Social Worker
Kaina Arias
Duties/Responsibilities
Direct-service social workers:
- Develop plans to improve their clients’ well-being
- Help clients adjust to changes and challenges in their lives, such as illness, divorce, or unemployment
- Research and refer clients to community resources, such as food stamps, child care, and healthcare
- Help clients work with government agencies to apply for and receive benefits such as Medicare
- Respond to crisis situations, such as natural disasters or child abuse
- Advocate for and help clients get resources that would improve their well-being
- Diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders, including anxiety and depression
- Assess clients’ histories, backgrounds, and situations to understand their needs, as well as their strengths and weaknesses
- Develop a treatment plan with the client, doctors, and other healthcare professionals
- Encourage clients to discuss their emotions and experiences to develop a better understanding of themselves and their relationships
- Work with clients to develop strategies to change behavior or cope with difficult situations
- Refer clients to other resources or services, such as support groups or other mental health professionals
- Evaluate their clients’ progress and, if necessary, adjust the treatment plan
Working Schedule/Average Hours
Some social assistance establishments operate around the clock, and evening, weekend, and holiday work is common. Some establishments may be understaffed, this means that there will be large caseloads for each worker. Some workers spend a great amount of time traveling within the local area
Salary/Wage Potential (per year)
$47,230 healthcare social workers
$40,210 child family and schools social work
$38,600 mental health and substance abuse social workers
$51,500 for all other social worke
Job Out Look/ Work Locations
Job Out Look: 25% (faster than average)
Locations:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Nursing homes
- Community mental health clinics
- Private practices
- State and local governments
- Schools
- Colleges and universities
- Substance abuse clinics
- Military bases and hospitals
Advancement Opportunities
To advance in this field you can either go into a
private practice or you have to be specialized in a certain field.
What the Job Requires
Education needed
Direct service work positions need a bachelor’s degree, but some require a masters. Clinical social workers need to be licensed. Southern Illinois Universtiy offers Social work.
Skills Required
You need to have:
- Compassion
- Good Listening Skills
- Organizational Skills
- People Skills
- Problem Solving Skills
- Time-management Skills