The treatment that a mental health social worker dispenses ranges between the teaching of necessary skills for day-to-day living, crisis intervention, personal or group therapy, or various other interventions. Mental health social workers work in either out-patient or in-patient settings. Some mental health social workers are employed in private practices, where they see the patient privately and decide on the type of therapy according to the issues that are presented in consultation.

Duties Of A Mental Health Social Worker

A mental health social worker basically provides services that assist individuals to deal with crises or issues of a personal nature via therapy, counselling, or other practical assistance. Exactly what they do and how they operate depends on the setting in which they work. In an outpatient setting they usually take on multiple roles, and in substance abuse clinics, their duties could include intermittent drug testing and counseling. Some mental health workers are employed by companies as part of an employee assistance program, where part of their duties would be to assist individuals with personal or work-related stresses that are affecting their ability to work effectively.

Some duties of a mental health social worker are:

• Interviewing clients, conducting assessments, reviewing records, or consulting with other professionals in order to evaluate the mental or physical condition of patients or clients

• Educating clients or community members regarding mental or physical illness, medication, abuse, or the availability of community resources

• Assisting clients in adhering to treatment plans by performing such tasks as setting up appointments for them, arranging for their transportation to those appointments, or providing support

• Counseling or aiding the client or patient’s family as to how to assist them in dealing with, understanding, and supporting them

• Collaborating with physicians, nurses or counselors to plan or coordinate a treatment-plan, drawing on their own social work experience and the needs of the patient

• Monitoring, evaluating and recording a client’s progress with regards to treatment goals

• Referring clients, patients, or families to community resources for housing assistance or treatment to assist in their recovery from a physical or mental illness

• Developing or advising on social policy or assisting in community development

• The planning or conducting of programs to combat social problems, prevent substance abuse, or improve counseling or health services in community

• Counseling clients or patients individually or in group sessions to assist them in dealing with mental or physical illness, substance abuse, physical abuse poverty, or unemployment

Depending on the setting there may also be other duties that the mental health social worker will perform, such as supervising or directing other individuals who provide a range of services to their patients or clients, or modifying treatment plans according to client needs. Many private clinical social workers also often do recordkeeping and various other administrative tasks such as marketing their practice or assisting clients to get payment from their insurance carriers.

It is also the responsibility of every mental health social worker to continually improve their knowledge in the field by conducting social research, attending training workshops and seminars and reviewing current literature.

Skills Required By A Mental Health Social Worker

Mental health social work does not suit everyone, even if they have done other social work before. This is a very stressful career and some very specific skills are required to cope with the stresses of the job.

In order to become a mental health social worker, one needs the following skills:

• Active Listening – this means the ability to give full attention to what other individuals are saying, taking time to understand the points that they are making, asking questions when appropriate and if required, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Active Learning – one must be able to understand the implications of new information and its impact on both current and future problem-solving and decision-making

• Critical Thinking – the ability to use reasoning and logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems is a very important skill for a mental health social worker to have

• Complex Problem Solving – the ability to identify complex problems and review related data in order to develop and evaluate various options and implement the correct solutions

• Effective Communication – this includes the ability to communicate effectively with others both verbally and in writing, in order to convey important information effectively

• Instruction – the ability to instruct others in order to teach them better ways of doing things

• Learning Strategies – the ability to select and use the best and most appropriate training/instructional methods and procedures for a particular situation when learning or teaching new things

• Monitoring – the ability to monitor/assess performance of self, other individuals, or organizations in order to institute improvements or take corrective action

• Negotiation – the ability to bring others together in order to try to reconcile differences.

• Persuasion – the power of Persuasion is important in order to get others to change their minds or destructive behavior

• Systems Analysis – the ability to determine how a particular system should be working and how changes in operations, conditions, and environment could affect outcomes

• Systems Evaluation – the ability to identify different indicators or measures of system performance and the actions required in order to correct or improve performance, relative to the goals of the system

There are also other skills required, such as management of personnel resources, judgment and decision-making, time management, coordination and reading comprehension.

Work Environment

Social workers held 650,500 jobs in 2010, and were employed in 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. The work in done mainly in an office, but there are also occasions that require a mental health social worker to go out into the field.

According to stats released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2010, the industries that employed the most mental health substance abuse social workers were:

Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers 17%
Individual and family services 16
Hospitals; state, local, and private 14
Local government, excluding education and hospitals 10
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private 8

Mental health social workers generally work full-time, and like many other types of social workers, they may on occasion be required to work evenings or over a weekend.

How To Become A Mental Health Social Worker

The requirements to become a mental health social worker differ somewhat in various jurisdictions, but generally most states require that one have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Some jurisdictions also require a certain amount of fieldwork to be done before licensure can be obtained. It is possible to become a mental health social worker in some states with a bachelor’s degree other than the bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), if you have a bachelor’s degree in a closely related field.

Some positions, including those in schools and healthcare frequently require that applicants have a master’s degree in social work (MSW) or a closely-related subject. No matter what qualification is required, it is always a good idea to pursue a higher education, as it will help you to stand out among other job candidates, and will augur well for your future in the field.

All clinical social workers must have an MSW, which takes 2 years to complete, although there are some programs that allow those who already have a BSW to complete their MSW within 1 year. All MSW programs will prepare you for work in your chosen field, and help you to develop the skills to do clinical assessments, manage a large number of clients, and take on a supervisory role. All programs also include a compulsory amount of hours that must be done either in an internship or doing supervised fieldwork.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, the job outlook for mental health and substance abuse social workers is expected to grow by 31% between 2010 and 2020, which is faster than the average for other occupations.

This growth is expected to happen as a result of more people seeking treatment for addiction and mental illness. Drug offenders are increasingly being sent for treatment rather than to jail, therefore the use of substance abuse treatment programs is expected to grow exponentially, which will thereby increase the demand for mental health and substance abuse social workers.

Licensure

Licensure varies by state, but all states do require some sort of certification or licensure requirement. Clinical social workers are required to be licensed in all states, and as such, as a mental health social worker you will be required to do what is required by the state in which you intend to practice in order to gain licensure.

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In order to understand the foster care and social work systems, one needs to understand everything about foster care, how it should be instituted, and the role that social workers play in foster care. There is no breaking social work and foster care up; there is no way that foster care could work without social work and all the social workers that put so much into their work.

What Is Foster Care?

Foster care is a service which provides a means of creating a safe temporary placement for children who can, for various reasons, not remain safely in their parental home. Children who are in foster-care are placed in the custody of the Department of Social Services by court order. This means that social work and foster care are inexorably intertwined and it is incumbent on the social worker to ensure that the child is placed into foster care with the right family.
Foster care is intended to create a plan of permanency for the child that will last throughout his or her youth and until they can be released from the custody of the social work agency and state oversight. If possible, attempts will be made to return the child to the familial home, but should this not be possible another permanent planned living arrangement will be made.

The priorities of social work and foster care are as follows:

1. Reunify the child with his or her parents
2. The child should be adopted, preferably by a relative, but if that is not possible then by a non-relative
3. The child should be placed under guardianship with a relative or non-relative
4. Foster-care placement with a relative who is willing to offer a long-term, secure commitment to the child
5. Other planned foster care as a permanent living arrangement

Plans for permanent placements are made only after a comprehensive family assessment has been done and the parents have been provided with any help that may enhance their capacity to care for the child or children. If necessary, the family and or foster children are also provided with services that address the physical, mental and educational well-being of the children.

Who Is Eligible For Social Work And Foster Care Services?

Social work and foster care services are provided by 46 County Department of Social Services (DSS) offices across the United States, and intensive clinical and foster care services are provided by regional services. There are also other public and private providers who provide services to families in need of social work and foster care, once such needs have been identified via a comprehensive family assessment and individualized case plan.

The DSS provides foster care services to:

• Children aged 0-18 years of age who the court has determined cannot remain in their home for their own safety, and who are in the custody of the Department

• Parents whose children have been removed from their home for the children’s safety

• Chafee Independent Living services also provides social work and foster care services, via DSS, to youth between the ages of 13-21; they are taught skills that increase their chances of successfully transitioning out of the foster care system

• After Care Services are also available to youth who emancipate from foster care once they reach the age of 18

What Social Work And Foster Care Services Are Offered?

The Department of Social Services offers various services, which include joint assessment and development of individual case plans by parents, children and Department staff. Parents are offered help and advice to help them change the circumstances which made the home unsafe for children, and which, once successfully followed, could result in the return of the children and social work and foster care services being ceased.

Children are offered various services aimed at helping them to work through and diffuse and heal the detrimental effects of abuse and neglect. This includes services that relate to the child’s physical, mental and educational well-being.

Youth who emancipate from DSS care at the age of 18 can apply to their local DSS county office to request Aftercare Services. An Aftercare assessment interview is conducted with the youth in order to determine what services are needed.

