Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Medical Social Worker
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Medical Social Worker supports patients and families facing financial, emotional, social, and practical difficulties related to illness. Typical requirements include a recognised degree in Social Work, relevant professional registration or eligibility for registration in Singapore, and experience in healthcare or community settings. The role involves psychosocial assessments, counselling, financial assistance applications, discharge planning, referrals, case documentation, and collaboration with doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. Candidates are expected to demonstrate empathy, sound judgement, strong communication and case-management skills, confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team.
Can I work in Singapore?
Never pay anyone for a visa or a job offer. A real employer pays the permit costs and never asks you for money.
How it works
How it works: Hospital offer first; it registers you with the Nursing Board (equivalent training, valid licence, maybe an exam) and sponsors an S Pass (SGD 3,300+) or Employment Pass.
Before you apply: Nurses, doctors and most allied health staff must be registered or licensed locally before they start: expect checks on your degree and licence, often an English test, and often an exam or an assessment. Ask the employer who handles it and how long it takes. Most pharma and device office jobs do not need it.
Watch for: Only healthcare institutions with inpatient services can bring in foreign nurses, and the Singapore Nursing Board deals with their HR teams only, never with agents.
Official source: Singapore Nursing Board: foreign-trained nurses and midwives. Checked November 2026.
What the job usually comes with in Singapore
Usual for Healthcare jobs in Singapore, varies by employer. Checked November 2026.
| Registration | Hospital applies to the Nursing Board for you: training, licence, practice in last 5 years; maybe an exam |
|---|---|
| Relocation | Work Permit staff: employer pays levy, bond and insurance (by law); relocation help is an expat perk |
| Housing | Public hospital groups offer foreign nurses a housing allowance (Ministry of Health, May 2023) |
| Flights | Work Permit staff: flight home paid by the employer (by law); others only if the offer says so |
| Contract | Work Permit up to 2 years; S Pass and Employment Pass up to 2, then 3; notice 1 day to 4 weeks by default |
| Leave | 7 to 14 days (by law; many get more); 11 public holidays; 14 days' sick leave, 60 in hospital |
| Income tax | 0% up to SGD 20,000 a year, then 2% to 24% (about 3% at SGD 60,000); resident rates on a 1-year pass |
Senior staff often get more than line staff, for example a single room or a yearly home flight. Ask the employer what the job includes before you accept.
Guidance, not legal advice. Rules change; your employer confirms the details for your case.
About SingHealth Polyclinics
SingHealth Polyclinics is the primary-care network within Singapore’s SingHealth healthcare group. Its polyclinics provide affordable, accessible medical services for patients across different life stages, including general practice, chronic disease management, preventive care, women’s and children’s health, dental services, and allied health support. As part of Singapore’s public healthcare system, SingHealth Polyclinics also contributes to education, research, health promotion, and coordinated care with hospitals and community partners. Medical Social Workers support the organisation’s patient-centred approach by helping individuals and families manage social, emotional, financial, and practical challenges that may affect treatment and recovery. The organisation offers opportunities to work with diverse patient groups and collaborate closely with multidisciplinary healthcare teams.