Social Workers

Career summary

Social workers work in a variety of settings, including:

• Clinics
• Hospitals
• Schools

Social workers talk to new clients in order to identify their problems, concerns, and needs. They also collect other information, such as employment or medical records. They arrange medical or psychiatric tests for some clients.

After gathering information, social workers create plans for helping clients. They monitor clients' progress towards solving their problems and revise plans as needed. They provide information to clients about how to apply for assistance, funds, and services.

Medical and psychiatric social workers

Medical and psychiatric social workers in hospitals coordinate plans for the care and rehabilitation of patients. They help ill patients and their families locate the help they will need when they leave the hospital. They lead support groups to help families and patients deal with illnesses such as AIDS or cancer. They manage substance abuse and mental health programs.

Child social workers

Child welfare social workers work to ensure the safety and health of children. They make sure low-income children and pregnant mothers receive enough food. They investigate reports of child abuse. Sometimes they place children in foster care. They evaluate the quality of foster and adoptive homes.

Clinical social workers

Clinical social workers provide counseling. They work for public agencies and clinics and in private practice. They lead support groups or counseling sessions to provide support for problems such as depression, drug dependency, and stress.

Some social workers provide help to older people and their families. Social workers not only help them get the services they need, but also help families and individuals adjust to changes in their lives.

Social workers in schools identify students' problems and work to find help for them. Problems may include misbehavior in class, too many absences, or teen pregnancy. They confer with teachers, parents, and other counselors to determine the causes of problems.

Social workers work closely with other health care and social service providers. They supervise social and human service assistants. They keep detailed records of test results, conversations with clients, and treatment plans. They prepare reports for schools, courts, and other agencies.

Related careers

This career is part of the Human Services cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Addictions Counselors
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Mental Health Counselors
• Probation Officers
• Psychologists
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• School Counselors
• Social and Community Service Managers
• Social and Human Service Assistants

Military careers

• Caseworkers and Counselors
• Social Workers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to social workers.

• Interview client and family members to determine needs.
• Collect information from school records, medical tests, or employment records.
• Prepare a treatment plan for care, rehabilitation, or treatment of client.
• Monitor progress toward goals set in a treatment plan.
• Modify treatment plan if necessary.
• Counsel and lead support groups for clients and family members. Refer client or family members to community services if necessary.
• Maintain case records and write reports.
• Manage substance abuse programs in the community.
• Investigate reports of child abuse.
• Assess foster and adoptive homes for children.
• Consult with other health professionals to determine clients' needs.
• Supervise social and human service assistants.
• Conduct social research.

Common work activities

Social workers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Assist and care for others
• Get information needed to do the job
• Document and record information
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Perform for or work with the public
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Use computers
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Evaluate information against standards
• Think creatively
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Coach others
• Develop and build teams
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Teach others
• Perform administrative tasks
• Process information
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Schedule work and activities
• Analyze data or information

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, social workers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high degree of social interaction. They work with clients, families, and other social workers.
• Communicate with coworkers and clients daily by telephone or in person.
• Write letters and memos on a daily basis.
• Are often placed in conflict situations with clients or their family members.
• Often deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous people.
• Sometimes deal with physical aggression of violent clients or their family members.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of clients.
• Are responsible for the work outcomes of those they supervise.
• Communicate with coworkers and clients weekly by e-mail.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Mostly work indoors in offices, but sometimes work outdoors when visiting clients.
• Are sometimes exposed to diseases from clients.
• Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable.
• Work in a vehicle when traveling to visit clients.
• Work near other people, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from others.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work. Errors or omissions could endanger the health and safety of clients or others.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that strongly impact clients and their families. They rarely consult with a supervisor or coworkers before making decisions.
• Are usually able to set their tasks for the day without consulting with coworkers or a supervisor.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a weekly basis.
• Repeat the same mental tasks.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• Usually work 40 hours per week.
• May drive across town or farther to visit clients.

Physical demands

Social workers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for social workers to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for social workers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

Skills and abilities

Social workers need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Teach others how to do something.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Social Work

Other programs of study to consider

• Addiction Counseling
• Child Development
• Community Services
• Corrections
• Family Studies and Human Development
• Gerontology
• Human Services
• Marriage and Family Counseling
• Mental Health Counseling
• Rehabilitation Counseling

Training

To work as a social worker, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have at least a bachelor's degree in social work; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

You must have at least a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) to work in this field. Clinical social workers need a master's degree in social work (MSW). Colleges and universities offer programs in social work. If you are going to get a master's degree, your bachelor's degree does not need to be in social work. Common majors are psychology, sociology, and social anthropology.

Master's degree programs take two years to complete after your bachelor's degree. These programs prepare you to choose a field of practice, such as child welfare or school social work. You should take classes that develop your skills in clinical assessments, caseload management, and counseling. These programs require that you complete a practicum or internship.

You need a doctorate (PhD) in social work or a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) to teach at the college level.

Work experience

Part-time or volunteer work at a social service agency is good background for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Employers often provide training to new social workers. You learn agency procedures, forms, and case management. You often work with an experienced social worker for a period of time before receiving your own caseload. Training generally lasts up to three months.

