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Sutter Health
Oakland, California

LCSW III - SMSHCC

Social WorkerIncludes callIncludes weekendsPart-Time

Listed compensation

$118K–$165K

The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday

Weekend work is also flagged as required; confirm which days and how often.

Ask the employer about the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization

SEBMF-East Bay Medical Foundation

Position Overview

Provides biopsychosocial assessment, crisis intervention, short term counseling, linkage with resources and planning for transitions of care for patients and their families/significant others of all ages, in any patient care setting. Provides psycho-education and may facilitate support groups.

Provides consultation on psychosocial aspects of care as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team; serves as a liaison to community programs; assists and collaborates with multidisciplinary team on discharge planning; and practices independently.

Provides patients with support in adjustment to illness and facilitates goals of care conversations with patients and families. May provide education to staff and other hospital departments and participate on committees.

Job Description

  • Timely gathers appropriate data and formulates relevant assessment of patient and family’s medical, social, and emotional situations using effective interviewing techniques, direct observation, consultation with healthcare team, and review of the medical record.
  • Establishes and periodically revises the plan of care on the basis of ongoing psychosocial assessment of patient/family's concerns, strengths, needs, clinical impressions, and issues specific to spiritual and cultural values.
  • Appropriately gathers data reflective of the patient's and family's developmental stages and incorporates data into assessment and plan of care.
  • Appropriately assesses for discharge planning resources.
  • Appropriately assesses suspected situations of abuse and/or neglect.

PROVIDES DIRECT CLINICAL SERVICES, WHICH MAY INCLUDE DISCHARGE PLANNING/TRANSITIONS OF CARE, INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING, CRISIS INTERVENTION, FACILITATING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT GROUPS AND LINKAGE WITH RESOURCES TO PATIENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF AS INDICATED BY BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT AND PLAN OF CARE.

  • Establishes therapeutic relationship while recognizing diverse cultural norms and spiritual values.
  • Communicates effectively to empower patients/family’s to develop productive coping mechanisms, behaviors and thought processes.
  • Identifies and effectively addresses resistance and conflict in work with patients. Intervenes to decrease tension and assist patient in evaluating non-productive behaviors.
  • Demonstrates self-awareness by recognizing and monitoring personal values, boundaries, sensitivities and emotions to effectively intervene with the patient/family.
  • Provides psycho-education to patient/family related to health literacy, transitions of care, and community resources.
  • Provides education to interdisciplinary staff regarding high-risk and psychosocial aspects impacting patients/family.
  • Identifies and provides linkage to community resources.
  • Coordinates discharge planning/transition of care by providing resources and initiating referrals to appropriate agencies as needed.

ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF PATIENTS AND FAMILIES FOR SERVICES, ACCESS TO CARE, AND FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PATIENT’S SAFETY AND RIGHTS.

  • Promotes the patient’s right to self-determination. Assists the healthcare team in understanding the patient’s perspective.
  • Advocates for culturally and linguistically competent care.
  • Assists in identifying ethical issues, utilizes the chain of command and/or refer to the Bioethics Committee.
  • Appropriately intervenes in situations of suspected abuse and/or neglect.
  • Advocates to address psychosocial barriers that impact transitions of care.

DOCUMENTS IN THE PATIENT MEDICAL RECORD AND OTHER HOSPITAL/ DEPARTMENT RECORDS IN AN ACCURATE, CONCISE, AND TIMELY MANNER.

  • Maintains accurate, current, patient records using approved forms and format.
  • Documents all assessments, plans, interventions, patient/family involvement, outside agency communication, interdisciplinary contacts and case closure according to social work and patient care area standards.
  • Complies with all documentation and reporting requirements for risk management, mandated reporting and other medical/legal situations, in a manner consistent with confidentiality regulations and department standards.
  • Submits patient billing forms (outpatient programs), administrative forms, and other information requests or reports to the department, other departments, and community agencies in a complete, accurate and timely manner.

ESTABLISHES AND MAINTAINS POSITIVE, EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER HOSPITAL DEPARTMENTS, MEDICAL STAFF AND COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES.

  • Interprets clinical findings, promptly communicates assessment and plan of care updates. Collaborates with healthcare team and agency representatives, adhering to confidentiality guidelines.
  • Responds quickly to requests, flexibly adapts to changing priorities, and keeps other departments informed of progress on patient referrals and other work activities to ensure efficient coordination of activities.
  • Develops positive, productive relationships with healthcare team members and representatives of community agencies, effectively collaborating on process improvement activities and staff/community education.
  • May serve as a member on hospital committees, such as the Bioethics Committee.

