Exploring_Human_Services

Exploring Human Services Occupations: Social Worker BSHS 302 Exploring Human Services: Social Worker The human service field has a variety of positions within, all of which require a college degree. For instance; for one to enter human services as a social worker, minimum requirements must be met. The work environment varies, depending on the social worker’s specialized degree, and the job outlook is promising. A social worker is a special individual who works with a vast client base and a multitude of issues, whose advancement opportunities are plentiful, but are reliant on the goals of the social worker. The need for social workers by numerous employers such as schools, state and local governments, child and family services agencies, and medical and substance abuse clinics will increase over the next decade because of numerous factors discussed later on in this paper. The purpose of this paper is to research and discuss qualifications, working environment, job outlook, advancement opportunities, types of clients, and prospective employers of the social worker. Qualifications of the Social Worker As stated in the Occupational Outlook Handbook for social workers (2011), social work is a profession for those who have a strong desire to help improve people’s lives. Social work requires compassion, understanding, the ability to empathize and sympathize, objectivity, and quality people skills, but these are not the only requirements or qualifications one needs to become a social worker. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have some licensure, certification, or registration requirements; but these regulations vary from state to state (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011). A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required to obtain a social service position such as case worker, mental health assistant, group home worker, and residential counselor; however, some positions require an advanced degree and experience in a social work environment. Whereas a bachelor’s degree in social work is the minimum requirement for a position as a social worker, majors in psychology and related fields or a master’s degree may be other requirements to qualify one for a position for some entry-level jobs (Rampur, 2010). One would only need a master’s degree if the position called for it such as in health, clinical, and school settings or supervisory and staff training positions (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011). A master’s degree prepares the graduate to work in their chosen field of concentration and continue to develop the skills required to perform clinical assessments, manage large caseloads, take on supervisory roles, and explore new methods of drawing upon social services to meet the needs of clients (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011). Should one want or chose to teach at a college or university, the individual would need to obtain a doctorate in social work or Ph.D. Before an individual decides to obtain a degree to work in a social service position, they should volunteer as an aid to be sure social work is of interest before they begin college. Working Environment Social workers usually spend their time in an office or residential facility (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011). Some social workers will meet with the client within the local area, travel to attend meetings and meet with service providers, and community settings. Some of the office settings include schools, child protective agencies, and community clinics. Residential facility settings include nursing homes, assisted living centers, and within the client’s personal living space. Full-time social workers will work 40 hours per week, and will oftentimes work weekends attending community meetings and handle any emergencies that may arise (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011). Some social workers will work as a volunteer part-time for nonprofit agencies. The work environment varies depending on social work profession or field of concentration, thus presenting the job outlook is far from bleak. Job Outlook The job outlook for social workers is promising. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2011), employment for social workers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations increasing by 16% over the next decade. The increase is, partially because of the increase of the elderly population and the demand for more health and social service workers. While it is reported that employment of child, family, and school social workers will increase by 12%, the growth for social workers may be hindered by budget constraints of state, federal, and local governments. A statistic left to question, but reported on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2011) is mental health and substance abuse social workers will grow by almost 20% over the 2008-2018 decade, which is much faster than the average. With the United States currently in an economic crisis with unemployment on the rise, financial woes are causing depression; suicidal ideations, drug and alcohol abuse, and crime to increase; thus the greater need for social workers specializing in mental health and substance abuse. As the economic crisis remains unresolved, the demand for substance abuse and mental health social workers will strengthen. In addition, opportunities for social worker within the private sectors will increase because they are preferred over the more costly alternative, psychologists. Furthermore, the new health care bill requires that employer offered insurance plans cover mental health treatment, which will increase the demand for mental health social workers. Generally, the job outlook is promising for the social worker profession, not only because of the growth, but also the need to replace the social worker who leave or retire from the occupation. Advancement Opportunities Opportunity for advancement for those with a bachelor’s degree is slightly limited. However, one who has a master’s degree with a concentration in sociology, psychology, social science and related fields have more opportunities for advancement. Such promotions include job positions such as supervisor, program manager, assistant director or executive director of a social service agency or department (eLearn Portal, 2010). If one wants to pursue starting a private practice, a master’s degree and a period of supervised work experience would be required, thus making owning one’s own private practice the ultimate promotion. Types of Clients Served A social worker helps a wide variety of clients and is a profession in which the social worker helps various clients who face many types of issues. Some social workers help clients with physical and mental disabilities, life-threatening or terminal illness, social issues such as unemployment or substance abuse, families that live with spousal or child abuse, and vulnerable populations such as elderly and chronically mentally ill homeless clients (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011). These types of clients mentioned require assistance with coping with and solving issues in their everyday lives, and the social workers steps in to work in the best interest of the client. Prospective Employers The prospective employers for the social work profession is within child, family and school settings, medical and public health facilities, mental health and substance abuse facilities, and in-home personal care settings. These are just a few potential employment settings a social worker could seek employment. Prospective employment ultimately depends on the social worker’s degree and area of concentration such as a master’s degree with a concentration in psychology and clinical hours of 900 hours would qualify the social worker for a position as a supervisory role or manage a larger caseload in a clinical setting. Prospective employer’s qualifications determine a social workers potential placement. Conclusion The human services profession has a variety of professionals within the field; one in particular is a social worker, who is considered to be a special individual who works with a large client base with a multitude of issues. A social worker must meet minimum educational requirements to obtain a job from a prospective employer. Social work also requires compassion, objectiveness, quality people skills, emotional maturity, loving nature, strong desire to want to help people improve their lives, and the ability to communicate effectively. The social work profession is in high demand because of factors such as the increase of the elderly population, social issues such as unemployment and substance abuse, crime, and legislation’s passage in the health care bill pertaining to insurance coverage for mental health treatments. The increased demand for social workers over the next decade offers a promising job outlook, not to mention the opportunity for advancement to a supervisory position upon completion of the required degree, training, and internship. Social workers are employed by schools, state, federal, and local governments, medical and substance abuse clinics, and child and family service agencies, and depending on the degree and area of concentration the social worker holds determines the job acceptance. While the social work profession requires the minimum requirements of a bachelor’s of social work for entry-level employment and a master’s degree with a concentration in psychology, social science, gerontology, and other related fields, the requirements are well worth the achievements. References Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2011) Occupational outlook handbook: social worker (2010-2011 ed.) Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos060.htm eLearnPortal.com. (2010). Thinking of becoming a social worker' Retrieved from http://www.elearnportal.com/online-social-work-degree/thinking-of-becoming-a-social-worker Rampur, S. (2010, July 30). Social worker requirements. Buzzle. Retrieved fromhttp://www.buzzle.com/articles/social-worker-requirements.html