CHP-SW and General Social Work in Hospice Care Differences

Major Takeaways:

The CHP-SW certification signifies advanced training, leadership capability, and deeper clinical expertise in hospice and palliative care.
While general hospice social workers provide essential support, CHP-SW professionals are equipped for complex decision-making, advocacy, and supervisory roles.
Pursuing CHP-SW certification can enhance career growth, salary potential, and emotional resilience in end-of-life care settings.
Eligibility for CHP-SW requires an MSW, state licensure, relevant CEUs, and significant field experience, making it a rigorous but rewarding credential.

Hospice and palliative care are not for the faint of heart. It takes a special kind of person to walk with patients and families through the toughest moments of their lives. As the population ages and more people face serious or terminal illnesses, more settings are hiring social workers with a CHP-SW certification.

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The CHP-SW certification isn’t mandatory to work in hospice care, but it adds a strong layer of credibility and expertise. It shows employers and colleagues that you’ve gone beyond the basics and are well-prepared to handle the complex needs of seriously ill and terminal patients.

In this article, we’ll chat about what exactly the CHP-SW certification is, how it compares to general hospice social work, and whether it might be a good move for your career. We’ll look at credentials, job duties, scope of practice, salary impact, emotional support, and more. Let’s dive in.

Related:

What Is the CHP-SW Certification?

CHP-SW stands for Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker. It’s a mid-level certification for social workers who already have their MSW (Master of Social Work) and want to show that they specialize in working with people who are seriously or terminally ill.

The CHP-SW certification is offered by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in partnership with the Social Work Hospice & Palliative Care Network (SWHPN). It’s not something you can just sign up for on a whim. You need to meet a few specific criteria:

Master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program
State licensure to practice social work
20 hours of continuing education (CEUs) focused on hospice or palliative care
Three years of post-MSW experience in hospice or palliative settings

Overview of General Social Work in Hospice Care

These are the people who are either just starting in the field or haven’t gone for any advanced certification yet. They might have a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) or an MSW, and they work closely with patients, families, and healthcare teams.

Their role typically includes:

Doing psychosocial assessments (getting a sense of the patient’s emotional, social, and mental health needs)
Offering emotional support to patients and their family members
Helping to coordinate care with doctors, nurses, chaplains, and others on the team

They’re absolutely vital to the care team. But they usually aren’t expected to lead teams, dive into complex ethical decisions, or create advanced care plans. Those responsibilities often go to someone with hospice and palliative social work or higher-level experience.

Core Differences Between CHP-SW and General Hospice Social Work

So, how does a Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker differ from a General Social Worker? Let’s break it down:

Educational & Credentialing Requirements

General Hospice Social Worker: May have a BSW or MSW. Usually doesn’t need a bunch of extra CEUs or certifications right off the bat.
CHP-SW: Must have an MSW, state license, 20 hospice/palliative CEUs, and at least three years of experience.

So, from day one, CHP-SW holders bring more training and experience to the table.

Scope of Practice and Competency

General hospice social work roles only handle the basics—emotional support, helping with paperwork, maybe facilitating a family meeting or two.

CHP-SW professionals go deeper. They’re trained in:

Symptom management support (not prescribing meds, but understanding how symptoms affect care planning)
Ethical decision-making (think: advanced directives, life support choices, DNR conversations)
Cultural and spiritual care (how beliefs and traditions impact the dying process)
Grief and trauma-informed care (not just crying with someone, but helping them move through complex grief)

Clinical and Leadership Responsibilities

If you’re CHP-SW certified, you’re not just expected to do the job—you’re expected to lead.

You might:

Supervise other social workers
Mentor interns or new grads
Help plan and lead team meetings
Contribute your voice to clinical decisions

Generalists, especially BSW-level graduates, typically play more of a supporting role.

Advocacy and Policy Engagement

CHP-SW social workers are trained to speak up—loudly and clearly—on behalf of their patients.

That can include:

Shaping hospice policies
Leading community education about end-of-life care
Pushing for system-wide changes around care access and dignity in dying

Generalists might still advocate, but it’s usually on a smaller, case-by-case basis.

