1

Social Work Trainee Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

HB - NHC Trainee

Englewood, CO · On-site

$14.80 - $19/hr

Self-motivated with a positive attitude and strong work ethic. Physical & Office/Site Presence ... Join the fun and follow us on social media to see what's happening at our company, and don't forget ...

Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Denver, CO · On-site

$113K - $127K/yr

Participates in supervision of other trainees, including medical students, residents, fellows, and social work and psychology trainees. * Requires regular regional travel, involving driving within a ...

Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Denver, CO · On-site

$113K - $127K/yr

Participates in supervision of other trainees, including medical students, residents, fellows, and social work and psychology trainees. * Requires regular regional travel, involving driving within a ...

Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Denver, CO · On-site

$113K - $127K/yr

Participates in supervision of other trainees, including medical students, residents, fellows, and social work and psychology trainees. * Requires regular regional travel, involving driving within a ...

Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Denver, CO · On-site

$113K - $127K/yr

Participates in supervision of other trainees, including medical students, residents, fellows, and social work and psychology trainees. * Requires regular regional travel, involving driving within a ...

Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Denver, CO · On-site

$113K - $127K/yr

Participates in supervision of other trainees, including medical students, residents, fellows, and social work and psychology trainees. * Requires regular regional travel, involving driving within a ...

Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Denver, CO · On-site

$113K - $127K/yr

Participates in supervision of other trainees, including medical students, residents, fellows, and social work and psychology trainees. * Requires regular regional travel, involving driving within a ...

SUDP Trainee-1

Lakewood, CO · On-site

$20.25 - $27.25/hr

... Trainee is a person who is in training to become a Substance Use Disorder Professional. During ... Advocating for social justice * Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team

next page

Showing results 1-20

Social Work Trainee information

See Colorado salary details

$21.6K

$46.4K

$76.2K

How much do social work trainee jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for social work trainee in Colorado is $46,435.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28,900.00 and $59,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a social work trainee?

Social Work Trainees are individuals who are undergoing practical training and supervision to become professional social workers. They typically work in various settings such as schools, hospitals, or community agencies, assisting clients with a range of social, emotional, and practical issues. Trainees apply theoretical knowledge from their academic studies while gaining hands-on experience, often under the guidance of licensed social workers. Their responsibilities may include conducting assessments, helping clients access resources, and developing intervention plans as part of their learning process.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a social work trainee?

To thrive as a Social Work Trainee, you need foundational knowledge of social work principles, a relevant degree or coursework, and a commitment to ethical practice. Familiarity with case management systems, documentation protocols, and basic counseling tools is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and emotional resilience help trainees build trust and effectively support clients facing diverse challenges. These competencies ensure that trainees can deliver empathetic, effective services while learning and adapting within supervised professional environments.

What support and supervision does a social work trainee receive?

As a Social Work Trainee, you can typically expect to receive structured supervision from experienced social workers, often through regular one-on-one meetings and team debriefings. Many organizations also offer mentorship programs, training workshops, and opportunities for shadowing experienced professionals. This supportive environment is designed to help trainees develop key skills, reflect on challenging cases, and gradually take on more responsibility as they gain confidence. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams is common, ensuring you learn from a variety of perspectives while building your professional network.

What is the difference between Social Work Trainee vs Social Worker?

AspectSocial Work TraineeSocial Worker
CredentialsOften pursuing or have completed relevant education, may lack full licensureLicensed or certified professional with full credentials
Work EnvironmentSupervised training settings, internships, entry-level rolesIndependent practice, case management, community services
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, training programs, social service agenciesHospitals, government agencies, non-profits

In summary, a Social Work Trainee is typically in training or early in their career, gaining experience under supervision, whereas a Social Worker is a fully qualified professional providing independent services. The trainee role focuses on learning and skill development, while the social worker role involves direct client support and case management.

How to get into social work with no experience?

To become a social work trainee with no experience, consider volunteering or interning in social service settings to gain relevant skills and understanding. Pursuing a relevant qualification, such as a diploma or degree in social work or a related field, can also improve your chances. Additionally, developing strong communication and empathy skills is essential for entry-level roles in social work.

