Social workers in primary health care support patients and families with mental health and well-being, ensure they have the resources they need to heal, and help them navigate the health care system. They may work in hospitals, community health centres, health networks and other organizations.
As key members of interdisciplinary health care teams, social workers represent the patient’s point of view, develop treatment and discharge plans, and help patients and families understand goals of care.
When working with patients and families, social workers consider the psychological, social, physical, spiritual and financial elements that influence physical and mental health. They develop unique treatment and discharge plans based on patient strengths, needs and goals.
Social workers build a safe and inclusive environment that recognizes each patient’s rich history, and they honour diversity, as well as different values and ways of knowing.
In primary health care, social workers may work directly with patients and families. Others may design and develop health promotion and preventative care education, programs and services.
Role and responsibilities
Depending on the role and the organization, social workers in primary health care may:
- Hold individual counselling and psychotherapy sessions for individuals and families
- Develop and lead peer support groups to facilitate recovery
- Assess the patient’s physical and psychological needs
- Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to develop individualized treatment and discharge plans
- Liaise with community agencies and service providers
- Refer patients and families to community resources and services
- Develop and deliver education to individuals, families and communities
- Perform community health needs assessments and participate in community health planning
- Plan, develop and evaluate health programs
- Advocate on behalf of patients, families, groups and communities, as needed
- Provide education, presentations, program development and consultations to community organizations
- Participate in academic activities, like teaching and supervising students
- Contribute to research initiatives and collect data, as required
Qualifications
Most social workers working in primary health care must have:
- Registration in good standing with the relevant provincial or territorial regulatory body
- Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in social work from an accredited university
It is helpful for social workers working in primary health care to have:
- Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team
- Certification in Emergency First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Heartsaver (CPR) and/or Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Read CASW's landmark report on Primary Care
