~$81k nationally (6,661 salary observations; 20,737 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2025-12-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

Of the 50 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 38% are remote, 32% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$88k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $80k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Social Worker Jobs

39 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution39 jobs · 35 employers

10
<$90k
10
$90k-110k
13
$110k-130k
5
$130k-150k
1
$161k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks31 jobs

401k / retirement match
94% this job
Sign-on bonus
39%
CME allowance
32%
Loan repayment
19%
PSLF eligible
16%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Supervisor, Care Management (Social Worker)

Centene · Illinois

$87k-$161k
#2

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

LifeStance Health · Vancouver, Washington

$123k-$141k
#3

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

$123k-$141k
#4

Behavioral Health Provider (ASW/LCSW or AMFT/LMFT) - Napa

$88k-$138k
+ 37 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 4.8
Better work-life than 40% of Social Work listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 6,459 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site

Living in Orange

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.05M≈ 15.4× annual pay
Typical market rent
$3,116/mo≈ 55% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
26 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
113.6
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

CalOptima Health logo

About CalOptima Health

Benefits & Perks

CalPERS pension
Generous PTO
Wellness programs
Tuition reimbursement
Professional development
Flexible scheduling