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Kalesta Healthcare Group
Merced, California

Per Diem Medical Social Worker MSW- Merced

Social WorkerPer Diem

Listed compensation

$35-$40/hr

The week · per this posting

Schedule not stated in this posting — no days, weekends, call or nights given.

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

Posted 5mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: CA 95340Salary Range: $35.00 - $40.00 HourlyJOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY The social worker contracted or employed through the organization is responsible for the implementation of standards of care for medical social work services and for adherence to all conditions in the Service or Employment Agreement which include providing care based on the Social Work Practice Act.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Assesses the psychosocial status of patients and families/caregivers related to the patient's terminal illness and environment and communicates findings to the registered nurse and other members of the interdisciplinary group.

Provides an assessment in the patient's identified residence and assistance when this is not safe and another plan is required. 2.

Carries out social evaluations, including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, high-risks for suicide, neglect or abuse and plans intervention based on evaluation findings. Counsels patient and family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress, and other identified coping difficulties.

Provides crisis intervention when necessary. 3. Assesses for, and educates interdisciplinary group, on any special needs related to the culture of the patient and family. Includes communication, role of family, space, and any special traditions or taboos. 4.

Maintains clinical records on all patients referred to social work prepares clinical and progress notes. 5. Educates patients and families on, and assists in, preparation of advanced directives. 6.

Provides information and referral services for organization patients and families/caregivers regarding practical and environmental needs. 7. Provides information to patients and families/caregivers and community agencies. 8. Serves as liaison between patients and families/caregivers and community agencies. 9.

Maintains collaborative relationships with organization personnel to support patient care. 10. Maintains and develops contracts with public and private agencies as resources for patient and personnel. 11.

Participates in the development of the individualized plan of care, involving the patient and family, and attends regularly scheduled interdisciplinary group meetings, assisting the team in recognizing the effects of the psychosocial stresses on the symptoms of the terminal illness. 12.

Assists physician and other team members in understanding significant social and emotional factors related to health problems and death/dying issues. 13. Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities. 14.

Assists family and patient in planning for funeral arrangements, financial, legal, and health care decision responsibilities. 15. Other duties as delegated by the Clinical Supervisor/Nursing Supervisor.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job related tasks other than those stated in this description.

Qualifications

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS 1. A graduate of a Master’s program in social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Meets personnel qualifications stated in §418.114(b)(3). 2. Minimum of one (1) year's experience in health care, hospice experience preferred.

Understands hospice philosophy, and issues of death/dying. 3. Experience in a hospice care preferred. 4. Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills. 5. Possesses and maintains current CPR Certification. 6.

Must be licensed with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.

Key Responsibilities

The Medical Social Worker is responsible for assessing the psychosocial status of terminally ill patients and their families to develop individualized plans of care. They serve as a liaison between patients and community agencies while providing crisis intervention and counseling.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program and possess at least one year of healthcare experience. A current CPR certification and a reliable, insured vehicle are also required.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Psychosocial AssessmentCase ManagementPatient CounselingAdvanced Directives EducationInterdisciplinary CollaborationClinical DocumentationFamily Dynamics EvaluationCare 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 45 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 27% are remote, 20% have no call, 47% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top contract/1099 Social Worker Jobs

44 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution33 jobs

8
<$90k
8
$90k-110k
5
$110k-130k
9
$130k-150k
3
$150k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks22 jobs

401k / retirement match
91%
CME allowance
36%
Sign-on bonus
27%
Loan repayment
14%
PSLF eligible
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - NBMC (Per Diem, Day)Per Diem

NorthBay Health · Fairfield, California

$64.03-$77.83/hr
#2

Social Worker (MSW/ACSW) - NBMC (Per Diem, Day)Per Diem

NorthBay Health · Fairfield, California

$61.45-$74.75/hr
#3

Home Health Medical Social Worker

$60-$75/hr
#4

Licensed Psych Social Worker - Sharp McDonald Center - Per Diem - Variable Shift

$50.72-$73.31/hr
+ 42 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Social Work listings

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

Living in Merced

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$373k
Typical market rent
$2,028/mo
Residents’ average commute
29 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
98.3
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 · Merced, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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