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University of Washington
Seattle, Washington

Social Worker, Senior

Social Worker Above average in Social WorkPer Diem

Listed compensation

$43.41-$67.93/hr

Listing transparency2 of 6 stated

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and nights and shift pattern.

Employment & setting
Per Diem
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Includes weekends
Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job Description

Job Posting Text

The UW Medical Center-Northwest Social Work Department has an outstanding opportunity for a Senior Social Worker.

Work Schedule

  • Per Diem
  • Rotating/Variable Shift
  • The position is variable days (including weekends and holidays), shifts (day, swing, late swing, and NOC), and shift hours (8-hrs, 10-hrs, 12-hrs) coverage all SW service areas, including: Medical IP, Perinatal Health, ED, Inpatient Psych (Geropsych and LTCC). Shifts are all onsite, telework is not available.
  • Partner with patients, their families and the health care team to address their medically related social and emotional needs and provide support and advocacy as these impact their medical condition, treatment, recovery and safe transition from one environment to another
  • Be responsible for providing a full range of social work services including psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic interventions, discharge planning, crisis intervention and resource referral(s)
  • Partner with the patient/family and the health care team to coordinate care across the continuum, improves the patients’ care through effective utilization of resources by transitioning from the acute care episode to the post-acute setting
  • Collaboration: Works collaboratively with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members, consulting and referring physicians, other practitioners, caregivers and community resources and agencies.
  • Communication: Communicates timely, relevant and accurate information to all parties involved with a patient’s care.
  • Coordination: Integrates the work of the healthcare team by coordinating resources and services necessary to accomplish agreed-upon goals.
  • Advocacy: Advocates on behalf of patients and caregivers for service access or creation, and for the protection of the patient’s health, safety and rights.
  • Resource Management: Assures prudent utilization of all resources (fiscal, human, environmental, equipment and services) by evaluating the options available and balancing cost and quality to assure the optimal clinical and financial outcomes.
  • Accountability: Accepts responsibility and accountability for achievement of optimal outcomes within their scope of practice.
  • Professionalism: Acquires and maintains knowledge and competence related to the expectations of their position and practices within their scope.
  • Provide specialty consultation to other health care staff and health care teams regarding psychosocially focused aspects of client/patient care.
  • Provide psychosocial support to patients and families.
  • Complete clinical assessments as per department standards.
  • In collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, develop and implement safe and timely discharge plans.
  • Provide care coordination for patients with complicated social and medical histories.
  • Provide case management and counseling services in specialized programs.

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 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-Northwest

UW Medical Center is an acute care hospital 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 six specialties, UW Medical Center prides itself on compassionate patient care as well as its pioneering medical advances.

The UW Medical Center–Northwest campus offers emergency and inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical, and therapeutic care. It is located in north Seattle on a beautiful, easy-to-access 44-acre campus that includes the neighboring Northwest Outpatient Medical Center and Specialty Care Meridian Pavilion.

Teamwork. Community. Opportunity.

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

$43.41 hourly

Pay Range Maximum

$67.93 hourly

Other Compensation

-

Benefits

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-temporary-per-diem-and-less-than-half-time/

Shift

  • Alternate Work Shift (United States of America)
  • Temporary or Regular?
  • This is a temporary position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent)

0.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit

SEIU 1199NW UWMC Northwest Professional

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

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 Senior Social Worker provides comprehensive psychosocial support, clinical assessments, and therapeutic interventions to patients and their families. They also coordinate care across the continuum and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to develop safe and effective discharge plans.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master of Social Work degree from an accredited program and possess at least one year of relevant healthcare social work experience. Additionally, applicants must obtain specific Washington state credentials within 90 days of hire.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Patient advocacyInterdisciplinary collaborationClinical assessmentMedical social workDocumentation

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Social Worker, Senior at University of Washington 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 5,863 active Social Work listings on WeekdayDoc.

Social Worker Career Context

University of Washington holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 70/100, 84 active listings.

Of the 40 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 40% are remote, 18% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 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.

Top Social Worker Jobs

40 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution34 jobs · 25 employers

5
<$105k
3
$105k-120k
13
$120k-135k
13
$135k-150k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks22 jobs

401k / retirement match
91%
Sign-on bonus
36%
CME allowance
32%
Loan repayment
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - Part-Time + Up to $1k BonusContract

Two Chairs · Washington, District of Columbia

$58.5-$85/hr
#2

Social Worker Hospice (LMSW) (Per Diem) - Rockland, MEPer Diem

Constellation Health Services · Rockland, Maine

$70-$80/hr
#3

LCSW III, Transplant

$56.78-$79.49/hr
#4

Home Health Medical Social Worker

$60-$75/hr
+ 38 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

6.4/ 10
Listing-based score

Above average in Social Work

  • Includes weekends

Living in Seattle

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$881k
Typical market rent
$2,234/mo
Residents’ average commute
26 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.1
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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