The Interstate Compact On The Placement Of Children (ICPC)

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, or ICPC, as it is also known, is statutory law in all 52 member jurisdictions and a binding contract between member jurisdictions. The ICPC was established to ensure uniform legal and administrative procedures govern the interstate placement of children. This means that children who are receiving social work and foster care services receive an appropriate level of care in the new placements when they are moved from state to state in their adoptive or foster care placements.
The Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (AAICPC) was established in 1974. It is made up of members from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The ICPC gives the AAICPC the authority to “promulgate rules and regulations to carry out more effectively the terms and provisions of this compact.”

Social Workers And Foster Care Services

Individuals busy studying for their master’s in social work, or an MSW degree generally choose to specialize in one of a wide range of specialties, one of which is foster care. For those who elect to follow a social work and foster care path, there is a very rewarding albeit challenging career waiting for them. Foster care is crucial to many families in the United States, and a good social worker can literally be the difference between life and death for many youngsters.

There were about approximately 408,400 children in foster care as of September 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The average age of these youths was around 9 years. If you are a social work student and are interested in specializing in foster care, you may benefit from perusing Foster care statistics, which is a document prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Administration for Children and Families also provides various reports on additional foster care statistics, as does AdoptUsKids, who provides information about foster care by state. All of these resources are very helpful to social workers who are interested in specializing in foster care.

Problems That Face Foster Care Children

Most children who are placed in foster care have good experiences, but this is not necessarily so for all who are recipients of social work and foster care services. Many children who are fostered experience teenage pregnancy, depression and even incarceration because they get into trouble with the law. In addition to problems that they may face whilst under the care of DSS and in a foster home, once they are emancipated at the age of 18 they often experience a sense of abandonment.

Social workers who intend working in foster-care should be aware of the following issues facing foster children in order to understand the work:
Lack of Educational Opportunities: According to the Heritage Foundation, children in foster care are more likely to be incarcerated, live in poverty, rely on state services, and run afoul of the law. The Foundation suggests that foster care children need to be given more educational opportunities that prepare them for college as well as additional financial support such as scholarships to enable them to study further and improve their chances in life.

Developmental Issues: According to research by the American Academy of Pediatrics, more children in foster suffer from serious developmental, physical, or mental problems than those in regular families. This could make the work of a social worker more difficult dealing with these cases.

Depression: It is not uncommon for foster children to suffer from debilitating depression, as they feel the loss of not having their biological parents in their lives, no matter the circumstances at home. This can lead to various mental and emotional difficulties.

“Aging Out” of the System: According to the National Association of Social Workers, a documentary by social worker Matt Anderson reveals many problems experienced by youth who “age out” of the system, or who are eligible to leave the foster care system when they turn 18. Most of these youth are destined to become pregnant, get into trouble with authorities or face depression due to a lack of family support, and many end up homeless.

Foster Care Helpline

Any youth that are in need of social work and foster care services can contact the Foster Care Helpline on 1-888-722-2580. The Helpline was established to answer calls from children and youth in foster care 24/7.

Social work and foster care is a wonderful career for those who love children and wish to help improve the lives, their day-to-day circumstances, and offer them a future that has the potential of allowing them to break the cycle of poverty, inadequate education and look forward to a bright future.

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The International Federation of Social Workers has been granted Special Consultative Status by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. It also works with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

A Short History Of IFSW

The International Federation of Social Workers can trace its beginning back to the early part of the last century when, at the First International Conference on Social Work held in Paris in 1928, an agreement was reached to form an International Association of Social Workers. The Second International Conference on Social Work held in Frankfurt in 1932 saw the provisional statutes of the International Permanent Secretariat of Social Workers (IPSSW) agreed upon by the eight founding members: Germany, France, Sweden, Great Britain, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland and the United States. IPSSW was originally based in Berlin.

An agreement to form a new body was reached at the Fifth International Conference on Social Work held in Paris in 1950, provided that 7 national bodies became members; this was achieved in 1956 when the International Federation of Social Workers was formed in Munich. A new Secretariat, which shared offices with the National Association of Social Workers, was formed in New York.

Further highlights were:

• 1958 – IFSW and its partners published the journal International Social Work
• 1959 – IFSW was granted consultative status with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• 1960 – IFSW’s policy role was expanded after a Special Session at the 10th World Conference in Rome
• 1970 – South Africa’s membership was revoked due to its participation in the Apartheid regime
• 1985 – IFSW was declared a “Peace Messenger” by the United Nations
• 1990s – Membership was expanded to include more than 80 member associations
• 2000 – IFSW developed a training manual, Social Work and the Rights of the Child
• 2001 – The global Definition of Social Work was adopted in 2001, in co-operation with the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW)
• 2004 – The Statement of Ethics in Social Work, the Global Standards for the Education and Training of the Social Work Profession, and the Statement of Principles were published
• 2005 – IFSW consultative status was extended to UN Habitat
• 2010 – IFSW launched the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development at a joint conference with the International Council on Social Welfare and the International Association of Schools of Social Work

IFSW Organisational Structure

An international Executive Committee is democratically elected at a General Meeting of members every two years. The committee is made up of a President, Treasurer and Regional President and Member-at-Large for each of the six regions, being Africa, Asia – Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean and North America. The permanent Secretariat, which was established in 1956, is currently based in Switzerland.

International Federation Of Social Workers Partners

Apart from the special consultative status that IFSW has with United Nations Economic and Social Council and its accreditation to the International Labor Organization, UNICEF, the Council of Europe and the European Union, it also has many other partners:

• Amnesty International
• CONGO (The Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the UN)
• The Commonwealth Organisation for Social Work (COSW)
• The Council of Europe
• ENSACT
• European Union
• IASSW (International Association of Schools of Social Work)
• ICSW (International Council on Social Welfare)
• Public services international
• UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, NGO Section
• UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)
• United Nations
• World Health Organisation

Statement Of Ethical Principles

Ethical awareness is fundamental to the practice of social work, and the commitment to act ethically an essential aspect of the quality of services offered. The IASSW and the International Federation of Social Workers promote ethical debate and reflection in the member organisations, in the schools of social work, among the providers of social work in member countries, and among social work students. Some of the ethical problems and challenges that face social workers are endemic to specific countries, and others are common. The joint IASSW and IFSW statement seeks to encourage social workers across the globe to reflect on the dilemmas and challenges with which they are faced in order to make ethically informed decisions as to how to act in each particular case

Some of the problem areas include:

• Social workers function as both controllers and helpers
• Social workers are often conflicted between societal demands for efficiency and utility and their duty to protect the interests of the people with whom they work
• Resources in society are often very limited
• The loyalty of social workers is often in the middle of conflicting interests

The Statement of Ethical Principles uses the definition of social work adopted separately by IASSW and the International Federation of Social Workers and agreed upon in 2001. This definition stresses principles of human rights and social justice. The document makes reference to the various declarations and conventions on human rights that are relevant to social work, a statement of general ethical principles under the two broad headings of human rights and dignity and social justice, and some basic guidance on ethical conduct in social work.

The Statement of Ethical Principles covers the recognition of rights that are accepted by the global community and documents that are particularly relevant to social work practice:

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• The International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights
• The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination
• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
• The Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (ILO convention 169)

The Statement also covers:

Human Rights and Human Dignity
Social work is based on respect for the dignity and constitutional worth of all people, and the rights that follow from this. It is the duty of social workers to uphold and defend every individual’s physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual integrity and well-being. This means that social workers must:

• Respect the right to self-determination
• Promote the right to participation
• Treat each person as a whole
• Identify and develop strengths

Social Justice

Social workers have a responsibility to promote social justice in relation to the people with whom they work as well as in relation to society generally, which means:

• Challenging negative discrimination
• Recognising diversity
• Distributing resources equitably
• Challenging unjust policies and practices
• Working in solidarity

Professional Conduct

The national organisations who are members of IASSW and the International Federation of Social Workers have a responsibility to develop and regularly update their own ethical guidelines so that they reflect those contained in the IFSW/ IASSW statement. National organizations must inform schools of social work and social workers about these codes or guidelines.

It is incumbent upon social workers to act in accordance with the ethical code or guidelines current in their country, as they generally detail guidance in ethical practice specific to the national context. The Statement does, however give general guidelines covering what social workers should and should not do, which can be used as a template from which to work locally.

IFSW Membership

Full Membership

The International Federation of Social Workers offers full membership to professional organizations that represent social workers at a country-wide level. This type of membership gives the organization influence over international social work policies and directions.

Members in this category of IFSW receive:

Advocacy for the promotion of social justice or social work on the members’ behalf, in their own country and/or region, internationally and/or within the United Nations

• An active culture of sharing and learning across regions, nations, and the world
• A news service that is relevant to social work
• Access to international advertising of social work jobs
• Links with other IFSW members to improve regional networks and practice based networks
• Participation in both regional and global conferences
• Resources and a dedicated International Social Work Journal
• Support for members’ campaigns for social work and social justice outcomes

Friends Of IFSW

Anyone that wishes to show their support for the International Federation of Social Workers may join as a Friend of IFSW.

