Social Workers assist individuals, families, groups, and communities in coping with and/or solving problems related to mental health, poverty, illness, unemployment, substance abuse, physical (child, spouse, and elder) abuse, and substandard housing. Social Workers apply their knowledge of human relations to bring into use the capabilities and resources of individuals and the community.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Social Workers may:

Interview, assess, and counsel clients and their families regarding their physical, social, and psychological concerns

Evaluate information to determine the nature and degree of the client's problems

Compile records of their activities, the client's reaction and progress, and indications of accountability

Help clients to improve their personal and social functioning by securing needed services, education, and training

Refer clients to other professional or community resources

Determine client's need for future assistance

Conduct job clubs and make referrals to job placement agencies

Coordinate or work with civic, religious, business, and union organizations to combat social problems through community programs.

Administer welfare programs

The tools, equipment, and work aids used by Social Workers may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Social Workers usually specialize in casework, group work, or community organization: however, some are involved with all three types of social work. They may also specialize in solving certain types of problems or with special groups such as the elderly. Some specialties may be:

195.107-010 CASEWORKERS counsel individuals, work to strengthen personal and family relationships, and help clients cope with problems.

195.107-014 CHILD WELFARE CASEWORKERS help parents with child rearing problems and aid children and youth with difficulties in social adjustment. They determine the suitability of foster homes and adoption applicants and are responsible for placement of children in adoptive homes, foster homes, medical treatment centers, or institutions.

195.164-010 GROUP WORKERS in social services organize and lead group activities which help individuals cope with personal problems.

195.107-038 SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS help children adapt to normal school routine. They consult with parents, teachers, and counselors to determine the causes of problems and possible solutions.

195.107-030 MEDICAL

195.107-034 PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKERS help patients and their families with problems that may accompany illness or inhibit recovery and rehabilitation. They collect information about patients to help doctors and other health staff understand social, emotional, and environmental factors underlying illnesses of the patients. They also assist with the transition from hospital to home and provide discharge planning services and resources.

195.107-042 CORRECTIONAL-TREATMENT SPECIALISTS provide casework services for inmates of jails, prisons, or other correctional institutions. They counsel on the social problems that arise on returning to family and community life and may also help secure necessary education, training, or community services.

Other specializations include clinical social worker, hospital social worker, and industrial or occupational social worker, and Probation and Parole Officer (see MOISCRIPT #318).

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Depending upon the particular work situation, Social Workers tend to work independently rather than under close supervision. Some work in private practice. Others work as members of a team along with physicians, psychologists, lawyers, nurses, therapists, teachers, members of the clergy, and other professionals concerned with a client's welfare. They may also consult and work with members of a client's family. Social Workers adhere to a professional code of ethics.

Working conditions vary with the nature of the work site, the type of employer, and the location. Social Workers may work in government agency offices, hospitals, clinics, schools, prisons, reformatories. Some of their duties may involve contacts outside of their offices requiring travel by automobile, public transportation, or on foot. They may visit clients' homes where conditions are unpleasant or may work in neighborhoods considered to be dangerous. They may also try to help persons who do not feel they need help.

Most Social Workers work a 5-day 37-to 40-hour week. Some are required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays, but they usually receive compensatory time off during the week instead of overtime pay. A number of Social Workers are employed part-time, generally by private practice.

Some Social Workers, including those who work in rural areas, may need to travel long distances. Many employers provide automobiles for field work and reimbursement for travel expenses.

Social Workers may join professional associations such as The National Association of Social Workers. Association members must pay periodic membership fees.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities which involve direct personal contact with people

• Activities which bring recognition or appreciation from others

• Activities which require creative imagination

• Activities which require the use of theoretical/technical skills

You Should Be Able To:

• Understand the meanings of words and ideas

• Communicate well, both in speech and in writing

• Rate information by using personal judgment

• Direct and plan an entire activity or the activities of others

• Work effectively with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

• Working with emotional people in stressful situations

• Help others develop the ability to plan and make decisions

• Act in a manner that will allow people to feel they may trust you

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

The Brown family receives public assistance. The family includes Bill and Diane and their two children. They occupy a four room apartment for which the rental is $85.00 a month. Mr. Brown is employed as a handyman and his gross wages are $90.00 per week. He is employed four days a week and spend $0.70 a day carfare. He buys his lunch and has the following weekly deductions made from his salary.

What is the total of semimonthly expenses related to Mr. Browns' employment which will be deducted from semimonthly gross earnings is what?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Stressful life transitions can be the result of problems in carrying out the tasks of the developmental stages. The assessment must be concerned with identifying the developmental stage and identifying tasks that have not been carried out or in which there is difficulty in carrying them out.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare an analysis report regarding the financial need of a family you have observed.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and be detail oriented in providing human services to clients in need.

