What does a Licensed Clinical Social Worker do?

Licensed Clinical Social Workers work with individuals and families to help them deal with common life challenges. They support them through mental, emotional and behavioral issues, and they diagnose and treat certain problems related to those areas, with therapy often being a treatment option. 

Often part of a larger care team, Licensed Clinical Social Workers help develop plans to navigate problems or adjust to changes in life such as divorce or medical conditions. They often maintain ongoing relationships with their clients, monitoring their progress and adjusting clients’ treatment plans as necessary. It’s common for Licensed Clinical Social Workers to work in private practices, hospitals, health centers, behavioral clinics, schools or government agencies. 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker skills and qualifications

An LCSW job description typically outlines a variety of skills and qualifications a successful candidate needs for the role, including:

• Empathy and emotional intelligence

• Strong communication skills

• Knowledge of various therapy options and treatments

• Familiarity with local resources that could help individuals and families

• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills

• Organizational and case management skills

• Familiarity with electronic medical records

• Ability to collaborate and work well as part of a team

Licensed Clinical Social Worker experience requirements

Licensed Clinical Social Workers gain experience through supervised practice during or after their degree program. Some candidates might start as non-clinical Social Workers to gain experience in the field before earning LCSW degree and licensure. You might specify a minimum amount of experience in your Licensed Clinical Social Worker job description. 

You can also ask for experience working in specific situations or with certain types of patients or therapies, based on the services you provide. If you use specific software or apps to record patient data, your LCSW job description might indicate a preference for candidates who are knowledgeable in those areas. 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker education and training requirements

Social Workers typically start with a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, such as psychology, sociology or social science that qualifies candidates for non-clinical social work duties. To become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, the candidate usually needs a master’s degree in social work, which takes an average of two years to complete and often includes some type of practicum or internship. 

Becoming a Clinical Social Worker typically requires licensure in all states. Each state determines its licensing requirements, including passing an exam. States might require a minimum number of hours of supervised experience before a candidate can take the exam. By requiring licensure in your Licensed Social Worker job description, you ensure candidates have the appropriate credentials and training.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker is $75,069 per year. The specific salary you include in your LCSW job description might depend on the location and duties of the job. Candidates may qualify for various salary offers based on their experience and additional training.

Job description samples for similar positions

Is this Licensed Social Worker job description not quite what you need? The following similar job descriptions might be closer to what you need for your organization:

• Social Worker

• School Social Worker

• Therapist

• Counselor

Licensed Clinical Social Worker job description FAQs

What’s the difference between a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Psychologist?

Both roles, including the LCSW and the psychologist, work in the mental health field and offer psychotherapy. Psychologists have doctorate degrees and often take a more scientific approach while LCSWs take a more holistic approach. In some states, psychologists can prescribe medications.

What qualities make a good Licensed Clinical Social Worker?

To be effective, Licensed Clinical Social Workers need empathy and emotional intelligence to understand and help their clients. Attention to detail and understanding what the client is saying helps them identify proper treatment options. An LCSW needs to be able to maintain professional boundaries and manage their mental health to deal with the stress of the job. 

How can you make your Licensed Clinical Social Worker job description stand out?

Describe the work environment, type of clients, and tools and resources available to the selected candidate. Include an overview of the company culture and details that make your organization unique. Keep the job description short and easy to read using bulleted lists and relevant information.

Do Licensed Clinical Social Workers have different responsibilities in different industries?

While general LCSW duties are similar in all positions, the types of clients and services provided vary based on where they work. In a hospital setting, they might connect discharged patients with resources or help them work through a diagnosis. In a school, they might support students with behavioral or emotional needs to help them succeed.