You should consider participating in an internship while you are in college. An internship is usually part of a four-year degree program. It offers you a chance to apply what you learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be social workers. You must have at least a bachelor's degree to enter this military occupation. A master's degree may be required. Training lasts 16 to 24 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anthropology
• Computer Applications
• Ethnic and Gender Studies
• Psychology
• Sociology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers usually require a bachelor's or master's degree. Most employers will accept a bachelor's degree in any area of social science. However, when a master's degree is required, it usually must be in social work (MSW).

Employers prefer applicants who have work experience. Some may prefer up to two years of work related experience. Internships and volunteer work are good ways to get experience. Some employers hire graduates who completed internships in their agency. Employers also look for people who are dedicated and willing to put in extra effort when required.

Tips

Experience and references always help new graduates find jobs. A paraprofessional job assisting social workers is a way to gain experience. Affiliation with professional organizations and graduate work may be beneficial. Knowledge of a second language is helpful. Social workers who assist trauma victims need to be able to recognize the symptoms of secondary traumatic stress (STS) disorder and know how to manage it effectively.

#Prevalence of Secondary Traumatic Stress among Social Workers, by Brian Bride, Social Work Journal 2007.

Costs to workers

Workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues.

Licensing/certification

Licensing from the State of Washington may be required in some employment areas for social workers. There are three types of social worker licensing: associate (pre-practice license), advanced, and independent.

Requirements for an associate license include:

• graduation with a master's or doctoral degree in social work from an approved school;
• submitting an application;
• answering personal data questions;
• four hours of HIV/AIDS training; and
• payment of required fees.

This allows the social worker to obtain the experience requirements for the advanced and independent licenses.

Requirements for a licensed advanced social worker (LASW) include:

• a master's or doctoral degree in social work from an approved school;
• 3,200 hours of post-masters experience, of which 90 hours must under the supervision of a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed advanced social worker or an equally qualified licensed mental health professional;
• passing a written exam;
• answering personal data questions;
• completion of four-clock hours of HIV/AIDS education;
• 36-clock hours of continuing education every two years; and
• payment of required fees.

Requirements for a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) include:

• a master's or doctoral degree in social work from an approved school;
• 4,000 hours of supervised post-masters experience (1,000 hours must be in direct contact with clients supervised by a LICSW; and, 130 hours must be under the supervision of a licensed independent clinical social worker or an equally qualified licensed mental health professional);
• passing a clinical exam;
• answering personal data questions;
• completion of four-clock hours of HIV/AIDS education;
• 36-clock hours of continuing education every two years; and
• payment of required fees.

There is also an examination fee that is paid to the American Association of Social Work Boards which conducts the examination.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Health Professions Quality Assurance
Licensed Social Worker Program 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504
360.236.4700

#2/13/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers 
• Healthcare Social Workers 
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 
• Mental Health Counselors 
• Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Social workers employed by public school districts throughout the state earn an average base salary of $55,719 annually.

#Updated OSPI info Updated 5/1/13 & 4/7/15 cj. OSPI 4/11/16 lh. OSPI 4/3/17, 3/13/19 cj.

Wages vary by the area of specialization. Wages also vary by the social worker's level of education and responsibility.

Social workers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• State and local government agencies
• Social services agencies
• Schools, colleges, and universities
• Outpatient care centers

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be very strong. The fastest growth will occur in health care social work. New health care laws mean that more people will have access to health care. Mental health and substance abuse social workers will also be in high demand. As the population grows there is also a greater need for child and family social workers. Social workers will also be needed to help elderly people get services they need. Growth may be limited due to budget cuts at all levels of government.

Job openings also occur as people retire. Job prospects may be best for people who specialize in gerontology, mental health, or health care.

Other resources

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences 

Alliance for Children and Families 
1825 K St. N.W.
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006
800.221.3726
414.359.1040

American Correctional Association 
206 North Washington Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
800.222.5646
703.224.0000

American Public Human Services Association 
1101 Wilson Boulevard, 6th Floor
Arlington, VA 22209
202.682.0100

Association of Social Work Boards 
400 Southridge Parkway, Suite B
Culpepper, VA 22701
800.225.6880
540.829.6880

Considering a Career in Psychology? 
(from the American Psychological Association)

Explore Health Careers: Social Worker 

National Association for Home Care & Hospice 
228 Seventh Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
202.547.7424

National Association of Social Workers 
750 First Street NE, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20002
202.408.8600

The New Social Worker Magazine 

References

Career cluster

• Human Services

Career path

• Social

O*Net  occupations

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers (21-1021.00) 
• Healthcare Social Workers (21-1022.00) 
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (21-1023.00) 

O*Net job zones 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupations

• Casework Supervisor (195.137-010) 
• Caseworker (195.107-010) 
• Caseworker, Child Welfare (195.107-014) 
• Caseworker, Family (195.107-018) 
• Social Group Worker (195.107-022) 
• Social Worker, Delinquency Prevention (195.107-026) 
• Social Worker, Medical (195.107-030) 
• Social Worker, Psychiatric (195.107-034) 
• Social Worker, School (195.107-038) 
• Substance Abuse Counselor (045.107-058) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Social Worker

Holland occupational clusters

• Social/Enterprising/Artistic
• Social/Investigative/Artistic
• Social/Investigative/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Service Professional