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Ambulatory Social Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Social Worker * Discipline: Social Work * Duration: Ongoing * Employment Type: Staff Work Schedule ... We are seeking an Ambulatory Social Work Specialist to: * Serve as centralized triage for ...

Social Worker * Discipline: Social Work * Duration: Ongoing * Employment Type: Staff 100% FTE, Day ... We are seeking an Ambulatory Social Work Specialist to: * Serve as centralized triage for ...

A Social Worker - Ambulatory II is an integral member of the healthcare team, providing comprehensive support and services to patients and their families. They play a vital role in promoting mental ...

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Ambulatory Social Worker information

See salary details

$36.5K

$78.9K

$127.5K

How much do ambulatory social worker jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for ambulatory social worker in the United States is $78,890.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $93,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an ambulatory social worker?

Ambulatory social workers are professionals who provide support and resources to patients in outpatient care settings, such as clinics or doctor's offices, rather than hospitals. They help patients manage social, emotional, and environmental challenges related to their health conditions. Their work often includes connecting patients with community resources, assisting with care coordination, and providing counseling or crisis intervention to promote overall well-being and recovery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an ambulatory social worker?

To thrive as an Ambulatory Social Worker, you need a solid background in social work, case management, and behavioral health, typically supported by an MSW degree and relevant licensure (such as LCSW or LMSW). Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), care coordination platforms, and documentation standards is important. Exceptional interpersonal skills, cultural competence, and problem-solving abilities help you effectively support diverse patients across outpatient settings. These skills are crucial for ensuring high-quality care coordination, advocacy, and positive patient outcomes in ambulatory healthcare environments.

What are some common challenges faced by ambulatory social workers when supporting patients in outpatient settings?

Ambulatory Social Workers often encounter challenges such as managing high caseloads, addressing complex psychosocial needs in a fast-paced environment, and coordinating care across multiple providers. Since outpatient visits are typically brief, building rapport and conducting thorough assessments within limited timeframes can be demanding. Additionally, ensuring patients have access to community resources and following up on referrals requires strong organizational and communication skills.

What is the difference between Ambulatory Social Worker vs Hospital Social Worker?

AspectAmbulatory Social WorkerHospital Social Worker
Work EnvironmentOutpatient clinics, community health settingsHospital wards, emergency departments
CertificationsLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) often preferredLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) often preferred
Employer & IndustryHealthcare providers, outpatient facilitiesHospitals, medical centers
Primary FocusPatient education, care coordination, outpatient supportDischarge planning, crisis intervention, inpatient support

Ambulatory Social Workers primarily operate in outpatient and community settings, focusing on ongoing patient support and care coordination. In contrast, Hospital Social Workers work within hospital environments, handling inpatient cases, discharge planning, and crisis situations. Both roles require similar credentials and serve different but complementary functions within healthcare.

More about Ambulatory Social Worker jobs
Infographic showing various Ambulatory Social Worker job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,890 per year, or $37.9 per hour.

Social Work - Social Worker

UW Health

Middleton, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


UW Health rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 226 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

106th of 895 rated healthcare providers


Job description

UW Health is seeking a Social Work Social Worker for a job in Middleton, Wisconsin.

Job Description & Requirements
  • Specialty: Social Worker
  • Discipline: Social Work
  • Duration: Ongoing
  • Employment Type: Staff

Work Schedule: 

Full-time, 100% FTE, day shift. Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:30am – 5:00pm, no weekends required. Hours may vary based on the operational needs of the department. 

Be part of something remarkable

Grow your career at UW Health!

We are seeking an Ambulatory Social Work Specialist to:

  • Serve as centralized triage for ambulatory clinic social service case and medical appointment transportation needs.
  • Delegate and distribute cases to the appropriate UW Health staff personnel, complete documentation and reports, and manage less complex cases including: coordination of care and facilitation community-based referrals.
  • Apply Trauma Informed principles with all interactions.
  • Complete patient needs assessments and analyze chart documentation in order to optimize interventions that address social determinants of health barriers that impact adherence to care and the patient's wellbeing. 

At UW Health, you will have:

  • An excellent benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, two-week paid parental leave and adoption assistance. 

  • Options for a variety of schedules and shifts that offer flexibility and allow for work-life balance.
  • Access to great resources through the UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department that supports your emotional, financial, and physical well-being.

  • Tuition benefits eligibility - UW Health invests in your professional growth by helping pay for coursework associated with career advancement.

  • The opportunity to earn a referral bonus for referring friends, former colleagues or others to apply for open, posted positions.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or other behavioral science related degree Required

Work Experience

  • 1 year related experience Required
  • Experience working with a diverse population base, with complex social/emotional needs Required
  • Previous medical setting experience Preferred

Our Commitment to Social Impact and Belonging

UW Health is committed to fostering a workplace that creates belonging for everyone and is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Our respect for people shines through patient care interactions and our daily work practices as we work to embrace the knowledge, unique perspectives and qualities each employee and faculty member brings to work each day. It is the policy of UW Health to provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.


UW Health Administrative Facilities - UW Health has administrative locations throughout Madison and beyond where thousands of employees provide vital support to our clinical areas. These locations are home to departments such as Access Services, Compliance, Human Resources, Information Services, Patient Medical Records, Payroll and many others. 

View Full Job Description

UW Medical Foundation benefits

UW Health Job ID #49991. Posted job title: Ambulatory Social Work Specialist - Primary Care

About UW Health

UW Health is an integrated academic health system that is home to the No. 1 hospital in Wisconsin (for the 13th year in a row) as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. We’re made up of six main hospitals, one JOA partner hospital in Madison and two hospitals located within the main hospital in Illinois. We also have more than 90 clinics across Wisconsin and northern Illinois.  


UW Health cares for more than 800,000 patients each year and employs more than 24,000 people — one of the region’s largest employers. Many of our 1,800 physicians are faculty members at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, one of the nation’s highly regarded medical schools.  

Benefits
  • Holiday Pay
  • Vision benefits
  • Continuing Education
  • Sick pay
  • Dental benefits
  • Life insurance
  • Discount program
  • Pet insurance
  • Wellness and fitness programs
  • Medical benefits

What UW Health employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About UW Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

UW Health Clinics - our physicians and staff are dedicated to providing an exceptional patient and family experience by delivering the highest quality of care in a compassionate environment. With more than 80 primary and specialty care clinics located throughout Dane County and the surrounding areas, we are proud to have the opportunity to impact the communities we serve.

Industry

Health care and social assistance and hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Madison, WI, US