What can I do to get started to be a social work trainee?

To become a social work trainee, you typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent, and pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field is often required. Gaining relevant experience through volunteering or internships and obtaining any necessary state licensure or certification can also help you get started in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Social Work jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Social Work jobs in Colorado are:

Infographic showing various Social Work Trainee job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,435 per year, or $22.3 per hour.

Behavioral Health Specialist II

Mercy Hospital

Durango, CO

$18.04 - $28.88/hr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Job description


Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Behavioral Health Specialist II, you will observe and support patients with mental health and/or substance use needs, working under the supervision of medical professionals, and enforcing specialized training in de-escalation and motivational interviewing to create a therapeutic environment.
Every day you will conduct billable interventions such as SBIRT and SDoH screenings, administer basic treatments under RN/Social Worker/Case Manager direction, and train other Behavioral Health Specialists in EPIC workflows and documentation. You will also facilitate timely referrals, track compliance for billable services, and coordinate various training programs.
To be successful in this role, you will possess strong clinical observation skills, expertise in de-escalation techniques and motivational interviewing, effective communication abilities, and a commitment to patient support, ensuring timely referrals and compliance with billing regulations.

  • Enforces competency in specialized training, deescalation techniques, motivational interviewing, and other interventions as applicable to create a therapeutic and calming environment for patients.
  • Performs direct observation of the patient with a mental health or behavioral safety need and intervenes with specialized therapeutic techniques learned in training competencies required in the Behavioral Health Specialist II role.
  • Performs clinical assessments such as SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment), SDoH screenings, and other billable practices.
  • Educate and train the Behavioral Health Specialist I in EPIC workflows, documentation, and timecard tracking.
  • Facilitate timely referrals and placements from hospital to treatment/recovery support providers.
  • Coordinates, schedules, and recruits registrants to complete various trainings for example SBIRT, Patient Navigation Training, Care Coordination related training programs.
Job Requirements

Required

  • High School Diploma/G.E.D.
  • Two (2) years of experience in Behavior Health or an Associate's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related human services field
  • At least one (1) year of experience working in an acute care setting such as an Emergency Department (ED) or as a Behavioral Health Navigator
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
  • Within their first year of becoming a level II BHA, you must complete SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) training and the hours of observation required for billable services
  • Must also complete within six (6) months the Behavioral Health Initiatives Training Framework that includes our package Behavioral Health curriculum and Allyship trainthetrainer training
  • The Specialist's area of specialty may include other trainee/trainer specific courses
Where You'll Work

Mercy Hospital is an 82 bed, acute care hospital located in the scenic southwestern Colorado town of Durango. It is the only hospital in Colorado to be rated by Medicare with five stars for overall hospital quality. It is recognized for excellence in orthopedic and spine surgery and for outstanding patient experience and patient safety. Mercy has also received ten consecutive ‘A’ grades for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group. Our providers use state-of-the-art technology in an environment designed to promote wellbeing and healing of body, mind, and spirit. Among the many specialty services available at Mercy are emergency care (Level III trauma designation), surgical care, cardiac care (including interventional), Orthopedic and Spine Centers of Excellence, a Family Birthing Center, home care, hospice care and more. Durango offers an exceptional quality of life with small town charm, excellent schools, and year-round, world-class outdoor recreation opportunities including snow sports, river sports, hiking, biking, camping and more.

Qualifications:

Required

  • High School Diploma/G.E.D.
  • Two (2) years of experience in Behavior Health or an Associate's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related human services field
  • At least one (1) year of experience working in an acute care setting such as an Emergency Department (ED) or as a Behavioral Health Navigator
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
  • Within their first year of becoming a level II BHA, you must complete SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) training and the hours of observation required for billable services
  • Must also complete within six (6) months the Behavioral Health Initiatives Training Framework that includes our package Behavioral Health curriculum and Allyship trainthetrainer training
  • The Specialist's area of specialty may include other trainee/trainer specific courses
Employment Type: Full Time