UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals FAQ

Pros

Most competitive pay in the state/country, they have a great benefit package including a pension. The leadership team is responsive and supportive.

Cons

I wish I had been provided more orientation when asked to work in different areas.

Pros

UCSF has a good reputation, so working here looks good on a resume and will help you get your next job. Some of the doctors and most of the nurses are extremely dedicated and truly care about their patients. For career (not per diem) staff, there's a pension and lots of other benefits. For LCSW, pay is really high compared to other SF jobs.

Cons

Morale is low. The pediatric social work department is constantly understaffed, with increasing turnover. Positions have been open for months and management refuses to consider remote work. Meanwhile there is a steady stream of employees leaving for jobs where they can work hybrid or remotely. Across service lines and multiple departments, there is a complete lack of transparency. Management operates based on favoritism. Promotion is based on who you know, not merit. Some people work much harder than others, but are rarely recognized. Unionized jobs means ineffective people stay for years, while good workers get frustrated and leave. The culture is very white, very "nice," and very passive aggressive. Those who don't fit in to this culture are either excluded or targeted. There is a lot of talk about "patient care" but hardly any social work department funds actually go to meet the real needs of patients and families. There are award ceremonies every year where prizes for "social justice" work are distributed. Meanwhile there’s never enough money in the budget for meal cards, hotel vouchers, or parking stickers. Social workers are told to "conserve resources." Parents of pediatric patients are sleeping in their cars and living off free snack bags. Management does not work with the development office to get more funds for families of sick kids. Social workers in pediatrics are risk-averse and territorial, always trying to protect themselves at the expense of colleagues and clients. Many staff at BCH have only ever worked at UCSF, so they don't realize that there are better ways to do things. Or maybe this is their last job - a lot are "lifers" with no motivation to improve because they are just counting down til retirement. Even those who are willing to try something new or different are scared to speak up because they want to keep their jobs. When there are problems managers don't advocate for workers; they will throw any employee under the bus to preserve themselves.

Advice to Management

Being a pediatric social worker is a really hard job. Workers go above and beyond on a daily basis and are never recognized for their efforts. You are losing your most valuable resources - your employees. Take a long look at turnover and compare the cost of recruitment vs retention. Many social workers are leaving because of poor management.

Pros

Flexible schedule and great Management

Cons

No health insurance and no benefits

Advice to Management

Offer benefits to loyal staff

Pros

Great benefits including pension and health insurace

Cons

Oftentimes very short staffed with minimal resources

Pros

Good benefits good pay good

Cons

Not applicable have nothing to complain about