Friends of IFSW receive:

• Access to learning, sharing, and cooperative networks
• Advance access to all publications at a reduced cost
• Discounted registration fees for conferences
• Exclusive access to international social work jobs
• The IFSW Friend Pin and a certificate of your ‘Friends Status’ membership
• The opportunity to participate in and/or create social work or social justice campaigns

Contact Details

Address International Federation of Social Workers
PO Box 6875
Schwarztorstrasse 22
CH-3001
Berne
Switzerland
Telephone (41) 22 548 36 25
Fax (41) 22 5181037
General enquiries global@ifsw.org

Technical support online@ifsw.org

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Unfortunately, although the church had the best of intentions, their offerings were in the form of charity, which was seen to be a sign of piety, via various forms of direct relief, such as money, clothing, food and other material goods, instead of trying to attempt the root cause of poverty. This of course meant that although the poor received help for what they needed from day to day, they could never get out of the cycle of poverty, and it was not until 19th century that the history of social work as we know it began in earnest.

People Making Contributions

Elizabeth Gurney Fry

When looking at the history of social work, we will find that the first person to make significant contributions in attempting to change things was Elizabeth Gurney Fry (1780-1845), also known as `the angel of the prisons`, with the work she did in attempting to reform the British prison system. Betsy Gurney was a Quaker from a rather well-off family, and the Quakers had strong ideals about equality and peace. They were active in a range of philanthropic projects, including being amongst the early opponents of the slave trade. Betsy began her good work at an early age, when, at the age of 17 she set up a primary school for poor children in her own home. She took care of lonely and sick neighbors  and in 1813 started campaigning for prisoners rights, upon seeing the dire conditions in which women and children were imprisoned. Many of the reforms that Elizabeth Fry campaigned for were incorporated into British law in 1823 and she has been honored in various ways, including having a building named after her at the School of Social Work at Stanford University.

Thomas Chalmers

The next important figure in the history of social work was Thomas Chalmers, a Presbyterian preacher and an assistant to a professor at St Andrews, Scotland’s first university. He was ordained as minister the parish of Kilmany in 1803, and moved to Glasgow where he became minister of the Tron Church in 1815, where after he became minister of the church and parish of St John. Chalmers believed in helping the poor to help themselves and strongly dissuaded the poor in his parish to rely on public assistance. Chalmers found that this type of help dissuaded individuals from finding work and becoming self-dependent; he favored local solidarity and mutual support in the neighborhoods. He felt that with support and feeling that they were included in the community the poor could work and be modest while enlarging their own responsibility. He divided his parish into several districts and linked a deacon to each one of them whose duty it was to make frequent home visits, establish a friendly relationship with the poor and monitor their complete home situation, vis a viz material context, friendships, family ties, etc. as a basis for care and support. He also organized decent primary education for children, and weekend schools where they could receive additional secular and religious education. By doing this he helped the poor to help themselves, and his concepts were taken up by many, including Charles Loch who established the English Charity Organization Society, and Joseph Tuckermann who founded the Boston Society for the Prevention of Pauperism, 1835. His concepts are still very relevant to social work today.

Octavia Hill

The next individual who played an important part in the history of social work was Octavia Hill, a teacher and artist, who began her work amongst the poor of London in 1864, in what is now known as the borough of Marylebone, one of the most expensive places to live today. Hill’s focus was the home, as she firmly believed that no matter how small a home was, if it was well-maintained and light and airy and the person had neighbors that cared, it would make a huge difference in their lives. From housing she also branched out into creating gardens and playgrounds for the children, and even built a small clubhouse behind her own house in which she hosted weekend activities for women, children, and older people. Hill used money from the art critic John Ruskin to buy three houses in what is now central London, which she rented out, collecting the rent herself and discussing tenants’ problems with them. These housing projects became an attractive investment, and eventually other women were trained to undertake a similar role to Hill’s, enabling them to act as social workers. Octavia Hill is significant in the history of social work because she rejected charitable alms, electing instead to provide help without charity. This approach was designed to strengthen the self respect of tenants and to allow them to trust in their own capabilities, which is what we call empowerment and resilience today. Hill was a founding member of the Charity Organization Society set up in 1869. She also began to campaign to protect the natural environment in and around London in 1875, and helped found the National Trust in 1894, which still plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of parks, stately homes, and landscape in the UK.

Arnold Toynbee

Arnold Toynbee is another name that features in the history of social work for his proposed schemes for ‘university extension’, whereby students in deprived communities could apply and ‘extend’ their course material through volunteer work. This model received plenty of support in the colleges of Cambridge and Oxford, and it gained international recognition. Toynbee’s ideological ally, the Anglican priest Samuel Barnett, labelled it Practical Socialism, and after Toynbee’s early death in his twenties, he continued to promote the concept through the establishment of university settlements. These settlements provided these students with the opportunity to work to enhance the living conditions of the poor and also live among them for at least a year, with the aim of strengthening the links between scholars and the residents of urban slums, and achieving improved results in terms of mutual learning and social improvement. The philanthropist Charles Booth lived in Toynbee Hall whilst he worked on Life and Labor of the People in London, a study that mapped poverty in London at the end of the 19th century and influenced both social research and the fight against poverty for many decades thereafter.

Jane Addams

Jane Addams is an important name in the history of social work for her settlement work in North America in 1889. Another Quaker, Addams was inspired by her visit to Toynbee Hall to develop a similar initiative in Chicago. She started Hull House with her friend Ellen Starr, in Near West Side, a neighborhood with many European immigrants, which rapidly developed into an action center with education for adults, room for children, culture and a focus on social progress. Addams was also famous for engaging in political action aimed at establishing new laws to protect the poor. She assembled a group of strong, committed young women who became the female face of the democratization movement in the Progressive Era and professionalized the contribution of women in social work. Julia Lathrop and Florence Kelley, amongst others, reported on the effects of concentration of different ethnicities and their living conditions, about child labor and also about labor circumstances in the sweatshops. Their approach of ‘mapping’ contributed to the emergence of the famous Chicago school in urban sociology with key figures like George Robert E. Park and Herbert Mead. Addams succeeded in establishing a specific basis for American Social Work, which raised international interest, and Julia Lathrop later became the first director of the Children’s Federal Bureau (1912).

Joseph Rowntree

Rowntree is another name that should be remembered as part of the history of social work, even though the surname is more commonly known with regards to chocolate products such as Smarties or Kit Kat before their company was taken over by Nestle. Joseph Rowntree was also a Quaker, and was deeply concerned about the social problems of his time and became an active philanthropist committed to social reform. Rowntree’s main goal was to eradicate poverty and the other social evils, and he transferred his wealth in three trusts in 1904, which are still independently working towards reaching his goals. One of them, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, does many research projects which inspires social work in the UK and elsewhere. Seebohm Rowntree, Joseph’s son, initiated a house to house survey of York which he published in as Poverty, a study of town life in 1901, and various other studies.

Mary Ellen Richmond

Mary Ellen Richmond is another important name in the history of social work, and is known as “the founding mother of social casework.” She wrote a book called Social Diagnosis in 1917, which constructed the foundations for the scientific methodology development of professional social work. She dedicated her life to the modernizing and professionalizing of care for the poor from 1889 onwards, starting her career at the Charity Organisation Society in Baltimore, which was a US branch of the organisation Octavia Hill established in the UK. She was director of the charity department of the Russell Sage Foundation in New York, an influential fund supporting social science research, from 1909 until her death. Richmond systematically developed the content and methodology of diagnosis in the period around 1910, developing what she termed ‘social diagnosis,’ using her famous circle diagram which visualized the correspondence between client and environment. She identified six sources of power within the household, in the person of the client, in the neighborhood and wider social network, in civil agencies, and in private and public agencies that are available to clients and their social workers. Richmond gave social work clients a voice for the first time, opening up a new and fruitful area of social research which is still a cornerstone of social work today.

Alice Salomon

Throughout the history of social work there are other individuals such as Alice Salomon, a key figure in the development of social work in Europe in the first half of the twentieth century; Orwell, Griffin and others wrote various accounts of poverty and injustice; Robert Holbrook and Bill Wilson who started Alcoholics Anonymous; William Henry Beveridge, the architect of the welfare state; Carl Rogers, responsible for the earliest forms of humanistic psychology and person-centered therapy; Jane Jacobs, an urban visionary; Erving Goffman, known for his concept of total institutions; Sherry Arnstein, who published the article: A ladder of citizen participation for which she is still remembered and respected; Michael Lipsky for his concepts of street level bureaucracy and discretionary power; Paulo Freire for his approach known as conscientization which means ” the ways in which individuals and communities develop a critical understanding of their social reality through reflection and action.”

Ann Hartman

Others who form part of the history of social work are Joel Fischer, who argued that “The issue of effectiveness of practice always must be of paramount concern to the profession and cannot be brushed aside”; Ann Hartman who began her career in 1959 as a caseworker for the Summit County Child Welfare Board in Akron, Ohio and worked as a social work researcher and educator at the University of Michigan faculty after completing her PhD. She made two related contributions to social work that still influence today’s practice: the introduction of the ecomap or ecogram, and the genogram as simple drawing techniques that enable social workers to depict social and family relationships, and the second being the fact that the focus of clinical practice should not be solely on the client but should also include his or her social network.

