Illinois’s health care system relies on its social workers to improve patient outcomes, lower medical costs, and cultivate healthy communities.
State legislation signed in 2021 commits Illinois to fund and develop health resources through information obtained by the Healthy Illinois Survey.
Since the growing burden on health care infrastructure due to COVID-19, healthcare social workers are in demand at local hospitals across Illinois.
Because chronic disease as the leading cause of death in Illinois continues to rise, Illinois is in dire need of more healthcare social workers to help aid the prevention and treatment of serious illness of its citizens.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), nine common health problems—heart disease, cancer, COVID-19, cardiovascular diseases (stroke), chronic pulmonary diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease—account for the majority of the top 10 leading causes of death in the state. The IDPH further notes that cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and pulmonary conditions—affect more than 6.7 million Illinoisans, more than half its population.
Here, we explore the responsibilities, job outlook, salary range, and educational requirements for health care social workers across Illinois.
What Do Health Care Social Workers Do?
Health care social workers are an early line of defense in chronic disease prevention and treatment. While helpful for evaluation in medical environments, they often provide the humanity and empathy necessary for discharge care and complicated crises.
- Advocacy. Healthcare social workers have an important role in advocating for patients and their families to make sure they have the best care plan possible.
- Collaboration of care. Health care social workers in Illinois collaborate with medical teams in the best interest of patients, providing a complete care plan.
- Post-discharge needs. Health care social workers assist in special needs that may arise for patients after a hospital stay, helping them to thrive within their communities.
- Provide crisis intervention and prevention. Healthcare social workers can assist with lifestyle choices that can help patients live the healthiest lives they can.
- Offer counseling. LCSWs guide patients and their families through crises, accommodating their psychosocial needs and conducting comprehensive assessments.
- Facilitate connections. Health care social workers make connections of care within the medical community, identifying and providing necessary referrals to help patients find specialized care.
- Assess home-life accommodations and necessary modifications. Healthcare social workers assist in rehabilitation center placement and guidance about at-home accessibility modifications.
- Specialized expertise. Offer evaluation and support for survivors of sexual assault, domestic abuse, elder abuse, institutional abuse, child abuse and neglect.
- Trusted advice. Health care social workers lend an empathetic ear in trying times, providing a sounding board for both patients and their loved ones making difficult healthcare, lifecare, and hospice decisions.
In addition to the daily assistance that health care social workers provide patients and their families, there are also necessary traits health care social workers tend to demonstrate in order to offer the most effective care.
These characteristics include:
- Empathy
- Patience
- Active listening skills
- Ethical integrity
- Adaptability
- Flexibility
- Altruism
- Nurturing-mindset
- Resilience
- Time-management
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Cultural humility and sensitivity
Health Care Social Worker Salaries in the State of Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in May 2022, the mean annual wage for health care social workers in Illinois was $56,640. The top 90 percent of workers earned $81,130 per year.
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area had the nation’s fourth highest employment rate for health care social workers, with a mean annual wage of $62,640.
The annual income of health care social workers in Illinois can vary significantly based on various factors. Knowing these factors will help you make informed career decisions.
- Education – Health care social workers who graduate with a master’s in social work (MSW) tend to earn more than those with a bachelor’s degree.
- Specialization – Social workers who specialize in a specific area, such as child welfare, immigration, or substance abuse, may earn higher salaries due to their expertise.
- Experience – As with most professions, health care social workers with more years of on-the-job experience typically gain higher salaries.
- Geographic Location – Illinois has varied cost of living and health care demands that depend on the region. Major cities like Chicago may foster more opportunities for health care social work than suburban or rural areas.
- Type of Employer – Various employment avenues may determine the extent of health care social work earnings, including private practice, outpatient care centers, government facilities, and hospitals.
- Localized Demand – Metropolitan areas may offer more hospital and government facility job openings. Health emergencies like the recent Covid-19 pandemic may put a strain on some areas of occupation versus others. Local hospitals may have more opportunities than private practices.
