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Geriatric Social Worker Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Overview UnityPoint Clinic Social Worker MSW PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly ... geriatric social work practice. • Promotes an environment of teamwork. • Responds to ...

UnityPoint Clinic Social Worker MSW PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) Monday ... geriatric social work practice. • Promotes an environment of teamwork. • Responds to ...

... geriatric patients and their families, enabling patients to properly utilize medical care and ... Oversees activities and reviews documentation of Bachelor prepared social worker. * Participates ...

... and geriatric. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Assessment/Evaluation Obtains social history information and identifies patient needs by interviewing the patient/family, reviewing the medical record ...

... and geriatric. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Assessment/Evaluation Obtains social history information and identifies patient needs by interviewing the patient/family, reviewing the medical record ...

... and geriatric. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Assessment/Evaluation Obtains social history information and identifies patient needs by interviewing the patient/family, reviewing the medical record ...

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Showing results 1-20

Geriatric Social Worker information

See Iowa salary details

$31K

$63.2K

$105.7K

How much do geriatric social worker jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for geriatric social worker in Iowa is $63,196.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,100.00 and $67,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Geriatric Social Worker?

A geriatric social worker looks after the needs of elderly clients. Their duties may include helping clients budget, find employment, apply for medical benefits, deal with mental health issues like depression, and find social activities. Part of geriatric social work is ensuring there are no signs of abuse in the client’s living situation, whether that is their home, a hospital, or a nursing facility.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Geriatric Social Worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Geriatric Social Worker, you need a degree in social work (often an MSW), state licensure, and specialized knowledge in aging and elder care. Familiarity with case management software, healthcare systems, and elder rights legislation is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competence, and patience help build trust and effectively support elderly clients and their families. These skills ensure holistic, compassionate care and effective advocacy for the well-being and dignity of older adults.

What are some common challenges faced by geriatric social workers, and how can they be addressed in the workplace?

Geriatric social workers often encounter challenges such as navigating complex family dynamics, managing cases with multiple health and social needs, and addressing issues of elder abuse or neglect. Building strong communication skills and establishing trust with both clients and their families can help mitigate these difficulties. Additionally, collaborating closely with interdisciplinary teams—including nurses, physicians, and community resources—ensures comprehensive care for older adults. Ongoing professional development and supervision are also vital for coping with emotional stress and maintaining best practices in this rewarding but demanding field.

What are geriatric social workers?

Geriatric social workers are professionals who specialize in supporting the elderly and their families with the challenges of aging. They assess clients’ needs, help navigate healthcare and social services, and provide counseling for issues such as grief, dementia, and family dynamics. Their goal is to improve the quality of life for older adults by connecting them to resources, advocating for their needs, and offering emotional support. They often work in hospitals, nursing homes, community agencies, or private practice.

What is the difference between Geriatric Social Worker vs Medical Social Worker?

AspectGeriatric Social WorkerMedical Social Worker
CredentialsBSW or MSW, state licensureBSW or MSW, state licensure
Work EnvironmentSenior care facilities, nursing homes, home healthHospitals, clinics, healthcare settings
Employer & IndustrySenior services, long-term careHospitals, medical centers

Geriatric Social Workers focus on older adults' emotional, social, and practical needs, often in senior care settings. Medical Social Workers primarily assist patients in hospitals and clinics with healthcare-related social issues. While both roles require similar credentials and work in healthcare environments, their client focus and daily tasks differ, making each role unique in supporting patient well-being.

What are the most commonly searched types of Geriatric Social Worker jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Geriatric Social Worker jobs in Iowa are:
What job categories do people searching Geriatric Social Worker jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Geriatric Social Worker jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Geriatric Social Worker jobs in IA? For Geriatric Social Worker jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Social Worker MSW

Social Worker MSW

UnityPoint Health

Hiawatha, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


UnityPoint Health rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 350 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

326th of 864 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Overview
UnityPoint Clinic
Social Worker MSW
PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM
Hiawatha, IA
Full Time + Benefits
$5,000 Sign On Bonus, if external
Why UnityPoint Health?
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We're proud to be recognized as a Top Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options focused on your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you're in. Here are just a few:
• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
• Dental, health and vision insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.
With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Join our team of experts and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Responsibilities
Under supervision by the PACE Program Manager, provides direct social work services to participants in PACE including; participant/family counseling, networking of available resources, and communicating with other PACE Interdisciplinary Team members as well as community and contracted health care providers. Serves as an advocate for participants and families. Adheres to Standards of care and the mission and philosophy of PACE in all aspects of job performance.
• Maintains a working knowledge of applicable PACE Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, the Compliance Accountability Program, Code of Ethics, as well as other policies and procedures in order to assure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical, and professional behavior.
• Conducts comprehensive, psychosocial assessments on prospective and current program participants per regulatory guidelines and PACE policies.
• Completes routine home or PACE center visits with participants and as needed.
• Consults with, and maintains a cooperative, professional relationship with family, contracted health care providers and/or support systems as needed.
• Functions as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team and maintains regular attendance at, and participation in, IDT Team meetings; collaborates on care planning and service delivery requests.
• Reviews social service interventions on the participant's plan of care and revises as appropriate.
• Assists families with problem solving around care giving issues and serves as the facilitator of family meetings when scheduled.
• Provides crisis intervention, advocacy, and supportive counseling to participants and families for assigned caseload and other participants when needed.
• Coordinates admissions to assisted living and nursing facilities and discharge planning for participants returning home from hospitals or nursing facility in conjunction with the IDT Team as needed.
• Assists participants with housing, money management/financial issues as needed.
• Maintains current, well-organized records in accordance with social work and PACE documentation policies.
• Develops knowledge of community networks and resources for elderly of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and forms collaborative relationships with same. Provides information to participants to assist in establishing and maintaining community links.
• Advocates on behalf of participants for benefits and services through government and community agencies.
• Assists participants in completing advance directives, advance planning, and guardianship paperwork.
• Provides bereavement follow up as needed
• Provides coverage for other social workers when needed.
• Participates in agency committees when assigned.
• Adheres to PACE Participant Rights Policy and maintains professional contact with participants, families, and other health care providers at all times.
• Adheres to privacy and confidentiality policies regarding sensitive participant, employee and agency information.
• Attends conferences and seminars to maintain State Social Work licensure, and to stay informed of developing trends in geriatric social work practice.
• Promotes an environment of teamwork.
• Responds to participant/family needs in a respectful and non-judgemental manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education
Master's degree in Social Work obtained from an accredited program.
License(s)/Certification(s)
Current State of Iowa Social Work license
Valid driver's license
Valid Auto insurance
Maintain current BLS status
Maintain current Mandatory Adult Abuse Reporter status
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Effective oral and written communication skills to interact effectively with PACE participants, their families, and other health care professionals.
Ability to effectively communicate and work within the Interdisciplinary Team setting.
Strong organizational skills.
Able to manage changing priorities per needs of the program
Use of Microsoft office products.

What UnityPoint Health employees say

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About UnityPoint Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At UnityPoint Health, we provide care in nine regions throughout Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. As the nation's fourth largest nondenominational health system in America, UnityPoint Health keeps people at the center of all we do. We are looking for dynamic and talented individuals to join our team. You'll find opportunities for every sized dream.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

West Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1995