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How a healthcare social worker can use AI, task by task

O*NET 21-1022.00: Healthcare Social WorkersMedian pay $67,880/year (BLS, May 2025)17 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Clinical Social Worker, Hospice Social Worker, LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker), Medical Social Worker, Nephrology Social Worker, Oncology Social Worker, Psychosocial Coordinator, Renal Social Worker, Social Work Case Manager, Social Worker.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 0%AI-assist 47%Stays human 53%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 0 AI-ready, 9 AI-assist and 8 human-led tasks out of 17. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.Be there for people · Several times a day
  2. Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.Be there for people · Daily
  3. Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.Hands-on care · Several times a day

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 0

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

None of this job's tasks are here.

AI can help you prep these 9

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.

Daily

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.

Context: We use Patient electronic medical record EMR software and Social Solutions ETO; the work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Needs: [housing, food, debt, other]
Resources: [list]

Write clear referral information and next steps. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Community resource referrals

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you refer patient, client and family (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Needs] and [Resources] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Call to confirm services are still running. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Refer clients to community or social service programs.. Also involves: Refer individuals to educational or work programs..

Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.

Daily

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.

Context: We use Microsoft Teams and Calendar software; the work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Client type: [no names, presenting issues]
Goals: [what the client wants]

Draft a treatment plan structure: goals, objectives, interventions, timelines, review points. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Treatment plan draft

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you utilize consultation data and social work experience (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Client type] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop treatment plans for patients or clients..

Identify environmental impediments to client or patient progress through interviews and review of patient records.

Daily

AI helps you prepare questions; the listening is yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare better questions and to organize your notes afterward. Listening to the person in front of you is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to identify environmental impediments to client or patient progress through interviews and review of patient records.

Context: We use Patient electronic medical record EMR software; the work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Client type: [counseling, employment, education]
Goal of the session: [intake, review, follow-up]

Write open questions, follow-ups, and a progress notes template. Order the questions sensibly, add follow-ups for vague answers, and give me a note-taking template.

10-minute exercise: Client progress interview

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you identify environmental impediments (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Client type] and [Goal of the session] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Use the notes template and adapt it after.

Don't record people or paste their answers into AI without consent and your employer's approval.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Interview clients to gather information about their backgrounds, needs, or progress.. Also involves: Collect information about clients.; Evaluate potential problems in home or work environments of clients..

Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in clients' status.

Daily

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to modify treatment plans to comply with changes in clients' status.

Context: We use Microsoft Teams and Calendar software; the work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Change in status: [describe, no names]
Current plan: [summary]

Suggest modifications and documentation. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Adjust a treatment plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you modify treatment plans to comply with changes in clients' (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Change in status] and [Current plan] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Modify treatment plans to accommodate client needs..

Plan discharge from care facility to home or other care facility.

Daily

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to plan discharge from care facility to home or other care facility.

Context: We use Microsoft Teams and Calendar software; the work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Client type: [no names, presenting issues]
Goals: [what the client wants]

Draft a treatment plan structure: goals, objectives, interventions, timelines, review points. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Treatment plan draft

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you plan discharge (today).
Step 2Fill in [Client type] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop treatment plans for patients or clients..

Oversee Medicaid- and Medicare-related paperwork and recordkeeping in hospitals.

Weekly

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to oversee Medicaid- and Medicare-related paperwork and recordkeeping in hospitals.

Context: We use MEDITECH software and Patient electronic medical record EMR software.
Program: [student services, other]
Required records: [list]

Draft templates and reports. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Program documentation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you oversee Medicaid- and Medicare-related paperwork (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Program] and [Required records] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 3.5/5 · O*NET work activity: Complete documentation required by programs or regulations..

Plan and conduct programs to combat social problems, prevent substance abuse, or improve community health and counseling services.

Monthly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to plan and conduct programs to combat social problems, prevent substance abuse, or improve community health and counseling services.

Context: We use Microsoft Teams and Calendar software; the work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Issue: [substance use, nutrition, prevention]
Community: [describe]

Draft program goals, activities, partners and evaluation. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Community health program

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you plan and conduct programs to combat social problems.
Step 2Fill in [Issue] and [Community] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Plan programs to address community health issues..

Investigate child abuse or neglect cases and take authorized protective action when necessary.

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to investigate child abuse or neglect cases and take authorized protective action when necessary.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
The matter: [claim, complaint or dispute, no names]
What I have so far: [documents, statements, facts]

Organize what I have into a timeline, list facts established vs disputed, identify gaps in evidence, and suggest next investigative steps. Point out legal issues I should confirm.

10-minute exercise: Organize an investigation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you investigate child abuse or neglect cases. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [The matter] and [What I have so far].
Step 3Use the gap list to pick your next step, and confirm every legal point with a real source.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 4.5/5 · O*NET work activity: Investigate legal issues..

