VCU Health logo
VCU Health
Richmond, Virginia

Psychiatric Social Worker

Social Worker Above average in Psychiatry (Social Work)No weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$69k-$106k

Listing transparency2 of 6 stated

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

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
No weekends
Posted 48m ago · Verified live

Job Description

The Psych Social Worker-LCSW provides direct diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic treatment services where a patient’s functioning has been affected by social issues and mental health disorders.

This job conducts clinical biopsychosocial assessments, create therapeutic treatment plans, and provide support, education, therapy, and safe discharge planning for all patients within the assigned department.

This job also requires family meetings, family therapy, family education, and family input (as appropriate) in treatment and discharge plans.

The Psych Social Worker-LCSW provides therapeutic intervention for various mental health disorders, including, but not limited to, Cognitive Disorders, Substance-Related Disorders, Schizophrenia and other Psychotic Disorders, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Adjustment Disorders, and Personality Disorders. This position works closely and have daily interaction with attending psychiatrist, resident psychiatrist, nurse practitioner and nurse.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for Hire:

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Virginia required.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for continued employment:

Current LCSW license required.

Experience REQUIRED

Minimum of five (5) years of psychiatric social work experience.

Experience PREFERRED

Previous work experience providing case management and discharge planning in an acute psychiatric care setting or psychiatric outpatient.

Previous work experience providing individual, group, and/or family therapy in an acute psychiatric care setting or psychiatric outpatient facility.

One (1) year in a lead role.

Education/training REQUIRED

Masters of Social Work Degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program.

Education/training PREFERRED: N/A

Independent Action(s) Required

Conducting clinical biopsychosocial assessments to include mental health symptoms, substance use issues, housing concerns, financial and employment problems, abuse and domestic violence history, religious faith or spirituality, military status, medical issues, and any other psychiatric, social, or health issues.

Providing proactive development, implementation, and ongoing revision of an interdisciplinary plan of care for patients, specifically addressing the patients’ social issues and psychiatric reasons for admission such as suicidality, homicidally, psychotic disorder symptoms, and mood disorder symptoms.

Providing individual, group, and family therapy, in order to appropriately assess, diagnose, and treat patients affected by social issues and mental health disorders.

Implementing appropriate therapeutic interventions to assess, diagnose, treat, and provide resources for mental illness, substance use, housing concerns, trauma, domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse/neglect, guardianship and other complex psychiatric, social, or medical issues.

Collaborating daily with patients, their families, the interdisciplinary team, and community agencies to facilitate a safe discharge plan.

Supervisory responsibilities (if applicable): Serves as a team lead for unlicensed clinical social workers who provide individual, group, or family supportive counseling.

Additional Position Requirements

Depending on the unit assignment, may be required to work alternate schedules, weekends and/or holidays.

Age Specific groups served: All

  • Physical Requirements (includes use of assistance devices as appropriate):
  • Physical: Lifting less than 20 lbs.
  • Activities: Prolonged standing, Prolonged sitting, Walking (distance)
  • Repetitive motion: Typing

Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking

Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady pace, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Noisy environment, Able to adapt to frequent, change

Compensation Range

$68,660.80 - $106,433.60

Actual salary offers will be based on several key factors to include relevant work experience, credentials, and qualifications.

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran

Key Responsibilities

The Psychiatric Social Worker provides diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic treatment services for patients with mental health disorders and social issues. They collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to develop treatment plans, conduct assessments, and facilitate safe discharge planning.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master of Social Work degree and a current Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license in Virginia. A minimum of five years of psychiatric social work experience is required for this role.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
5+ years of experience

Key Skills

Individual therapyGroup therapyCrisis interventionMental health diagnosisSubstance abuse counselingInterdisciplinary collaborationTrauma-informed carePatient educationDocumentation

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Psychiatric Social Worker at VCU Health a 6.0 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Psychiatry (Social Work) — ranked against 55 active Psychiatry (Social Work) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.

Psychiatry — Social Worker Career Context

VCU Health ranks #7 of 15 employers hiring Social Worker on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Social Worker listings this role was benchmarked against, 24% are remote, 36% have no call, 74% require no weekends.

Social Worker pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.3% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Virginia is 101.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$88k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $87k in an average-cost state. 61.1% of Virginia clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Social Worker Jobs

30 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution30 jobs · 24 employers

9
<$85k
7
$85k-105k
9
$105k-125k
4
$125k-145k
1
$150k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks26 jobs · 24 employers

401k / retirement match
92%
Loan repayment
19%
CME allowance
19%
Sign-on bonus
15%
PSLF eligible
8%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Therapist

New Dawn Treatment Centers · Wasilla, Alaska

$125k-$150k
#2

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

LifeStance Health · Corvallis, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#3

Licensed Clinical Social Worker / Clinical Supervisor

starting at $137,000
#4

Licensed Clinical Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$115k-$135k
+ 28 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

6.0/ 10
Listing-based score

Above average in Psychiatry (Social Work)

  • No weekends

Living in Richmond

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$342k
Typical market rent
$1,648/mo
Residents’ average commute
22 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
97.9
State income tax
Up to 5.8%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Richmond, VA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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