Skill Set Comparison: CHP-SW vs. Generalist Social Worker

Skill/Knowledge Area	Generalist Social Worker	CHP-SW Certified Social Worker
End-of-life counseling	Basic	Advanced
Ethics and legal frameworks	Foundational	Specialized and applied
Grief and bereavement care	General knowledge	In-depth intervention planning
Team leadership	Limited	Regular, expected responsibility
Pain/symptom management	Observational	Supportive of clinical plans

Career Growth & Job Opportunities

If you want to grow your career in hospice or palliative care, the CHP-SW certification can open some major doors.

With CHP-SW, you’ll be in the running for:

Leadership positions like supervisor, clinical coordinator, or program director
Roles in specialized hospital units focused on palliative care
Teaching or research positions focused on end-of-life issues

General hospice social workers, on the other hand, might need several more years of experience—and possibly additional credentials—before they can move into palliative care social worker roles.

Salary and Recognition

Having an NASW hospice certification doesn’t guarantee a huge pay raise, but it often leads to higher earning potential. Why?

Employers see it as proof of expertise
You may be eligible for leadership stipends or bonuses
It makes you more competitive when applying to high-paying roles

Meanwhile, generalist social workers might start at lower pay grades and have to work their way up or pursue additional certification to move up the ladder.

Emotional Demands & Professional Support

Whether you’re certified or not, working in hospice is emotionally intense. You’re surrounded by grief, pain, and loss on a daily basis.

CHP-SW certification includes training in:

how to cope
build peer support systems
use advanced supervision strategies

You’re not expected to just “figure it out.” There are frameworks in place to help you stay emotionally healthy.

When it comes to hospice social work vs. CHP-SW, one major difference is how each role is equipped to handle the emotional toll of the job. Generalists might not have access to the same level of support, especially in smaller or under-resourced organizations. That can lead to faster burnout if you’re not careful.

Should You Pursue CHP-SW Certification?

Good question. Here are a few things to ask yourself:

Do I want to specialize in end-of-life care social work?
Am I ready to step into leadership or advanced clinical roles?
Do I care deeply about being involved in ethical decisions and advocacy?

If the answer is yes to all of those, CHP-SW could be a great next step.

Pros of Certification

More credibility in your field
Greater career mobility
Stronger role in patient advocacy and policy work

Things to Consider

It takes time and effort (especially the CEUs and application paperwork)
There’s an application fee
You need to be emotionally prepared to dive even deeper into tough cases

How to Start the CHP-SW Certification Journey

Ready to pursue the advanced certification for hospice social workers? Here’s how to begin:

Get experience early. Don’t wait until after you’ve been in the field for years to start thinking about certification. While you do need three years of post-MSW experience in hospice or palliative care, you can start building your foundation earlier.
Track your CEUs. To qualify for CHP-SW, you’ll need at least 20 hours of CEUs specifically related to hospice and palliative care. That includes topics like end-of-life counseling, grief support, ethical decision-making, and trauma-informed care. Keep a record of all your CEU certificates and make sure the content is relevant.
Find a mentor. Connect with someone who already holds the CHP-SW. If your workplace doesn’t have someone in that role, reach out through NASW or the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network (SWHPN)—they often have mentorship or networking opportunities.
Gather your documentation. You’ll need proof of:
- Your MSW degree
- State licensure
- Verification of your work experience in hospice/palliative care (typically in the form of employer letters)
- Copies of your CEU certificates
- A few professional references, ideally from supervisors or colleagues familiar with your work in end-of-life settings
Keep learning. Stay current on ethics, laws, and new research in hospice and palliative care.

Conclusion

The CHP-SW certification isn’t just a fancy title—it’s a sign that you’re deeply committed to the emotional, ethical, and clinical complexity of end-of-life care. When comparing CHP-SW vs generalist hospice social worker roles, the difference really comes down to depth: in training, responsibility, career options, and long-term impact.

If you’re someone who feels called to this work on a deeper level—someone who wants to lead, teach, and advocate—then the CHP-SW could be a meaningful next step in your professional journey.