Conduct social research to advance knowledge in the social work field.

A few times a year

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to conduct social research to advance knowledge in the social work field.

Context: We use Social Solutions ETO and Social Work Software ClientTouch; the work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Issue: [describe]
Why I need it: [policy, program, decision]

Give me key facts, competing views, data sources to verify, and research questions worth pursuing. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Social issue brief

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct social research to advance knowledge in the social.
Step 2Fill in [Issue] and [Why I need it] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the key facts in an official data source.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Conduct research on social issues..

These stay human 8

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: every day · Contact with others: constant contact with others · Dealing with the public: very important · Physical closeness to others: moderately close (at arm's length)

Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.

Several times a day

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Case: [general]
Professionals involved: [describe]

Prepare what to share, questions to ask, and how to reach a joint plan. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Collaborative assessment prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Case] and [Professionals involved] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments..

Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.

Daily

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Situation type: [student crisis, client emergency; no names]
Resources: [crisis line, team, protocol]

Help me prepare calm opening words, safety questions, de-escalation phrases and when to call for help. Then play the person in crisis.

10-minute exercise: Crisis support prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you advocate for clients or patients (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Situation type] and [Resources] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Follow your crisis protocol and involve the right team every time.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Intervene in crisis situations to assist clients..

Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.

Several times a day

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Therapy type: [describe]
Goals: [what improvement looks like]

Suggest measurable progress indicators, tools to track them, and session review questions. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Treatment progress measures

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you monitor, evaluate, and record client progress. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Therapy type] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Use one indicator with your next client.

📊 People already use AI around this task (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026). The task itself stays human-led.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.. Also involves: Maintain client records..

Educate clients about end-of-life symptoms and options to assist them in making informed decisions.

Daily

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to educate clients about end-of-life symptoms and options to assist them in making informed decisions.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Situation: [progress, plan changes; no names]
Goals: [what you want to agree]

Prepare openings, collaborative questions and how to handle disagreement. Then play the client. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Progress conversation with a client

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you educate clients about end-of-life symptoms and options (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Situation] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the session, note what helped the client engage.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Confer with clients to discuss treatment plans or progress.. Also involves: Counsel clients or patients regarding personal issues..

Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.

Daily

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Session: [individual, group, family]
Focus: [motivation, relapse prevention]

Prepare motivational-interviewing questions and reflections. Then play the client. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Substance use counseling prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you counsel clients and patients (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Session] and [Focus] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues..

Organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Situation: [describe, no names]
Goal: [understanding, support]

Prepare session questions and psychoeducation points. Then play a family member. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Family counseling prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you organize support groups (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Situation] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Counsel family members of clients or patients..

Supervise and direct other workers providing services to clients or patients.

Daily

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to supervise and direct other workers providing services to clients or patients.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Supervisees: [interns, counselors]
Case themes: [describe, no client details]

Plan a supervision session: reflective questions, feedback and goals. Give me the key message in 2 sentences, how people might react, and how to respond to each.

10-minute exercise: Clinical supervision

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you supervise and direct other workers providing services to clients (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Supervisees] and [Case themes] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Supervise workers providing client or patient services..

Develop or advise on social policy and assist in community development.

Monthly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to develop or advise on social policy and assist in community development.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Topic: [student support, policy]
Who: [teachers, staff]

Help me prepare: the 3 points that matter most for them, plain-language wording, the questions they're likely to ask, and what I should not advise on without more information. Then play them so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Advice on social or educational issues

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop or advise on social policy.
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 3.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Advise others on social or educational issues..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Active Listeningimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
  • Speakingimportance 4.1/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
  • Critical Thinkingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
  • Writingimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 1 new or updated task here: 0 AI-ready, 0 AI-assist, 1 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Conduct psychological assessment of clients.

New in O*NET

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as a healthcare social worker. Part of my job is to conduct psychological assessment of clients.

Context: We use Patient electronic medical record EMR software and MEDITECH software; the work draws on therapy and counseling, psychology and sociology and anthropology.
Without any client details, help me with this: [psychological assessment of clients]

(1) Write a plain-language explanation of it for a nervous client, (2) make a step-by-step checklist I can compare with my training and protocols, and (3) list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Prep: psychological assessment of clients

Step 1Pick the next time you'll conduct psychological assessment of clients. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Put just the procedure in the brackets (no client details) and compare the checklist with your protocol line by line.
Step 3Use the plain-language explanation with the next client, and keep the escalation signs where you can see them.

New O*NET task (08/2021). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Getting into this job

Master's degree is most common (70% of workers)

  • Bachelor's 15%
  • Graduate degree 85%
  • On-the-job training: 1–3 months
  • Related experience: 1–2 years
  • Professional certification: important (3.5/5)

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

MEDITECH softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft TeamsMicrosoft WordZoom