Connect military families to care and support Social Work

Whether they’re defending our country or helping those who cannot help themselves, Sailors and Marines must endure long separations from loved ones and exceptional emotional circumstances. So must their families. Social workers are crucial in helping everyone stay strong.

Jobs

As a Navy Social Worker, you’ll connect those who serve and their family members to the care and support they need. Counsel individuals who are about to deploy and their families. Offer crisis intervention for those who have undergone a traumatic experience. Or even lead workshops on a variety of topics, like transitioning from deployment to everyday life.

As someone with a master’s degree in social work (MSW), your days will be filled with helping adults and children through some of life’s greatest challenges. And you’ll gain experience that is simply not available to those who have civilian social work jobs.

Being a clinical Social Worker in the Navy gives you the opportunity to be a professional in practice, from mental health and therapy/psychology to case management and family services. Plus, it helps you develop your leadership skills as an Officer.

Join a growing community of select medical professionals who work in some of the most dynamic environments anywhere. You’ll receive specialty training and continuing postgraduate education that will allow you to maintain a competitive edge. And the skills you acquire will take you far, long after you return to civilian life.

Job Description

As a Navy Social Worker, you’re the key to connecting families to the resources they need. Your focus is on our men and women in the Navy and Marine Corps, so their focus is on keeping our country safe and rendering aid.

You may also:

  • Conduct awareness workshops and lead conflict resolution training
  • Work as part of a team that includes Developmental Pediatricians, Occupational and Physical Therapists, and other professionals in the distinguished Navy Medical Service Corps

No matter where you work, your clients will be diverse, geographically and culturally. And you will work to help maintain a proactive social work community, addressing manageable issues before they grow unmanageable. And while some of the issues you deal with experience similar issues as a civilian social worker, your experiences will take you well beyond the civilian world.

Specific Responsibilities

As a Social Worker and Officer in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you will typically provide:

  • Advocacy, guidance and counsel for currently serving and retired military personnel and their families
  • Resource coordination for social, psychological, behavioral, medical, financial, substance abuse, educational and transitional areas
  • Mental health therapy, from physical illness and disease to family issues and traumatic experiences
  • Crisis intervention

In short, you’ll help those who face some of life’s greatest challenges.

Work Environment

As a Navy Clinical Care Provider, you’ll serve in a variety of locations, including Medical Treatment Facilities (MTF), Major Military Medical Centers, and Fleet and Family Support Centers throughout the world.

Wherever you’re stationed, you will make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for brave servicemembers and the families who support them across the globe.

Education Opportunities

Wherever you are in your professional career, the Navy can help ease your financial burdens and advance your career with generous scholarships, financial assistance and continuing education programs.

Graduate Students

Navy Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP) – Receive up to $134,600 while finishing supervised clinicals. This amount includes a generous monthly salary and housing allowance ranging from $3,280 to $5,610 for up to 24 months.*

Offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Officer Recruiter contact you.

*Navy HSCP housing allowance based on graduate school location. Increased offer amounts available in areas with a higher cost of living.

Practicing Professionals

Navy Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) – Receive up to $40,000 to help repay your graduate school loans.*

To be eligible, you must serve as an Active Duty Medical Service Corps Officer for each year you receive the loan payment.

Offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Officer Recruiter contact you.

*Offer depends on specialty, service requirement and availability.

Qualifications

To qualify for Active Duty employment consideration as a Social Worker in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you must meet these basic requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S. (contact a
    Navy Medical Recruiter for details)
  • Master of social work (MSW) from a graduate school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Minimum of two years’ full-time supervised clinical social work experience (post-master’s degree)
  • Current licensure/certification as a clinical social worker by the jurisdiction where practicing; licensure/certification must allow the social worker to practice independently
  • Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty
  • Be between the ages of 18 and 41
  • Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination

You may also be expected to meet certain preferred requirements:

  • Experience in mental health (inpatient and outpatient) with knowledge and skills in: diagnosis, evaluation and treatment; medical social work, case management and discharge planning; family violence, including child and spousal abuse; and developmental delays in children
  • Supervisory program management or other leadership experience
  • Knowledge, skill and comfort in working with diverse populations from various cultural backgrounds

 

After the Navy

“One of the unique aspects about being a clinician within the military’s health system is that it’s not a for-profit-driven system. The focus is not to get the numbers of patients in to get the revenue up... I can focus strictly on the patient care needs.” – LT Bryan Pyle

Here, you’ll find unrivaled training and educational opportunities, incomparable benefits and experience, and deeper pride and purpose. You’ll also find superior leadership opportunities that will pay off long after you return to the civilian world.

Consider Your Service Options.

There are different ways that you can commit to serve in America's Navy. Besides full-time opportunities in Active Duty, part-time Reserve positions are also available in this career area.