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University of Washington
Seattle, Washington

Social Worker Assistant 2 (TWO OPENINGS!)

Social WorkerNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$33.48-$52.45/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

The Harborview Medical Center – Social Work Department has an outstanding opportunity for a Social Worker Assistant 2.

Work Schedule

  • Full-Time
  • Day shift

Position Highlights

The Social Work/Team Assistant partners with Social Workers (SW), Nurse Care Coordinators (NCCs), patients, their families and the health care team to address patients’ progression of care in inpatient. They may assist the SW and NCC team in the coordination of the discharge planning process for patients, as well as ongoing coordination of resources and referrals.

Primary Job Responsibilities

Accept and act on referrals from SW/NCCs in a timely manner, keeping the SW/NCC informed of progress on the case, documenting in the EMR per department standards, and ensuring that handoffs to all parties are clear and timely.

Assist the SW/NCCs in identifying, researching, explaining and arranging resources for families. Resources include, but are not limited to, transportation, housing, financial assistance, and safety net programs.

Updates community resource information as needed.

Under the direction of the SW/NCC, prepare letters and documents to assist families in obtaining benefits. Copy/fax/mail documents as required. Perform other clerical duties as required.

Communicate effectively with staff, patients, outside resource personnel, and medical team in carrying out responsibilities. Demonstrate ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships.

Provides direct patient care by phone, conducts screenings using standard measurement tools for behavioral health and determine specialty care resource needs, dependent on setting and position.

Completes review of insurance coverage for mental health benefits to verify and ensure eligibility for services within UW system and community.

Assists the SW/NCC and the patient/family in locating outpatient non-institutional settings (respite, shelter, housing, etc.).

Assist the patient/family with emergency needs for resources such as emergency funds, food vouchers, and transportation subsidies.

Facilitates the placement of patients in post-acute and long-term care facilities based on data obtained from clinical staff.

Assist the SW/NCC in arranging for home care needs, such as referrals to home health, hospice, in-home services or procurement of home Wound VAC.

Required Position Qualifications

Bachelor of Social Work OR a Bachelor’s Degree in the behavioral sciences AND two years experience in the social work field.

OR

An Associate of Arts Degree in the behavioral sciences AND four years of work experience in the social work field.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

About Harborview Medical Center

As the region's only Level I Trauma and verified burn center, Harborview Medical Center is a comprehensive healthcare facility owned by King County and operated by UW Medicine.

It is dedicated to providing specialized care for a broad spectrum of patients from throughout the Pacific Northwest, including the most vulnerable residents of King County.

It provides exemplary patient care in leading-edge centers of emphasis, including emergency medicine, trauma and burn care, neurosciences, ophthalmology, vascular surgery, HIV/AIDS, rehabilitation, mental health and substance abuse care.

Harborview employees are committed to the vital role the institution plays in the immediate community, as well as the entire Northwest region.

Challenge. Collaboration. Compassion.

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

$33.48 hourly

Pay Range Maximum

$52.45 hourly

Other Compensation

Benefits

For information about benefits for this position, visit washington.edu

Shift: First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent)

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit

SEIU 1199NW HMC Social Worker and Dietitian

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 Social Worker Assistant partners with the healthcare team to coordinate discharge planning, resource referrals, and patient progression of care. They also provide direct patient support by conducting behavioral health screenings and assisting with insurance eligibility and emergency resource needs.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Social Work or behavioral sciences with two years of experience, or an Associate's degree with four years of experience. Strong communication skills and the ability to navigate electronic medical records are essential for this role.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Case managementBehavioral health screeningInsurance verificationResource coordinationClerical supportDocumentationInterpersonal skillsCrisis intervention

Social Worker Career Context

University of Washington holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 71/100, 98 active listings.

Of the 50 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 76% are remote, 20% have no call, 72% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Washington is 107.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$89k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $84k in an average-cost state. 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. At the posted ~$89k midpoint, that is roughly $4k–$6k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Social Worker Jobs

42 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution42 jobs · 13 employers

8
<$80k
8
$80k-100k
16
$100k-120k
8
$120k-140k
2
$141k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks40 jobs · 13 employers

401k / retirement match
98%
Sign-on bonus
80%
CME allowance
30%
Loan repayment
8%
PSLF eligible
5%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

LifeStance Health · Vancouver, Washington

$123k-$141k
#2

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

LifeStance Health · West Linn, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$117k-$134k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Clinician (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$117k-$134k
+ 40 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 5.1
Better work-life than 40% of Social Work listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 6,572 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No nights

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.

University of Washington logo

About University of Washington

Hospitals and Health Care
Seattle, WA
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Benefits information available at UW jobs website