Psychiatric Social Worker
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
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
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 paySalary Distribution30 jobs · 24 employers
Annual compensation range
Benefits & Perks26 jobs · 24 employers
Share of similar jobs offering each benefit
Therapist
New Dawn Treatment Centers · Wasilla, Alaska
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
LifeStance Health · Corvallis, Oregon
Licensed Clinical Social Worker / Clinical Supervisor
starting at $137,000Licensed Clinical Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)
$115k-$135k