Ida Maude Cannon

In the more modern history of social work, Dr. Richard Cabot, a senior physician at Mass General, hired the first social worker in 1905 to provide social work services in the outpatient clinics, and hired Ida Maude Cannon to jointly organize the nation’s first hospital-based social work program. Ms. Cannon was named Chief of the Mass General Social Service Department, the first organized social work department in a hospital, in 1914, and the social work program was further developed under her tenure.

Each one of the aforementioned individuals and many that came after them all contributed to what we know as social work today; each of them brought their own insight and research to the table, informed by their own experiences and building on what had come before. From churches, to philanthropists, to missionaries and volunteers, to government departments and state boards, all of them played a part in the history of social work, and many of them still do.

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Aims Of The Council

According to the organization’s website, these are its aims:

• Maintaining and publishing a public register of properly qualified members of the professions

• Approving and upholding high standards of education and training, and continuing good practice

• Investigating complaints and taking appropriate action

• Working in partnership with the public, and a range of other groups including professional bodies

• Promoting awareness and understanding of the aims of the Council

In addition to these aims there are 5 basic values that the council holds, including transparency in all of their dealings, collaboration between themselves and all other relevant parties that need to be involved, responsiveness to the needs and wants of shareholders and registrars, a promise that they will provide value for money to all concerned, and last but not least the promise that high quality services will be provided at all times.

Who Does The Health And Care Professions Council Regulate?

The Health and Care Professions Council regulates the following professionals:

• Arts therapists
• Biomedical scientists
• Chiropodists/podiatrists
• Clinical scientists
• Dietitians
• Hearing aid dispensers
• Occupational therapists
• Operating department practitioners
• Orthoptists
• Paramedics
• Physiotherapists
• Practitioner psychologists
• Prosthetics/orthotics
• Radiographers
• Social workers in England
• Speech and language therapists

There are a few important things to note in relation to this. For one thing it is against the law for anyone to claim that they are registered with the council within the UK if they are not in fact registered. This could lead to serious legal ramifications should the person be caught. In addition you will be unable to use one of the protected titles listed here if you are not, in fact, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Consequently, in order to practice as a professional in one of the above disciplines, you must become a member of the organization.

Approved Programs

In order to become registered with the council you must have completed one of the programs that the council approves in your specific discipline. On the council’s website you can find a list of approved programs. The list is long and extremely comprehensive and is the best way through which potential registrants can find out if they are eligible to register. In addition the program providers are able to use the council’s website to inform the council regarding any major changes in their program so that the council can reapprove the program. For comprehensive information regarding programs, please visit this site.

Application

Because it is possible for international as well as domestic professionals to apply for registration with the council, there are a number of different routes that you can take to become registered. There are basically 4 different routes through which you can apply for membership with the council. Read through the following and determine which applies most to you:

• The first route is for anyone who has completed a training program within the UK and has met all of the program and country requirements accordingly. In order to apply for registration with the council you must take this route. Information regarding this course of action can be found here.

• There are also several professionals who were once on the register but who have since been removed for various reasons, perhaps due to inactivity as a health care professional. If this is the situation that you find yourself in, you will need to apply for readmission to the register. This can be done by going to this website and following the directions and using the information provided.

• For professionals who have studied in foreign countries who would like to begin practicing within the borders of the United Kingdom, a different route must be taken. Consequently on the council’s website there is a page for international applicants. This can be found by going to http://www.hpc-uk.org/apply/international/ and following the steps provided.

• For international individuals established elsewhere in the EEA as well as in Switzerland and who would like to practice within the UK on a temporary or part-time basis, the “Temporary provisions of services” application must be filled out. This can be found by going to this website and following the steps provided. This temporary registration is generally available for only 1 year, but it is easy enough to renew once you have received the initial registration. This is useful for professionals who only plan to live in the area for a short period of time, but who would like to work while they are there.

Consequently this is an organization that is open to professionals from a variety of different countries, although there will be fairly stringent educational as well as other requirements that you may be required to meet before you will, in fact, be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council of the UK. If you meet all of the previously mentioned requirements you will be able to practice within the UK within the health care profession that you have studied.

The Council

The council itself is a small organization consisting of only 20 members (which includes the chair itself). In addition to this there are various committees falling under the domain of the council and which report to the council on various matters.

Meeting The Council’s Standards

As a member of the council it is extremely important that you know what is expected of you and what the standards are. If you fail to meet the standards you may be stopped from practicing in your capacity as a health care professional. Consequently it is exceedingly important that you take the time to report any grievances that you may experience in the course of your work in order to ensure that the council is fully equipped to meet the needs of everyone.

The Health and Care Professions Council is dedicated to ensuring that the best service is provided to its stakeholders as well as to its registrants. This includes taking any feedback offered by their registrants very seriously. Consequently it is on your best interests to make your grievances known.

Contact Details

The contact details of the Health and Care Professions Council are as follows:

Renewals, applications, CPD queries, fees, online account activation or general queries:
Registration Department
Tel: 44 (0)845 300 4472*
Fax: 44 (0)20 7840 9801
Email: registration@hcpc-uk.org

For all other queries (office hours are 8am to 6pm):
Main switchboard
Tel.: 44 (0)845 300 6184*
Fax: 44 (0)20 7820 9684

Postal address:
Health and Care Professions Council,
Park House, 184 Kennington Park Road,
London, SE11 4BU

Other Regulators

There are other regulating bodies that you may also need to be registered with in order to work as a healthcare professional in the UK. These are:

The General Chiropractic Council (GCC)
Regulates: Chiropractors
Tel: 020 7713 5155
Website: www.gcc-uk.org

The General Dental Council (GDC)
Regulates: Dentists, dental therapists, dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, and orthodontic therapists
Tel: 020 7887 3800.
Website: www.gdc-uk.org

The General Medical Council (GMC)
Regulates: Doctors
Tel: 0845 357 8001
Website: www.gmc-uk.org

The General Optical Council (GOC)
Regulates: Dispensing opticians and optometrists
Tel: 020 7580 3898
Website: www.optical.org

The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC)
Regulates: Osteopaths
Tel: 020 7357 6655
Website: www.osteopathy.org.uk

The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Regulates: Arts therapists, Biomedical Scientists, Chiropodists/ Podiatrists, Clinical Scientists, Dieticians, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Occupational Therapists, Operating Department Practitioners, Orthoptists, Paramedics, Physiotherapists, Practitioner Psychologists, Prosthetics and Orthotists, Radiographers, Social workers in England and Speech and Language Therapists
Tel: 44 (0)845 300 6184
Website: www.hcpc-uk.org

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Regulates: Nurses, midwives, and specialist community public health nurses
Tel: 020 7333 6622
Website: www.nmc-uk.org

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Regulates: pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy premises
Tel: 020 3365 3400
Website: www.pharmacyregulation.org/

Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
Regulates: Pharmacists and pharmacy premises in Northern Ireland
Tel: 028 9032 6927
Website: www.psni.org.uk

Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)
Regulates the social care workforce (Northern Ireland only)
Tel: 028 9041 7600
Website: www.niscc.info

Care Council for Wales (CCW)
Social care workforce regulator (Wales only)
Tel: 029 2022 6257
Website: www.ccwales.org.uk

Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
Responsible for registering people who work in social services (Scotland only)
Tel: 0845 60 30 891
Website: www.sssc.uk.com

The Health and Care Professions Council is an essential organization with which to be registered as a healthcare professional in the UK. Not only is it a legal requirement, it is also a way through which you may find opportunities for expanding your career options and finding new ways forward. Registrants have access to a number of different services as well as other resources that can help them in their job. If you are considering a career in the UK in one of the professions regulated by the council, knowledge regarding the Health and Care Professions Council is an essential tool.

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About The Australian Association Of Social Workers

As the professional body that regulates social workers in Australia, the Australian Association of Social Workers is an extremely important force in the social work industry in this country. At present it has around 7000 members who are based all across Australia. The Australian Association of Social Workers has been in existence for no less than 65 years, having been founded in 1947. According to the association’s website the following can be said for the AASW: with its “nine branches and vibrant community of national committees and practice groups, further supporting the work of the Association, the AASW aims to cater for the professional needs and interests of the growing membership base with their varied working fields, employment and locations”. For social workers working within Australia, it is almost essential to belong to this association as it is extremely difficult to advance your career and in many cases even to seek employment in the sectors that you would prefer if you do not have membership with the AASW.

Mission Of The Australian Association Of Social Workers

The mission of the AASW is quite clearly stated in more than one location of its website. They aim to:

• Promote the profession of social work – this involves ensuring that the profession is kept alive and that it is awarded the respect within the professional community that it deserves.

• Establish, monitor and improve practice and ethical standards.

• Contribute to the development of social work knowledge and research.

• Develop, review and accredit the education standards for social workers – this is a primary responsibility of the association and results in the maintenance of high standards within the industry of social work within Australia’s borders.

• Advocate for the pursuit of social justice and changes to social structures and policies in order to promote social inclusion and redress social disadvantage.

