If you’re searching for a career that offers a variety of options, diversity and a feeling of satisfaction, consider social work. The profession of a social worker can vary as well as the settings. Social workers can be found in hospitals, clinics, private businesses and agencies, courts and many other interesting environments. A career in social work entails its own practice standards and a strict code of ethics to better our families and communities.
Clinical Social Work Career
Clinical social workers provide services for individuals and families suffering from a mental illness. Prevention, diagnosis and treatment information and services may be provided to those with emotional, mental or behavioral issues. Clinical social workers can be found in a variety of settings including medical facilities, mental health clinics, schools and child welfare agencies. The main goal of a clinical social worker is to help a patient maintain social, physical and psychological function.
School Social Work Career
School social workers supply pupil services to adolescents in schools across the United States. Counseling and training is provided to children and families who need assistance in coping with psychological or social problems that arise at home, school or work. School social workers may refer children to specific programs and services and present coping methods. They may need to serve as liaisons between the student and their home life, doctors, school, court and other contacts.
Medical Social Work Career
Medical social workers can be found in hospitals, clinics, schools, hospice or other facilities that may require medical guidance. The job description of a medical social worker entails counseling patients and their families and providing medical planning, evaluations, abuse investigations, crisis interventions and treatment referrals. Medical social workers help individuals become more self-sufficient and to strengthen personal relationships to better social function. Medical social workers connect with individual patients and their families to assess psychosocial functioning.
Substance Abuse Social Work Career
Substance abuse social workers help individuals with substance abuse problems, such as the abuse of tobacco, alcohol or prescription or illegal drugs. Numerous services are provided including individual or group therapies, crisis interventions, outreach help, skill training and social rehabilitation. Substance abuse social workers can be found in churches, schools, medical facilities and government departments. Social workers in this specific field must first find the root of the addiction and consistently with the patient to help find positive coping methods and treatment plan.
Mental Health Social Work Career
Mental health social workers assess and treat individuals with mental illnesses. Services that are offered include therapy, crisis intervention, outreach help, living skills and rehabilitation. Social workers in the mental health field have the responsibility of visiting patients at various locations such as their homes and to attend meetings. This professional may include addressing topics such as homelessness, child abuse, domestic violence, poverty and substance abuse.
Social Work Policymakers Career
Social work policymakers and Social Work Administrators work to develop policies that regulate and maintain social worker services and how they provide these services to clients. The profession of a social work policymaker entails a broad knowledge of social work aspects. Some may specialize in certain areas such as child social work or family social work. Social work policymakers must understand the pressures that social workers face and produce productive solutions to fit the needs of both the social worker and client.
Learn More
Social workers have a strong commitment to help and protect our families and communities and to promote the welfare of our youth. While social workers can work in various areas such as clinical, medical, abuse or other important field, the top goal of all social workers remain the same. Providing human services and enabling individuals to cope with their environment through practical tools is the main objective.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social worker outlook handbook describing the nature of the work, qualifications, employment, wages and advancement.
- Careers in Social Work: Information about the profession, educational and licensing requirements and income related data.
- The Social Work Profession: Student resource guide to learning about careers in social work and licensure information.
- Clinical Social Workers: Find future employers through a list of popular fields of practice for clinical social workers.
- Careers for Social Work Majors: Career options and titles available for those who have a major in social work.
- Social Work Career Guide: Career Resources and in depth guide for a career in social work.
If you are interested in advancing your Social Work Career you may consider the following resources for obtaining your Social Work Degree:
Online Social Work Degrees – A listing of the various social work degrees available
Masters Degree Program in Social Work – A degree program for those who do not have their bachelors in social work.
Master of Social Work Program – A program overview of UNE’s Master of Social Work Program
Individual, Family, and Group Practice Online MSW Program – A advanced program that enables you to obtain a concentration in individual, family or group practice social work.
Individual and Community Practice Online MSW Program – A advanced Masters in Social work with a concentration in Individual and Community Practice.
Online Social Worker Degrees - The various online degree options for social workers.
Online MSW Degree Program FAQS – A listing of the frequently asked questions related to an Online MSW Degree Program.
Online Masters Degree in Social Work – Why you should consider a online masters degree in social work.