Manager, Social Work - Inpatient Services

UW Health; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plans

Parental leave

Tuition benefits

Flexible schedules

Job summary

UW Health in Madison, WI, seeks a Manager of Social Work - Inpatient Services to lead a large inpatient social work team across UW Health locations. The role emphasizes operational leadership, patient-centered care, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.

The ideal candidate will hold a Wisconsin LCSW and bring 5+ years of social work experience with 2+ years in healthcare leadership. Hybrid schedule, travel within the state, and a focus on staff development are offered.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work required
• Post-Master's degree, five years social work experience, including two years in health care social work, required
• Licensed in Wisconsin as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required
• Experience leading change in healthcare required
• Experience in process and quality improvement principles required

Responsibilities

• Provide operational and clinical leadership for inpatient social work services
• Lead, mentor, develop, and support a team of approximately 50-60 direct reports
• Drive quality improvement, process improvement, and patient-centered care initiatives
• Partner with providers, nursing, case management, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated, high-quality care
• Support staff recruitment, retention, engagement, and professional development
• Establish and maintain clinical standards, regulatory compliance, and best practices
• Influence system-wide social work strategies and foster collaborative relationships across UW Health

Skills

Leadership

Change management

Process improvement

Collaboration

Staff development

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work

Job description

Work Schedule:
This leadership role offers a hybrid work environment, with a primary office location at University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. The position supports inpatient services across UW Health and requires regular travel to all UW Health hospital locations throughout the state. To foster strong team engagement, operational oversight, and collaboration, the successful candidate is expected to maintain an on-site presence three to four days per week. Additional travel may be required based on organizational needs. As a leader supporting 24/7 inpatient operations, occasional off-hours availability may be necessary to provide leadership support when needed.

Be part of something remarkable

Lead with purpose. Transform patient and family care.

At UW Health, social work is more than a profession-it's a vital part of delivering compassionate, patient- and family-centered care.

We're seeking an exceptional Manager, Social Work - Inpatient Services to lead a team of dedicated social workers who make a meaningful difference every day for patients and families navigating complex healthcare journeys.

Why this role stands out

This is an opportunity to lead a large, highly respected inpatient social work team while helping shape the future of care delivery across one of the nation's leading academic health systems. You'll collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, influence strategic initiatives, strengthen care transitions, and champion innovative solutions that improve the patient and family experience.

What you'll do

• Provide operational and clinical leadership for inpatient social work services
• Lead, mentor, develop, and support a team of approximately 50-60 direct reports
• Drive quality improvement, process improvement, and patient-centered care initiatives
• Partner with providers, nursing, case management, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated, high-quality care
• Support staff recruitment, retention, engagement, and professional development
• Establish and maintain clinical standards, regulatory compliance, and best practices
• Influence system-wide social work strategies and foster collaborative relationships across UW Health

About the team:

This leader will oversee social work services focused on inpatient and emergency department populations. The team plays a critical role in addressing psychosocial needs, supporting patients and families through health crises, conducting suicide risk assessments, and enhancing transitions across the continuum of care. Exciting work is underway to strengthen systems that support patients moving from pediatric to adult care settings.

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

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work. Required

Work Experience

• Post-Master's degree, five (5) years social work experience, including two (2) years of health care social work experience. Required
• Progressive leadership experience in leadership and management. Preferred
• Experience leading change in healthcare. Required
• Experience in process improvement and quality improvement principles. Required

Licenses & Certifications

• Licensed in the state of Wisconsin as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Required

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.