• Promote and facilitate members’ professional development and life-long learning.

• Represent and advocate for the interests of members as a group – without the input of associations such as these the voices of social workers would go unheard.

Membership With The Australian Association Of Social Workers

To be eligible for membership you must:

• Have an AASW approved social work qualification from an Australian tertiary institution, or
• Have qualifications from overseas that have been recognized by the AASW

Applying for membership can be done online or by downloading the application form, filling it in, and posting it. In addition you can apply telephonically by calling 1800 630 124.

There are a number of benefits offered by the AASW. For example, if you earn an income that is below a low income threshold ($40,000.00) you will be allowed to maintain your membership with the association at a reduced fee. This will not affect the rights that you have as a member or the services that you will have access to through the AASW. In addition you can also receive a reduced membership fee for a time if you are a new graduate, which includes anyone who graduated within the last three years. Discounts are also available for social workers who are fully retired from the profession.

Summary

Representatives

The main purpose of an organization such as this one is to adequately represent its members and the sector of the professional world that it focuses on in such a way that all needs are met adequately. There are a number of features that are characteristic of this organization that are worth noting:

• The AASW is an incorporated organization
• The AASW has 7,000 members
• The AASW has a constitution
• The AASW is comprised of elected board members and judicial councils
• The AASW conducts social work public recognition programs
• The AASW conducts professional research
• The AASW conducts social worker education development

Although it is the main representative body in Australia, it is not the only one that social worker can turn to. For example there is also the AIWCW which is an Australian organization that represents the interests of welfare and community workers at both state and national levels. Through this organization members come from commercial and industrial sectors, government units, non-government social welfare agencies and other social groups.

Background

There are a number of codes and ethical norms that the Australian Association of Social Workers adheres to. These codes are useful in the following:

• Ethical decision-making
• Legal dispute clarification
• Evaluation of complaints against a social worker’s conduct

Associations such as this one are required to have a code of ethics by which they operate. This code of ethics is there for the protection of the association. However it also serves a very important function for the special workers who belong to the association in that it protects them in legal disputes and ensures that they are well informed regarding their ethical duties. In addition this code of ethics serves a protective function for the patients and clients of social workers as they will be able to complain through relevant channels in cases where they believe the conduct of a social worker to be unethical. It protects them from any harm that may be caused if a social worker engages in malpractice.

Values And Principles

The following are the basic ideas contained in the Australian Association of Social Workers’ code of ethics:

• There is a strong focus on human dignity
• There is a strong focus on dealing with social injustice and the problems that arise from it
• There is a strong focus on integrity
• There is a strong focus on work competence
• Service to humanity
• The code supports the right of social workers to optimize their potential in the field regardless of their background
• The code require social workers to safeguard and promote human value and potentials

As you can see form these basic idea the association aims to safeguard the reputation of the entire profession of social work while at the same time ensuring that the best interests of both the social workers who belong to it as well as the clients that those social workers serve are also protected. Governing associations such as this one therefore serve very important roles and functions in terms of professionalism.

Responsibilities To Clients

In terms of their responsibility to their clients, social workers need to keep the following basic things in mind:

• Social workers must prioritize their client’s best interests.

• Social workers must treat clients with respect.

• Social workers must protect the privacy of their clients.

• Social workers must accept that their actions and decisions are accountable to their employers and clients.

• Social workers must keep confidential any information with regard to the client and related social assistance.

• Social workers must remain unbiased and accurate in making and sharing client reports to other concerned agencies.

Other Responsibilities

In addition there are other responsibilities that social workers must also be sure to fulfill:

• Social workers must share their knowledge and support

• Social workers must respect their colleagues’ abilities

• Social workers should address issues and concerns regarding their colleagues’ unprofessional conduct

• Social workers must refer unresolved concerns to proper ethical bodies

• Social workers should strive to meet the objectives of their employing organization

• Social workers must not exploit the employer’s resources

• Social workers must use appropriate consultation channels to resolve issues and misunderstandings

The main function of the Australian Association of Social Workers is to ensure that social workers are able to follow the above guidelines. A big part of this involves educating social workers on the ethical aspect of their job as well as making it clear why those ethical structures are in place. The Australian Association of Social Workers also serves as a place where social workers in Australia can find information regarding what the ethical curse of action may be in cases where they are uncertain about how to move forward with a particular aspect of their job.

For social workers based in Australia membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers is one of the best career moves they could make, especially when the benefits of belonging to the association are taken carefully into consideration. In addition you will have the opportunity to become actively involved in the management structure within the association if you have the right drive and meet the necessary requirements which will allow you to market yourself as someone with management and leadership skills. The number f ways in which an association like this can benefit your career are many.

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What Is The Association Of Oncology Social Work?

According to the association’s website:

“The Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) is a non-profit, international, 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to the enhancement of psychosocial services to people with cancer and their families. Created in 1984 by social workers interested in oncology and by existing national cancer organizations, we have over 1000 current members who embrace the AOSW Mission “to advance excellence in the psychosocial care of persons with cancer, their families, and caregivers through networking, education, advocacy, research and resource development.”

The association offers many of those all-important continuing education opportunities that you will need to make use of throughout your career.

• AOSW Annual Conference
• Oncology Social Work Specialty Certification
• Other Conferences & Programs

The association prides itself on providing the following to its members:

• Advocacy
• Education
• Networking opportunities
• Research, and
• Resources

Like most associations for most disciplines, the primary aim of the Association of Oncology Social Work is to ensure that the social workers in its care as well as the patients of those social workers are adequately cared for at all levels and that professionalism is maintained. There is more to associations such as these than meets the eye. If you are a member of the association you will not only have the opportunity to play an active role in bringing about reform in your discipline but you will also have access to a number of educational and networking opportunities, as well as other resources, that may be invaluable in terms of helping you to advance your career in the field. Being a member of an association such as this one is incredibly sensible and will serve you well in the long run.

Mission, Vision And Goals

According to their website the following are the mission and vision of the association:

Mission Statement of the Association of Oncology Social Work:

“To advance excellence in the psychosocial care of persons with cancer, their families, and caregivers through:

• Networking
• Education
• Advocacy
• Research
• Resource Development”

As you can see here, the primary aim of the association is to ensure that those people and their families suffering from cancer are cared for adequately and that all dimensions of their needs are appropriately addressed.

Vision Statement of the Association of Oncology Social Work:

“AOSW envisions a global society in which oncology care meets the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of all people affected by cancer”.

In addition the association also has a number of goals that it strives to meet. Firstly it aims to increase awareness regarding the psychosocial effects of cancer. In addition there is a strong focus on furthering the study of the psychological and social effects of cancer through research and continuing education endeavors. Thirdly the association aims at advocating for programs and policies that are designed to meet the psychosocial needs of oncology patients and their families. As interdisciplinary cooperation is of such importance in this line of work, the association also promotes liaison activities with other psychosocial oncology groups and professional oncology organizations. Perhaps one of the most important goals of the organization is that it aims to advance the practice of psychosocial interventions that enhance quality of life and recovery of persons with cancer and their families as well as to foster communication and support among psychosocial oncology caregivers. Last but not least the organization has a strong focus on promoting the highest professional standards and ethics in the practice of oncology social work.

How To Be A Member: Rates

There are three options open to you when it comes to applying for membership through the Association of Oncology Social work:

• You can fill in an application online which is the fastest way to apply.

• You can download the PDF version of the application form, fill it in, and then post it to the association.

• Last but not least you can put in a request to have a hardcopy of the application mailed to you through the US postal service.

Becoming a member with an association such as this will always involve a fee. If you are a full member you can expect to pay a membership rate of $150 USD, if you are an associate you can expect to pay a membership rate of $150 USD, and if you are retired you can expect to pay a membership rate of $120 USD. Full-time students and post graduates will pay about $90 USD but there are certain rules involved in this regard. If you are a student you must be enrolled full-time in an accredited social work degree program. A copy of your current student identification [showing full-time status] or diploma [showing graduation date] must be presented with your membership application. Eligibility for the BSW and/or MSW student category is limited to full-time students and for 1 consecutive year post graduation. Friends can also join at a fee of $90.

Benefits Of Membership With The Association Of Oncology Social Work

There are certainly a number of excellent benefits involved in belonging to this association.

General membership benefits:

One of the main general member benefits you will be able to make use of is the fact that you will have easy access to AOSW’s journal, the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, and quarterly Newsletters. This is the resources dimension of the many benefits you can gain by joining this association. In addition you will pay a reduced registration rate at the AOSW annual conference and you will have access to the Member’s Only Section of the AOSW website which also contains many excellent resources to aid you in your job or studies. Other resources that all members receive include access to AOSW publications such as the Standards of Practice for Oncology Social Work, the Bone Marrow Transplant Special Interest Group Directory, and the Social Work Oncology Research Kit for the Oncology Social Worker.

In addition to simply providing you with resources for your own interest and benefit, the
association also provides national and regional educational opportunities. You may also find that you are eligible for membership in AOSW Special Interest Groups.

