Is becoming a healthcare social worker right for me?
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How to become a Healthcare Social Worker
The first step to becoming a healthcare social worker is to get a bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW).
A master’s degree (MSW) is required to specialize as a healthcare social worker. Many healthcare specialists work on their master’s degrees part-time. This allows them to earn a living while still pursuing a higher degree. Employers sometimes offer tuition assistance.
After obtaining a MSW, a healthcare social worker can begin working towards their certification in healthcare. Certification is not required, but it can help in attaining top-level positions and pay. To become certified, the candidate must have two years of experience working at a master’s degree level, have 20 hours of continuing education, and take a certification examination given by the National Association of Social Workers. This certification lets employers and clients know that the healthcare social worker has achieved the highest level of training and education in the specialty of healthcare services.