Medical Social Worker (MSW)
いりょうそーしゃるわーかー
Industry & Occupation
Classification
Summary
A professional who identifies social issues of patients and families in medical settings and provides support by utilizing welfare systems, home services, and more.
Description
Medical Social Workers (MSWs) are specialists in medical institutions who assess the economic, psychological, and social problems of patients and their families, and coordinate post-discharge life planning and welfare service utilization. As members of multidisciplinary teams, they collaborate with doctors, nurses, rehabilitation staff, and others to develop individualized support plans, leveraging community-based integrated care systems and various programs to support patients' social reintegration and QOL improvement. Main tasks include handling consultations, counseling, coordinating with related organizations, and creating case records.
Future Outlook
With the aging population and the promotion of community-based integrated care, demand for medical social workers is increasing. In the future, stronger collaboration between medical care and welfare will be required, and opportunities for active roles will expand further.
Personality Traits
Adaptable / Empathetic / Good Listener / Problem-Solving Oriented
Work Style
Hospital Full-Time / Multidisciplinary Team / Part-Time Contract / Shift Work
Career Path
New Medical Social Worker → Senior Medical Social Worker → Chief Medical Social Worker → Medical Welfare Department Leader → Hospital Welfare Department Manager
Required Skills
Case Record Creation / Communication Skills (Counseling) / Discharge Support Coordination / Knowledge of Welfare Systems / Support Plan Creation
Recommended Skills
Basics of Psychology / Community-Based Integrated Care / Hospitality Mindset / Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Adaptability | To quickly respond to changes in situations and patient needs. |
| Communication Skills | Because smooth communication with patients and the medical team is essential. |
| Planning & Organization | Because systematic planning is required for discharge coordination and support plan creation. |
| Problem Solving | Because it is necessary to devise the optimal support measures for individual social issues. |
| Stress Tolerance | Because the ability to withstand stress from listening to patients' and families' concerns is required. |
| Collaboration & Teamwork | Because collaboration with multiple professions such as doctors and nurses is important. |
Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Numerical & Quantitative Analysis | Because consultation support is the primary task rather than numerical analysis. |
| Physical Stamina & Endurance | Because the work is mainly desk-based, such as interviews and document preparation. |
Related Qualifications
- Certified Social Worker
- Psychiatric Social Worker
Aliases
- MSW
- Medical Welfare Counselor
- Ward Social Worker
Related Jobs
- Case Worker
- Certified Social Worker
- Psychiatric Social Worker
- Welfare Counselor