One of the main advantages that many members enjoy is that they are provided with networking opportunities on a local, national and international level to share professional expertise and knowledge in the field, in addition to which they receive opportunities to impact patient care management and public policy as it relates to oncology social work on a national level.

Additional benefits if you are a social worker:

According to the website of the association, which can be found at this site  you can benefit from the following if you are member and a social worker:

• General Member Benefits
• Voting Privileges
• POWER Directory free membership
• Access to SWON, the newsgroup and email network of the AOSW
• Opportunity to actively serve on AOSW Board and committees

There are also a number of additional benefits for those who are not social workers. Patient navigators and non-social worker professionals can benefit from the following:

• General Member Benefits listed above PLUS
• Access to SWON, the newsgroup and email network of the AOSW

There are more reasons to belong to the Association of Oncology Social Work than to avoid membership. In many cases belonging to a well known association such as this can improve your chances of employment as it looks good on your resume. Many employers and states require you to belong to a social working association of some description, and choosing one which covers the line of social work in which you specialize is the most sensible decision to make on this front. The least that you can do is make a few enquiries into the Association of Oncology Social Work.

To find out more about the Association of Oncology Social Work:

The AOSW home office
AOSW
100 North 20th St., Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Telephone
(215) 599-6093

Fax
(215) 564-2175

For general questions or comments
info@aosw.org

For any member related questions or comments
memberservices@aosw.org

The post About The Association Of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

The United States Army employs thousands of individuals as counselors, psychologists, social workers, and various other social assistance staff members. A military social worker works with active military personnel, veterans and military families. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or a related field is required for most of these positions.

Requirements To Become A Military Social Worker

The military employs one of the largest workforces in the United States, and these individuals are constantly put into highly dangerous and stressful situations by the nature of their employment. This often requires the services of a military social worker, who need to have a high degree of education and experience in counseling, as counseling the armed forces requires utmost professionalism.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for Active Duty employment as a Social Worker in the military, you must meet the following basic requirements:

• You must be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S.

• You must have a Master of social work (MSW) from a graduate school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

• You must be in possession of current licensure/certification as a clinical social worker by the jurisdiction where you will be practicing; licensure/certification must allow the social worker to practice independently.

• You must be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty.

• You must be between the ages of 18 and 41.

• You must be in good physical condition and will be expected to pass a full medical examination.

You may also have to meet certain preferred requirements:

• Experience in mental health (inpatient and outpatient) with knowledge and skills in: diagnosis, evaluation and treatment; family violence, including child and spousal abuse; case management, medical social work, and discharge planning; and developmental delays in children
• Knowledge, skill and ease in working with diverse populations from different cultural backgrounds
• Supervisory program management or other leadership experience

Education and licensing requirements:

The level of services a military social worker must perform require very specific education and licensing requirements:

Master’s Degree

A Master’s Degree with experience in clinical practice, from an education program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, is the minimum requirement for a military social worker. This is to ensure that the social worker is eminently qualified and able to efficiently and effectively deal with the various types of situations that could arise when counseling soldiers.

Unrestricted License In Social Work

In order to work as a military social worker an individual must be in possession of an unrestricted state license in social work. This requirement ensures that the individual has met all minimal requirements and has the skill-set required in order to work in an environment such as the military. A state licence can be acquired by an individual who is at least 21 years of age, has a master’s degree with at least 12 semester-hours of clinical coursework, is of good moral character, has three years’ experience of supervised diagnosis-based treatment planning, meets exam requirements and has completed all coursework.

Doctoral Level

Individuals who possess a doctorate-level degree will have a specific area of expertise within their field of social work, and are very welcome in the military, where they will be appointed at the rank of Captain. They will be utilized to supervise various counseling options for military officers with specific clinical needs.

Duties Of A Military Social Worker

The precise duties that a military social worker performs will depend on in which department of the armed forces they are employed. There are specialist programs, drug abuse problems, domestic problems, and many other issues that need to be attended to and the military social worker job description requires social workers to utilize their entire range of training to work with individuals, families and groups.

Working as a clinical professional in the Armed Forces will afford you the opportunity of working with individuals on a one-on-one basis and in group settings. The position of the military social worker is one that is growing very fast due to the need for this kind of help for the enlisted members and their dependents. These individuals not only face the same life situations as individuals in civilian life, but they also face long separations which can lead to intense stress and heightened emotional circumstances.

As a social work officer, you will work in collaboration with other health care professionals to deliver professional social work services in a military environment, to support the efficiency, morale and mental health of the military personnel. Military personnel deal with normal stresses everyone deals with, but also have the added stress of frequent moves and separations as a result of service requirements. These additional stresses give rise to social and family circumstances that require complex social work interventions.

General duties that you will perform may include:

• Assisting military officers who are responsible for personnel career matters by investigating and reporting on compassionate situations that the personnel may be facing
• Assisting to resolve compassionate situations that members are faced with to prevent career action being implemented
• Conducting awareness workshops and lead conflict resolution training
• Consulting with and advising Commanding Officers, Commandants, and supervisors on the social circumstances that personnel in their units may be facing
• Providing clinical intervention services directly to Armed Forces members and their family members
• Delivering preventive and rehabilitative programs in the areas of:
  • Family/Domestic violence
  • Pre- and post-deployment stress
  • Suicide intervention
  • Working as part of a team that includes Occupational and Physical Therapists, Developmental Pediatricians, and other professionals in the military

Where Do Military Social Workers Work?

Military and civilian Social Workers (SWs) can be found in multiple settings, and work in the entire spectrum of administrative, clinical, and research SW skills. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW/equivalent) serve as officers, both as full-time employees in the Active Component (AC) and as part-time members in the Reserve Components. Many of the military’s Behavioral Health team consists of civilian and contract LCSWs, who are highly valued members of the BH team.

Select Clinical Practice Areas

• Army Family Advocacy Program (FAP): Providing domestic abuse assessments and treatment to Solders and their Families.

• Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP): Assessing and treating substance abuse of Soldiers (advanced substance abuse credentials are required).

• Behavioral Health (BH) Care: Performing BH treatment both in clinics and in-patient settings for Soldiers and Family members.

• Combat Operational Stress Control Detachments and Brigade Combat Teams: Working on the battlefield and on installations to address stress related issues and brief counseling needs.

• Exceptional Family Member Program Clinics (EFMP): Working with special needs children and their Families.

• Medical Social Work in Military Hospitals: Addressing adjustment to illness issues and coordinating discharge planning needs.

• Patient Centered Medical Home and Community Based Medical Home: providing short-term therapy for Soldiers and Family Members.

• Warrior Transition Units (WTU): Working with Wounded, Ill and Injured Soldiers, known as Warriors in Transition (WT), and their Families, to address the WTs level of risk, behavioral healthcare needs, adjustment to illness, and reintegration to Army or civilian life.

Select Administrative/Research/Command Practice Areas

Military Social Workers (MSWs) establish Army-wide BH policies and address the administration of BH practices at the U.S. Army Medical Command. MSWs are also involved in establishing policies and managing programs that address Family and Soldier support needs at the Army’s Installation Management Command.

There are many research opportunities offered in the military, at the U.S. Army Public Health Command, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, and the Uniformed University of the Health Sciences.

Training/Continuing Education

The U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Center and School and the Fayetteville State University established a partnership in 2008 through which they offer an accelerated Masters of Social Work degree. Army officers, enlisted Soldiers and Army civilians are eligible to apply for admission to this highly competitive program, and further information can be found at www.uncfsu.edu

Other training/continuing education offered:

• Continuing Education (CE) Courses and Conferences: Both Active and Reserve component Social Workers, as well as Army civilian SW employees are eligible to participate in numerous military and civilian Continuing Education programs as party of their service, and the courses will be paid for by the military.

• Long Term Health Education Training (LTHET): An Active Component military social worker may be competitively selected to attend any public university of their choice to complete a Ph.D. in SW in a duty (paid) status.

• Incentives: Civilian social workers that have been specifically recruited for positions in remote locations are eligible for recruiting incentive bonuses and relocation bonuses. Active Component Social Workers can also qualify for professional pay after obtaining the BCD certification.

• Ph.D. / Doctorate of SW Opportunities: Walter Reed Army Medical Center competitively offers an advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship in Child & Family Practice competitively to Active Component (AC) social workers.

• Webinars: There are numerous CE courses offered via the Internet; many of them in conjunction with the Veterans Health Administration and Navy and Air Force colleagues.

Social Work Internship Program (SWIP)

The Social Work Internship Program (SWIP) is an educational bridge between the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Center and School and independent social work practice. This is a formal training program and its mission is to provide the social work intern with structured supervision as they transition from their role as a student to independent provider. It gives the unlicensed active duty social worker a chance to practice within the social work field and allows them to go from theory to practice in a supervised setting.

SWIP helps interns to refine and reinforce the concepts they learned during their MSW program at the AMEDD Center and School, thereby benefitting from learning about social work and military culture while also fostering growth and development in pursuit of independent licensure.

SWIP is held at various Army Medical Treatment Facilities and takes two years to complete. During these two years, the intern will be rotated through a variety of behavioral health practice areas under a site-specific supervisor.