FOSTERS AN ENVIRONMENT OF MUTUAL SUPPORT AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT.

  • Actively builds positive relationships throughout the department. Uses effective interpersonal communication skills.
  • Flexibly adapts to changes in the work environment, resolves issues related to assignments and departmental functioning in a timely, positive and effective manner. Demonstrates a commitment to teamwork, by willingly accepting responsibilities and performing assignments beyond the immediate scope of routine duties.
  • Actively participates in department activities including huddles, staff meetings, committees and task forces.
  • Meets all applicable hospital and department standards for productivity, performance metrics, annual competency validation, safety education, licensure, and departmental performance/process improvement.
  • Participates in orientation of new staff or interns. Provides guidance and case consultation to interns and colleagues.

Education

Master's: Social Work or related field

Certification & Licensure

LCSW-Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Department Required Certification & Licensure

TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:

2 years recent relevant experience

Skills and Knowledge

Clinical skills in biopsychosocial assessment and clinical interventions, including crisis intervention, intervention with patient/family behavioral issues, grief counseling, supportive counseling, adjustment to illness, life review/end of life support, behavioral change therapy, motivational interviewing, short-term family counseling, group facilitation.

Collaboration skills and ability to work effectively on a team.

Skills in patient and family advocacy.

Knowledge of transitions of care and community resources.

Knowledge of post-acute levels of care and resource needs for discharge planning

Knowledge of child, elder and dependent adult abuse, crimes against persons reporting requirements, and other significant regulations affecting clinical social work practice (e. g. Tarasoff, patient confidentiality).

Knowledge of behavioral health and the skills to assess mental health functioning, high risk behaviors, depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric conditions impacting hospitalization or transitions of care.

Knowledge of suicidal behavior, and the skills necessary to assess lethality, and to develop and implement an appropriate plan of care.

Knowledge of substance use and the skills to assess level of addiction, motivation for change, and to develop and implement an appropriate plan of care.

Knowledge and understanding of the influence of cultural and spiritual values in social work practice.

Knowledge and skills necessary to provide psychosocial care appropriate to the age-specific needs of newborns, children, adolescents, adults and elders.

Knowledge of palliative care, goals of care discussions, and the psychosocial needs of the patient and family at end-of-life.

Knowledge of bioethics and legal issues impacting patient care.

Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing.

Must demonstrate interpersonal and organizational skills, to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities and competing demands.

Proficient in using a computer to accurately enter and extract data, send and receive email, calendar appointments, and use task lists as will be using a variety of computer software programs.

Knowledge of local county / state / federal resources for at-risk population.

Job Shift

Days

Schedule: Full Time

Shift Hours

8

Days of the Week

Monday - Friday

Weekend Requirements

None

Benefits

Yes

Unions

No

Position Status: Non-Exempt

Weekly Hours

32

Employee Status

Regular

  • Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
  • Pay Range is $56.78 to $79.49 / hour

The compensation range may vary based on the geographic location where the position is filled. Total compensation considers multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.

Key Responsibilities

Provides biopsychosocial assessments, crisis intervention, and short-term counseling to patients and families across various care settings. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to manage discharge planning, transitions of care, and advocacy for patient rights and safety.

Requirements

Requires a Master's degree in Social Work or a related field and a current LCSW license. Candidates must have at least two years of recent relevant experience in clinical social work.

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Patient advocacyCase managementInterdisciplinary collaboration

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates LCSW III - SMSHCC at Sutter Health a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) — ranked against 2,010 active Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Social Worker Career Context

Of the 45 active Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) listings this role was benchmarked against, 29% are remote, 16% have no call, 44% 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 Social Worker Jobs

44 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution32 jobs

10
<$90k
3
$90k-110k
9
$110k-130k
8
$130k-150k
2
$150k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks24 jobs

401k / retirement match
96%
CME allowance
25%
Sign-on bonus
13%
Loan repayment
4%
Relocation assistance
4%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

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Sutter Health · San Francisco, California

$56.78-$79.49/hr
#2

Home Health Medical Social WorkerPer Diem

BAYADA Home Health Care · Newton, Massachusetts

$60-$75/hr
#3

Social Worker LCSW - Oncall, Variable, (Remote)

$30.3-$72.13/hr
#4

Social Worker / MSW (PRN)

$65-$70/hr
+ 42 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.1this job 6.4
Better work-life than 60% of Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 2,010 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call
  • Includes weekends

Living in Oakland

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$853k
Typical market rent
$2,735/mo
Residents’ average commute
30 min
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.

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