Home

Become a Social Worker

Typical job expectations of a social worker or case worker.

Home | Job Description | Degrees | Licensing | Salary | Find Schools

Social Worker
Social work is a profession that is intrinsically involved with people's lives and problems and can, therefore, be emotionally draining. However, many hospitals and other facilities that employ social workers recognize the important role they play in patients' lives and are seeking ways to ease the burden of their caseloads. Many health care facilities now employ other medical professionals, such as registered nurses and health aides, to help with client care.

Find Social Work Degree Programs

Clinical social workers perform the following duties:
  • Provide mental health counseling to clients. This can include one-on-one counseling or group therapy. A keen eye for observation is necessary in evaluating patients with emotional problems.
  • Interview and evaluate clients' problems. A key to successful treatment is the correct diagnosis. Meeting and evaluating clients' needs is often a short, but critical part of the process.
  • Develop treatment plans with clients. Engaging clients to take an active part in their own treatment is often the best approach to a successful plan of action.
  • Keep treatment records for each client. Perhaps the least attractive part of the job, but accurate and detailed record-keeping can help clients in the long run, since you may not be the only person with whom they will consult over a lifetime.
  • Direct clients to other areas of assistance. Giving clients the tools they need to find the right treatment or assistance is important. Your knowledge of resources is your toolbox for finding right assistance.
  • Consult with doctors, therapists and medical professionals. Instructing other health care professionals as to the nature of your clients' social or psychological challenges will help them in their treatments as well.
  • Administer social service programs. As you gain experience, you may find a need for a social service program that could help a wider range of people. Work training programs, reading skill classes or nutrition education are just a few examples of effective social work programs.
  • Instruct clients' families during treatment. Families also need to know the nature of the mental health conditions of their loved ones, and what they can do to help. Counseling families not only helps clients, but also strengthens their main support systems.

Find Social Work Degree Programs

Spotlight Schools

Walden University

At Walden, you'll benefit not only from our unique distance learning delivery models, but from the personal attention of our world-class faculty, and from a highly customized program that is directly related to your career goals.

Select a Campus:Online

Social Worker Job Facts

Most social workers are case managers, with 40-hour workweeks; however, evening and weekend hours are occasionally necessary to meet with clients and handle emergencies that arise.

However, most social worker case managers spend the majority of their time in an office or at a residential facility. Some may travel to visit clients, meet with service providers or attend meetings.

Clinical social workers may be employed in a variety of settings, like hospitals, mental health clinics, child welfare agencies, schools, community organizations or in private practice.

Table of Contents