These key practice areas can include:

• Combat Operational Stress Control
• Family Advocacy Program (FAP
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• Marriage and Family
• Medical Social Work
• Mental/Behavioral Health
• Social Work Administration/Career Development

Upon completion of the SWIP, interns will display competency in the above-mentioned areas of practice and thereby fulfil the requirements to practice independently in any state of their choice.

The salary range of the military social worker differs according to qualifications, experience, the branch of the military and various other circumstances, but these can be accessed by contacting the particular branch of the armed forces in which you wish to work as a social worker.

Those in behavioral sciences in the military include clinical psychologists, behavioral sciences social workers, family program directors and suicide prevention managers, who maintain, replenish and strengthen the well-being and functioning of soldiers, their dependents and units within the military community. They often work together to conduct research which is utilized to deal with combat stress, substance abuse, and family advocacy.

Military social workers counsel individually or in groups, in which they gather people together with similar problems, such as those who have just returned from a particularly stressful combat situation and require debriefing and distressing. The SW’s duties may also include suicide prevention, together with the help and input of behavior health staff, chaplains, health promotion officers, commanders and union representatives. Although the work of a military social worker can be stressful, it is one of the most satisfying jobs within both careers, as it services the lives of those that protect us all in this country.

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About Geriatric Social Work

Geriatric social work is social work that is aimed primarily at the elderly demographic of the population. Geriatric social workers are there to ensure that senior citizens are aware of the various programs and organizations in place to help them function as efficiently as possible. The aim is to create a safe and productive environment for the elderly in which they can pursue any goals that they are interested in pursuing. Offering end of life counseling as well as bereavement counseling are also duties that are likely to fall within the realm of the geriatric social worker. To be a social worker you will need a bachelor’s degree but in many cases you will find that a master’s degree will be necessary in order to be employed as a social worker in a certain job. In addition each state has its own certification and licensure rules and laws that you will need to adhere to before you can be registered as a social worker and work as one in your area.

How To Become A Geriatric Social Worker

There are some steps that you can follow on your path to becoming a geriatric social worker:

• Firstly you need a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related discipline form an accredited school that offers a program in social work. In addition to this it is necessary for you to complete internships in facilities where you will have exposure to elderly members of the population.

• Once you have done that you will need to contact the state board of social work for the state in which you wish to be employed. Each state has a different set of rules and regulations for governing its social workers. Find out what the requirements are, such as the number of hours of experience needed, and set out to adhere to them. Apply for licensure or certification.

• Once you have received your licensure you need to pursue employment opportunities in this particular domain of social work. This can be done at nursing homes or retirement villages.

• Working towards an advanced degree in this line of work will significantly increase your employment opportunities and career options.

Geriatric Social Worker Job Description

As a social worker you will perform a number of tasks including:

• Deciding whether elderly individuals require special transportation.
• Deciding whether elderly individuals require the services of home health aides.
• Looking for regular and irregular aging patterns in clients.
• Determining whether a client should visit a doctor.
• Helping family members decide whether an institution would be the best place for an elderly relative.
• Keeping lonely senior citizens company and supporting their involvement in group activities.
• Offering therapy for elderly individuals who are experiencing anxiety or depression.

In order to perform the tasks mentioned above certain skills will be required. Good verbal and interpersonal communication skills are a necessity for any social worker as they will need to communicate effectively with a large variety of people on a daily basis. Not only must these social workers enjoy working with elderly people, but they also need to have a very strong respect for the elderly. If you feel that you do not meet this criterion, consider an alternative line of work. Emotional maturity and compassion are also necessary.

Geriatric Social Worker Certification

State Requirements

Different states have different requirements. Many states require you to hold a master’s degree, although a bachelor’s degree is the norm. In addition you will be required to write an exam. Many states also require you to pass a background check before you can be certified.

National Certification Eligibility

For national certification you must:

• Have a Master of Social Work degree from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

• Have two years of experience working with the elderly with a total of 3,000 hours of experience during those two years.

• Have a total of 20 hours of continuing education related to the care of the elderly prior to your application.

National Certification Exam

This exam, consisting of 170 items, 150 scored questions and 20 unscored, experimental questions, is a requirement for all social workers, although exceptions can be made in states that have their own licensing exams.

National Certification Application And Other Requirements

Requirements for application include:

• Membership with the National Association of Social Workers
• A signed paper agreeing to uphold the NASW’s code of ethics
• An application form
• A form with their supervisor’s signature, verifying that they meet the work history requirements
• A certification fee of $165

Geriatric Social Worker Salary

As a geriatric social worker you can earn about $29,552 – $51,618 a year depending on a variety of factors. If you add the possible bonus you could earn of $0.00 – $2,036 to that the overall amount of money a social worker in this position can earn is about $27,587 – $54,034 a year. There are numerous aspects that can affect your salary. For example, a woman can earn more than a man at a rate of about $33,791 – $47,308 a year in comparison to only $30,521 – $48,605 a year.

The specific industry that you choose to work in as a social worker plays a very big role in terms of your salary. The following are some popular industries as well as the salary range that you could earn working in one of those industries:

• In a Nursing Home you can earn about $28,987 – $59,595 a year
• In a Nursing & Convalescent Home you can earn about $29,569 – $59,741 a year
• In Health Care Services you can earn about $29,312 – $60,198 a year
• In Social Services you can earn about $27,352 – $54,932 a year
• In Home Health Care you can earn about $29,112 – $62,442 a year

Your level of education can also play a role:

• With a General Bachelor’s Degree you can earn about $25,342 – $49,316 a year
• With a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW / BSocW), Social Work (SW) you can earn about $30,964 – $53,582 a year
• With a Master of Social Work (MSW), Social Work (SW) you can earn about $34,388 – $72,359 a year

The most popular cities to work in as a social worker in terms of salary are, New York in New York, Baltimore in Maryland, Cleveland in Ohio, Dallas in Texas, Milwaukee in Wisconsin, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, and Miami in Florida.

Getting The Job

Once you have completed your training it is time to start looking for a job. This is something that, in current economic times, may be easier said than done. However your college or school’s placement office many be able to help you in this regard. In addition it is very important to remember that, the higher your level of education, the more likely you are to find work, which is why it is better to aim for a master’s degree and not settle with a bachelor’s degree in social work. In addition to direct advice like this from your school you can also search the internet as well as your local newspaper for job listings in the area of social work, specifically in facilities where you would be required to work with the elderly. You could also do some cold calling and simply contact facilities in your area that may be able to offer you the kind of job that you are looking for.

Advancement Possibilities And Employment Outlook

There are a number of advancement opportunities available for geriatric social workers who have the right enthusiasm and outlook on life. These include things such as filling:

• Supervisory positions
• Administrative positions

Starting off by running a small program in a small facility could one day result in running a much larger organization where your reach will be more widely felt and you will be able to influence the lives of others both directly and indirectly.

There are two things that affect the employment outlook for geriatric social workers:

• The level of your degree
• The number of elderly people in society

As mentioned previously, the higher the degree is that you have earned, the more likely you are to find employment in this sector of social work. In addition it is easy to see that the baby boom generation is reaching old age at present. This means that there are an increasing number of elderly people in society who need the guidance and support that a geriatric social worker is able to offer to them.

Working Conditions

The working conditions for a geriatric social worker are not bad.

Social workers of this kind are employed in a number of different settings, including:

• Retirement communities
• Nursing homes
• State and government agencies
• Hospices

Often geriatric social workers will not be employed in a fixed location but will rather move from facility t facility depending on where their services and expertise is needed at that particular point in time. The working environment depends to a large degree on the facility where you may work which means that you could work in a modern, well-lighted building one day and an older inner-city facility the next. Being a social worker of any kind will involve working in areas that are less than ideal, but the important thing to remember is that, while you work in these facilities, others have to live in them on a permanent basis. This should help your keep perspective and improve your ability to approach your work in environments such as these with the enthusiasm and positive attitude required to be an effective social worker and to make a significant difference on the lives of other people.

More Information

If you are interested in becoming a geriatric social worker, and if you would like to find out more about the profession, such as what the requirements are and what the employment outlook and specific salary in your area may be, you should contact one of the following:

Association for Gerontology in Higher Education

1030 15th St. NW, Ste. 240

Washington, DC 20005-1503

(202) 289-9806

www.aghe.org

National Association of Social Workers

750 First St. NE, Ste. 700

Washington, DC 20002-4241

(202) 408-8600

www.socialworkers.org

There are also a number of other social worker organizations and associations that you could turn to for aid and more information if you are particularly interested in the possibility of pursuing this career. In order to make a success of a career as a geriatric social worker it is suggested that you have a high degree of patience as well as general love and understanding for the elderly. Without these traits and skills you will find that this job will be too challenging for you to keep up.

Being a social worker is a very rewarding path to follow, not in terms of the monetary returns, but in terms of the fact that you are given the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. The field of geriatric social work is one that is often underserved in a number of states, meaning that you should have very little trouble finding employment in this line of work if this is the specialty you choose to pursue. Becoming a geriatric social worker could be one of the best career moves you could make.

