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Social Worker

Social worker jobs are often broad and varied due to the different services they provide.  All positions focus on helping members of society function in daily life, and solve personal and/or relationship problems.  Social worker positions may include specialization in many fields such as medical, public, substance abuse, mental health and wellness, child, family, or school.  Many facilities offer a broad range of services that may include all aspects of social work, but social workers must be specially trained in a certain venue. 

Medical and public health social service professionals are responsible for many different services.  For individuals, families, or groups dealing with mental health, substance abuse, or terminal illness, these professionals provide psychosocial support.  They may organize meetings, activities, or any number of services from offices, public areas, or even an individuals’ home. 

Mental health and wellness covers a broad range of disorders.  They may be found in hospitals, local government offices, substance abuse treatment centers, or individual/family service agencies.  Services commonly include therapy, social rehabilitation, crisis intervention, and more. 

Child, family, and school social workers are enlisted to work with parents seeking to adopt children, teenage pregnancies, abusive relationships, occupational support, or assist teachers in dealing with truancy and other issues.  Professional titles may include gerontology, occupational, family services, or child welfare social services. 

Although professionals may be employed in a number of facilities, approximately nine out of every ten associates worked in health care establishments in 2004.  The majority of social workers are employed in individual offices or residential facilities, often in cities and suburbs where training programs and demands are higher.  In spite of high demands for city careers, rural organizations will offer favorable prospects to qualified candidates.  While experts are projecting average growth rates for social worker careers through 2014, the highest projection will be for gerontology and substance abuse professionals. 

Social workers generally complete 40 hour work weeks, but part time, evening, and weekend schedules are not uncommon.  In order to accommodate a clients needs, professionals may schedule meetings, activities, or programs outside of regular business hours.  All social workers must have a kind and understanding disposition, with an intense desire to help others.  They may be employed in low income, or racially diverse areas, so it is pertinent that associates are open and comfortable in a variety of settings.  Understaffing and stress are commonly linked to these positions, so social workers must be able to cope with deadlines and large workloads.

Training for these careers varies by specific occupation, but the most widely accepted education is a Bachelor’s degree.  Professionals interested in clinical, supervisory, administrative, and some public or private careers are required to obtain a master’s degree in social work.  Even higher education is necessary for candidates interested in careers at the college or university levels.  These professionals often obtain a great deal of experience in combination with a doctorate social services degree.  Graduates from psychology, sociology, or related majors may enter the social worker field in a number of entry level positions, but there is often a strong competition for these positions.

For more information on a career as a social worker, please visit the following sites:

• LEAP
• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
• Association of Social Work Boards
• David Baldwin's Trauma Information Pages
• US Department of Health and Human Services

If you are searching for a social work position or have an opening for a social worker, visit iHireSocialServices.  We are a niche job board featuring job postings and candidates in the social service field.