In Michigan, although registration may not be required for employment, some workers with bachelor's degrees choose to be registered (licensed) as Social Workers (SW) or with master's degrees, as certified Social Workers (CSW) by the Board of Examiners of Social Workers, Bureau of Occupational & Professional Regulation, Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services. Applicants must be at least 18 and hold a degree in social work or its equivalent, and meet specified post-graduate experience requirements. The National Association of Social Workers allows the use of the title ACSW (Academy of Certified Social Workers) by those members who have at least 2 years of post-master's degree supervisory job experience and have passed the ACSW exam. Registration is particularly important for Social Workers in private practice; some health insurance providers require it for reimbursement.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: An Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOISCRIPT:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2000 LIFE MANAGEMENT , 2200 MATH , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

161 SOCIAL SERVICE

Programs in Social Service provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for professional employment with agencies which promote the welfare of the individual and the community. Individuals may work for hospitals, nursing homes, religious organizations, schools, welfare and social services agencies, the judicial system, and other concerned groups. The minimum degree for registration as a certified Social Worker is a Master's Degree in Social Work.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

            Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAM***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com

SOCIAL WORKER

The military needs close cooperation and a spirit of teamwork among its men and women. Social workers focus on improving conditions that cause social problems, such as drug and alcohol abuse, racism, and sexism.

What They Do

Social workers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Counsel military personnel and their family members

• Supervise counselors and caseworkers

• Survey military personnel to identify problems and plan solutions

• Plan social action programs to rehabilitate personnel with problems

• Plan and monitor equal opportunity programs

• Conduct research on social problems and programs

• Organize community activities on military bases

Physical Demands

Social workers need to be able to speak clearly and distinctly to work with clients.

Special Requirements

A 4-year college degree in social work or related social sciences is required to enter this occupation. Some specialties require a master's degree.

Work Environment

Social workers in the military usually work in offices or clinics.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Desire to help others

• Sensitivity to the needs of others

• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely

• Interest in research and teaching

Training Provided

Job training consists of 16 to 24 weeks of instruction. Course content typically includes:

• Ways of controlling drug and alcohol abuse among military personnel

• Management of equal opportunity programs

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian social workers work for hospitals, human service agencies, and feral, state, county, and city governments. They perform duties similar to those performed by military social workers. However, civilian social workers usually specialize in a particular field such as family services, child welfare, or medical services. They may also be called social group workers, medical social workers, psychiatric social workers, and social welfare administrators.

Opportunities

The services have about 100 social workers. On average, they need 10 new social workers each year. After job training, social workers are assigned to counseling or assistance centers. With experience, they may advance to senior management positions.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Experience related to this field may be available through volunteer, part-time, or summer work in camps, hospitals, community centers, or social service agencies. Other opportunities may be available through postsecondary social service programs or in military service.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Social Workers employer

internships

volunteer work with a Social Workers employer

community service work with an agency

Methods of becoming a Social Worker include applying directly to social agencies, consulting college placement offices and professional organizations, and taking Civil Service exams. Openings may appear in professional journals such as "The NASW News", and newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

The National Association of Social Works JOB LINK ( http://www.naswdc.org/joblinks/default.asp )

Michigan Talent Bank

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal  

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings vary according to the type of employer (private or public), geographic location, and the individual's education, specialty, and experience. Private practitioners, administrators, teachers, and researchers generally earn more than workers in other specializations.

Nationally, in 1998, the median annual salary of Social Workers was $30,108. In late 1998, the average entry-level salary for college graduates with a bachelor's degree in social work was $22,321 per year. In hospitals, Social Workers with a M.S.W. degree averaged $37,000 per year in early 1998. In the federal government, Social Workers with an M.S.W. degree and no experience started at $31,195 (1999). The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Annual salaries earned by Social Workers employed in various Michigan government agencies (early 1999) were:

In mid 1998, Social Workers with M.S.W. degrees employed by hospitals in Michigan had an average annual salary of $38,900, while those with a bachelor's degree averaged $31,700 per year.

The 1997 graduates of one university in Michigan with bachelor's degrees in social work were offered average starting salaries of $21,586. Those with master's degrees were offered starting salaries averaging $32,533 per year.

Depending on the employer, Social Workers generally receive paid vacations and holidays, sick leave, health and life insurance, and a retirement plan. Some agencies allow Social Workers to go on leave to obtain more education. During this period, some employers pay expenses or salaries or both.

Advancement depends on experience, education, and, if a government employee, civil service exam scores. Professional certification and registration may also be important factors. A Social Worker may advance to social work supervisor or administrator.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally (1996), about 584,600 Social Workers were employed. Employment is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2006, reflecting public and private response to the social service needs of a growing and aging population. Demand for Social Workers is governed by public and private funding of social service programs. About 2.8% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Social Workers looked like this:

There are about 16,725 Social Workers employed in Michigan. Most worked in urban areas.

Employment of Social Workers in Michigan is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 800 annual openings is expected with 470 due to growth and 330 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

More Social Workers will be needed because of the growing number of families affected by social and economic change and an increasing number of very young and very old, the age groups most in need of social services. However, the actual number of persons who will be employed in this work will depend on the amount of money budgeted for social work by government and on the amount of community support for private agencies.

Family service agencies, health maintenance organizations, home health agencies, and agencies that offer substance abuse programs, and private practice are likely to provide better opportunities than schools, hospitals, and public agencies.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Social Worker can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development