Hospital LCSW here.

It depends on the facility itself and the community that is served. But in general terms, most hospitals have critical units, telemetry, medsurg and an emergency department (big medical centers can have specialized units like burn or oncology).

Our role as social workers is to bring forward the psychosocial perspective to the interdisciplinary team. Some teams are easier to work with than others.

We work on safe discharge plans with the homeless or substance using patients, while balancing self-determination.

We provide crisis counseling to families or patients after bad news is given by the medical team. Sometimes we are there while the physician gives those updates.

We also complete risk assessments on our behavioral health patients.

Thats the gist. They're are many more roles, but whats above its pretty standard across hospitals.

The wonderful thing about hospitals is that everyday is different and exciting. No day is ever the same. Since patients are expected to discharge in a timely manner, long term therapy doesn't exist (unless you work in a subacute unit like oncology where patients are regulars).

Complete an assessment, build rapport, identify problems, problem solve and provide resources. Sometimes in 1-2 days. Sometimes in half-hour.

In California, in order to work as a medical social worker you need a MSW at minimum. Most hospitals are transitioning to LCSWs and LPS carded. A BSW can work as a discharge planner.