Social Worker Job Description

 

The term “social worker” applies to a broad category of professionals. Social worker job description and social worker job titles are as numerous and diverse as the many populations they serve. While the population’s social workers serve and the tasks they perform differ from one job to the next, the core skills and philosophies apply to the discipline as a whole. The differences stem from the situations and groups of people served. The U.S. Bureau of Labor breaks these groups up into four distinct categories.

Social Worker Job Description for Child, Family and School Social Workers category. These social workers deal with problems that arise around the family structure. Social workers in this discipline may work in children’s services departments, making sure children live in safe, supportive homes. They may investigate child abuse and neglect or help families work through parenting struggles and family problems. In schools, these social workers help kids and families navigate crisis that affect the educational process, such as learning disabilities, problems at home, teen pregnancy and behavioral problems. Some work in the adoption industry and some work to build and design educational programs that support both teachers and families. The average social worker salary for child, family and school category is around $48,850.

Social Worker Job Description for Healthcare Social Workers category. Social workers in a medical setting help families and individuals deal with illness, injury and death. They can simply provide counseling and emotional support or they can develop complex treatment plans that address both physical and mental care needs. Social worker qualifications in this category can have nursing degrees and serve as educators about chronic disease management and prevention. On a legislative level, medical social workers work to make health care accessible and affordable to all people. Healthcare social workers earn a median income of $49,200.

Social Worker Job Description for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Mental health social workers perform duties similar to medical social workers, but deal specifically with mental health issues. They may help individuals with mental illness find treatment or help them develop the life skills and treatment plans necessary to live independently or find jobs. Some social workers provide case management, which means they monitor clients on a regular basis to make sure their health, safety and other needs continue to be met. Mental health social workers also deal with crisis situations and provide counseling and services for addiction, mental, physical and sexual abuse. They also offer support to victims of crime and other crisis events. These workers earn an average salary of $41,880.

Social Worker Job Description for other social work professions category. The remaining social workers fill gaps anywhere people need help. They may have private practices where they counsel and help people manage life problems and transitions. They may work in the government forming human service policy and making new laws. They may work for corporations to develop programs to help employees deal with job stress or transitions. They may work in fundraising or development to help other organizations get the funding they need. Others work in government organizations that help families qualify for and receive assistance and benefits. This is just a small sample of the scope of practice for social workers. These workers earn roughly $52,270 per year, with those in private practice or government jobs making the highest salaries.

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