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CWC's

Life Care Specialist

Fighting the opioid epidemic in hospitals nationwide, one patient at a time. 

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What Is a Life Care Specialist (LCS)?

LCSs are integrated members of healthcare teams who fight the American opioid epidemic by providing alternative pain management and mental wellness solutions for patients in need.

The Life Care Specialist’s Role in Hospitals:

Educate patients about opioid risk, appropriate medication tapering, proper disposal, and signs of overdose.

Provide behavioral pain management resources, including mental wellness techniques and resilience tactics.

Facilitate care coordination by advocating for patient needs.

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What Life Care Specialists Provide

Pain Management Techniques

Healing comes in dozens of forms depending on the patient’s situation, history, and particular needs. LCSs build a custom care plan for every patient so healing can take place in mind, body, and spirit.

Personalized Pain Coping Plan

LCSs teach non-pharmacological pain management techniques and work with each patient to craft a pain management plan.

Partner Hospitals

LCSs serve on patient care teams alongside doctors and nurses. It is an honor to partner with hospitals that recognize the invaluable presence of Life Care Specialists.

“When you’ve got multiple call buttons going off 
and difficult cases, call the LCS. They will be your lifeline.”
5B Unit Manager speaking to nurses
“I wish I had an LCS when I had to have all of my back surgeries last year. That would’ve helped a lot then.”
Patient with past orthopedic injuries and chronic pain
“Thank you so much for sitting with me. It has been so lonely and I just needed to talk to someone.”
Long-term stay patient
“You really helped me so much. When I first got here I was at a loss. I had so much pain I didn’t want to do the work it took to get better, but you helped me change my perspective on all the pain. Now I have a goal and a reason to push forward.”
Study participant reflecting on inpatient experience
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The Life Care Specialist 
Certification Journey

Life Care Specialists begin their careers through the Mercer School of Medicine accredited certification.

Learn how just one LCS can change hundreds of lives through education, prevention, and support.

  Education

Through the Mercer School of Medicine, the LCS training program provides comprehensive education on opioid addiction and treatment, evidence-based pain management techniques, and trauma-informed mental wellness skills.

  Practicum

Upon course completion, LCSs receive on-the-floor training at Grady Hospital in Atlanta and training in their local hospital environment from a senior LCS trainer.

  Advocacy

Customized care plans and advocacy for every patient help LCSs take steps toward more education and prevention for the opioid epidemic.

CWC's Hospital Partnership Opportunities

Hospital partnerships are crucial for a successful LCS program. CWC is dedicated to supporting LCSs as our hospital partners provide on-the-ground leadership and support. As a result,
 LCSs provide relief for existing hospital staff and support 
patients in crisis.

The Path to Working With an LCS

Departments

Examples of departments LCSs service are orthopedics, internal medicine, palliative care, sickle cell, and oncology. Based on where your hospital needs support, LCSs adapt to where they are needed most.

Leadership

Engagement from your hospital’s C-suite leaders is crucial to the success of your LCS and partnership with CWC. LCSs thrive when they receive support from CWC and their local hospital.

Funding

Obtaining adequate funding for the LCS position looks different for every hospital. Whether you have received a grant or have access to state opioid settlement funds, CWC is happy to discuss strategies for your particular context.

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Want More Information?

Please reach out if you need support or want to get involved.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We welcome every question in hopes that the Life Care Specialist role will soon spread to communities nationwide. Here are some questions we hear most often:

How do hospitals get an LCS?

Hospitals interested in bringing an LCS to their team will begin by connecting with CWC, assessing their hospital’s needs, securing leadership support, and acquiring funding. LCSs are then placed in key hospital departments where they provide critical support to patients and staff.

Do LCSs really make a difference?

They truly do. Our clinical study showed that participants who saw an LCS were discharged with 25% less opioid pain medication compared to those who did not interact with an LCS.

Do I need prior experience to become an LCS?

Medical experience is preferred but not required to become an LCS, and neither is a college degree. The Mercer School of Medicine certification is intentionally crafted to equip passionate individuals from various walks of life.

Are LCSs counselors or therapists?

LCSs are paraprofessionals who can provide a first step in educating patients about mental health, but they do not replace counselors or therapists.

What does it take to become an LCS?

The Life Care Specialist certification is a career path that stems from a deep place of empathy and compassion. The desire to make a difference in even one life is what creates a great LCS.

Where are LCSs located?

Life Care Specialists currently work in hospitals across Georgia and Arkansas, and we are ready to continue expanding!

I don’t work in a hospital and I can’t become an LCS – are there other ways to help?

There are so many avenues for fighting the opioid epidemic. Educating yourself, donating to CWC or one of our partners, carrying Narcan, and speaking out about the dangers of opioid misuse are all ways to make an impact.