- Rank or Job Station – Management and administrative positions may offer higher earning rewards.
Illinois’ Requirements for Becoming a Health Care Social Worker
To become a health care social worker in Illinois, a Bachelor degree in social work (BSW) or a Master degree in social work (MSW) must be obtained from an accredited institution, combined with a license in clinical social work, and relevant specialized field experience.
Licensure
In Illinois, there are two levels of licensure: a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The National Association of Social Workers (NASC), Illinois chapter, can offers detailed information about the licensure process and application.
Licensure is based on education and field experience hours. LSWs and LCSWs have different requirements.
What is the difference between an LSW and LCSW?
There are different requirements to become an LSW versus LCSW. Both can lead to a fulfilling social work career.
LSWs can typically work in most places that LCSWs can but not necessarily in private practice. LSW licensure typically reduces the scope of practice a social worker can cover versus LCSW licensure. LSWs may need more supervision and usually cannot diagnose or treat mental disorders.
Education
The required education to begin a career in health care social work, you typically need a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. This type of program often takes four years to complete, though it could take longer depending on your schedule. A BSW will offer the foundational knowledge of social work principles and practices before field experience and licensure.
Not all social workers start with the BSW. Some may choose a related Bachelor degree, like psychology or childhood development, and continue with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. To become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is required.
Most health-related fields, especially in specialized areas, require a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. MSW programs typically take two years to complete, though again, this may take longer depending on your schedule. Several MSW programs are available to meet on-campus or online at highly reputable colleges and universities throughout Illinois. You can find MSW programs that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) on its directory of accredited programs.
Supervised Experience & Field Education
To further the process of becoming a healthcare worker in Illinois, applicants holding an MSW must complete 3,000 hours of supervised postgraduate experience, while doctorate applicants are required to complete 2,000 hours.
According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASC), Illinois chapter, LSWs must either:
- complete a graduate degree from a CSWE-approved graduate program of social work, which includes field education as part of the degree program, or
- complete a degree from a CSWE-approved bachelor program of social and 3 years of supervised professional experience.
LCSWs must earn a degree from a CSWE-approved graduate or doctoral program in social work and complete fieldwork. Master of Social Work candidates need to complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical professional experience, while doctoral candidates need to complete 2,000 hours of supervised clinical professional experience.
Examination
As of January 1, 2022, the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination is no longer required for LSW licensure in Illinois.
Usually, LSCWs take the ASWB examination, though there may be an alternative available. NASC’s Illinois chapter provides more information.
Continuing Education
After obtaining your license, you must fulfill continuing education requirements to maintain and renew your license.
Specialization and Certification
You may find that further certification in specialties like gerontology may increase your income as a health care social worker.
Be sure to check with Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) about certification requirements.
Advancing Your Career as a Health Care Social Worker in Illinois
Health care workers encounter many varied situations on the job. Once you’ve been practicing in the field for a while, you may find your interests evolve. You may decide to specialize further, offering more opportunities to serve your patients and the local community.
Paths to advancing your career and maximizing your salary include:
Invest in Yourself. Pursuing higher education, like a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), can open up opportunities for a career that meets your interests in compassionate care. Continuing education after licensure ensures you’re up to date on chronic diseases and changing health policies while meeting your community’s needs.
Network. Building connections, keeping in touch with colleagues, and attending community events allow you to be at the right place and right time when career opportunities open. This may result in better collaboration opportunities during your day to day social work and earn you higher-paid positions.
Seek Specialization. Specializing in another area of social work, like geriatrics or mental health, increases your earning potential because it makes you an expert in your field. Further certification may help you negotiate a higher salary.
Get to Know Your Patients. Allowing yourself to get to know your patients offers you insight into what they’re going through and how you can become the best social worker you can be. Ask how you can be of service and make sure to listen to what patients tell you. This improves your chances of excelling at your job.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for child, family, and school social workers, healthcare social workers, mental health and substance abuse social workers, and social workers (all other) are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2024.
Discover more about other social work specializations in Illinois.