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List Of Social Work Organizations

Here are just a few of the social worker organizations you could belong to as a qualified social worker:

California Clinical Social Work Society

Organization website: www.clinicalsocialworksociety.org

Organization Description: This is a social worker organization with the specific aim of advancing the professional concerns of clinical social workers. Membership is limited to social workers licensed to work as such in the state of California. The advocacy provided is a major advantage of this organization.

Louisiana Association Of Clinical Social Workers

Organization website: http://www.lacsw.org

Organization Description: This is a professional social worker organization for clinical social workers in Louisiana who work in:

• Administrative roles
• Clinical roles
• The private sector
• The public sector
• Medical hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Psychiatric hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• School systems
• Private practice

New York State Clinical Social Work Society

Organization website: http://www.nysscsw.org/

Organization Description: Specifically for social workers based in New York, this organization offers a number of excellent resources which are highly beneficial to its members, including education programs and mentoring.

Ohio River Valley Clinical Social Work Society

Organization website: http://www.orvcsws.org/main.php

Organization Description: According to www.abecsw.org, the Ohio River Clinical Social Worker Society “advances and promotes the practice of clinical social work through continuing education, collegiality and professional action in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana”.

Society For Social Work Leadership In Health Care

Organization website: http://www.sswlhc.org

Organization Description: A small organization with only 1300 members, this society aims to universally promote:

• Availability of health care
• Accessibility of health care
• Coordination of health care
• Effectiveness of health care

In the process the society addresses the psychosocial components of health as well as of illness.

American Association For Psychoanalysis In Clinical Social Work

Organization website: http://www.aapcsw.org

Organization Description: This organization protects the right of social workers to practice and provides discounts on a number of things to its members. In addition the organization sponsors a conference on a regular basis that has been described as high beneficial for social workers to attend.

Clinical Social Work Association

Organization website: http://www.clinicalsocialworkassociation.org

Organization Description: This is known as one of the better clinical social worker organizations available and it aims to ensure that its members are up to date and well informed regarding social work matters so that they can be effective in their jobs.

Greater Washington Society For Clinical Social Work

Organization website: http://www.gwscsw.org

Organization Description: This society oversees a number of social workers with both masters and doctoral degrees who work in the following diverse settings:

• Mental health clinics
• Family service agencies
• Psychiatric hospitals
• Medical facilities
• Government agencies
• Private practice

Known for its professionalism it is one of the better societies in Washington to belong to.

Kentucky Society For Clinical Social Work

Organization website: http://kscsw.com/

Organization Description: This organization aims to uphold the good image of social workers in Kentucky. In addition it is devoted to continuing the education of its members and ensuring that ethical codes are kept and upheld.

Missouri Society For Clinical Social Work

Organization website: www.mscsw.com

Organization Description: According to the organizations website it is “united with the purpose of advancing, protecting and promoting excellence in the clinical social work profession at the state and local level”. Members have access to workshops and additional training as well as other to other benefits such as liability insurance, necessary for all social workers to have.

North Carolina Society For Clinical Social Work

Organization website: www.ncscsw.org/

Organization Description: This is the only society that is available for social workers who are based in the state of North Carolina. Aimed at educating social works and upholding ethical standards, this is yet another social worker organization aimed at protecting its members and the general public.

Pennsylvania Society For Clinical Social Work

Organization website: http://www.pscsw.org

Organization Description: This society advocates for social workers, upholds professional standards and offers opportunities for advanced education in the state of Pennsylvania. It also initiates programs to support clinical practice in the state.

South Carolina Society For Clinical Social Work

Organization website: http://www.scclinicalsocialwork.org

Organization Description: According to its website the South Carolina Society for Clinical Social Work is “a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the social work profession and the community it serves”. Being a social work in South Carolina will earn you the right to belong to this organization and benefit from the many opportunities it offers.

Texas Society For Clinical Social Work

Organization website: www.txscsw.org

Organization Description: Members of this organization possess graduate degrees in social work. The society itself is aimed at addressing the needs and concerns of the social work profession, specifically in the state of Texas. Members of the Texas Society for Clinical Social Work society work in both private as well as public settings.

Washington State Society For Clinical Social Work

Organization website: wsscsw.org

Organization Description: This society aims to provide clinical training and support, legislative advocacy on mental health and social service concerns, protection of clients’ rights, and economic vitality for clinical social workers.

Association For The Advancement Of Social Work With Groups, Inc.

Organization website: http://www.aaswg.org/

Organization Description: This organization focuses on social work in groups and does not exist in order to generate profits. In fact it exists to advocate for this aspect of social work.

Association Of Social Work Boards

Organization website: http://www.aswb.org

Organization Description: This is the board of all boards as it is the organization which regulates all of the other social work organizations mentioned here. The website offers online practice tests opportunities for its members in order to prepare for the necessary examinations.

California Social Work Education Center

Organization website: http://calswec.berkeley.edu

Organization Description: There are a number of social worker organizations that are state-specific, but the California Social Work Education Centre, also known as CalSWEC, is literally the biggest such organization in the country offering numerous opportunities to its California based members.

National Association Of Black Social Workers

Organization website: http://www.nabsw.org/mserver

Organization Description: NABSW was established in 1968 to advocate and address important social issues that impact the health and welfare of the Black community. Minority social workers of this kind can benefit from the advocacy and other opportunities provided by the organization.

National Association Of Deans & Directors Of Social Work

Organization website: http://www.naddssw.org

Organization Description: The purpose of this organization is to enhance the effectiveness of education at social worker schools in over 180 graduate schools of social work in the US and in Canada. This improves the effectiveness of those employed n the profession.

National Association Of Social Workers Illinois Chapter

Organization website: http://www.naswil.org

Organization Description: According to their website “NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world with 150,000 members and over 7,000 in Illinois. The NASW Illinois Chapter keeps their members on top of up-to-the-minute news and information regarding their professional development, whether it’s changes in government regulations, breakthrough treatments, and innovative resources”.

National Association Of Social Workers Montana Chapter

Organization website: http://www.naswmt.org

Organization Description: This is the largest association of professional social workers in the state of Montana and the association’s members are able to benefit from a wide range of educational and advocacy advantages.

National Association Of Social Workers Pennsylvania Chapter

Organization website: http://www.nasw-pa.org/index.cfm

Organization Description: This is a social worker organization in Pennsylvania aimed at providing advocacy, continuing education opportunities, resources, information on licensing and ethics, and professional networking opportunities to its members, all of which are valuable tool sin becoming an effective social worker.

National Rural Social Worker Caucus

Organization website: http://www.ruralsocialwork.org/

Organization Description: This is not, technically speaking, an organization in the strictest sense of the word. It has been described as existing as a rumor rather than as a formal association with structures and rules. The organization was initially introduced in response to the fact that many rural social workers are not able to benefit from the wide range of opportunities offered to their counterparts in the major cities. It was established as a “loose” membership body at the First National Institute on Social Work in Rural Areas hosted by the University of Tennessee in 1976.

In addition to formal organizations there are also a number of resources that social workers will find very useful. Three examples of such resources are:

• DrugWatch.com (http://www.DrugWatch.com)
• Information for Practice (http://www.nyu.edu/socialwork/ip)
• Mental Health America (http://www.nmha.org/)

Although in some states it is compulsory, it is not always mandatory to belong to a social worker organization. Instead you can govern yourself. However this will place you at a disadvantage when you have complaints to make or if you are the subject of a malpractice lawsuit (which happens to even the best of social workers).

Governmental Social Work Organizations vs. Private Social Work Organizations

Funding And Costs

In terms of funding and costs government social worker organizations come out on top every time. This is because they are funded by tax-payers money which generally means that they have a larger budget to work with and can employ larger numbers of social workers without having to worry about the fund raising activities that private social worker organizations have to deal with, in addition, because everything purchased is purchased on a large scale, government social worker organizations are also able to get discounts, ensuring that the majority of the money is spent in your best interests.

Information

Government social worker organizations are highly integrated with other governmental departments. As a social worker you will work closely with:

• Court systems
• Law enforcement systems

By belonging to a government social worker organization you will have more exposure to these systems and increased opportunities to benefit from the information that they provide, thereby helping you to perform your job as a social worker effectively as well as efficiently.

Reputation

Government organizations have a good reputation behind them. If you belong to a private organization you will find that you will spend a large portion of your time proving your legitimacy, while a government organization is already recognized and your membership will make it easier for you to find a job in that line of work. Government agencies may find it easier to work with both groups and individuals due to their status as government representatives. In short there are more pros in favor of belonging to a government social worker organization than to a private one.

There are a number of social worker organizations to choose from. To a certain degree the organization that you belong to depends on the state in which you are qualified to work as a social worker. However there are also national organizations that you can belong to. Although some organizations have rules about how many different associations you are allowed to belong to at once, many also do not. In this case it is wise to belong to as many associations as you can realistically maintain membership at in order to broaden your horizons and come into contact with more opportunities.

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