We surveyed 1,508 healthcare social workers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical healthcare social worker. Here are the results.

How much intelligence is required as a healthcare social worker?

Low

High

Working as a healthcare social worker typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.

Can I learn to become a healthcare social worker?

Intrinsic Talent

Acquired Talent

A career as a healthcare social worker typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.

Is it easy to get a job as a healthcare social worker?

Easy

Hard

It’s typically difficult to find a job as a healthcare social worker. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for healthcare social workers.

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Do healthcare social workers work full-time or part-time?

82% of healthcare social workers work in full-time roles while 18% work part-time.

Is being a healthcare social worker stressful?

Low

High

Stress is not uncommon amongst healthcare social workers, with daily work sometimes being quite demanding.

Is being organized important as a healthcare social worker?

Low

High

Some level of organization is generally required to be a healthcare social worker.

How competitive is the workplace for healthcare social workers?

Low

High

Competition at work is not common for healthcare social workers.

Does being a healthcare social worker require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?

Low

High

Healthcare social workers will have to sometimes face time pressure on the job.

Are healthcare social workers allowed to express themselves creatively?

Low

High

Healthcare social workers rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.

Do healthcare social workers have control over the direction of their work?

Low

High

Healthcare social workers tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.

Is being a healthcare social worker physically demanding?

Low

High

Being a healthcare social worker may occasionally require demanding physical activity, which may make it not a suitable career choice for everyone.

Are healthcare social workers exposed to a wide variety of work?

Low

High

While sometimes repetitive, healthcare social workers tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.

Does being a healthcare social worker require attention to detail?

Low

High

Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as a healthcare social worker.

Does being a good healthcare social worker require compassion and empathy?

Low

High

Strong compassion and empathy are critical to success as a healthcare social worker.