스포트라이트
Addictions Counselor Assistant, Advocate, Clinical Assistant, Residential Care Assistant, Social Services Aide, Social Services Assistant, Social Work Assistant, Social Work Associate, Social Worker Assistant, Family Service Advocate
Everyone can use a helping hand sometimes. It is the job of Social and Human Service Assistants to provide help to a wide range of citizen populations in times of need. They provide or connect people to services related to mental wellness, substance abuse treatment, job assistance, social welfare benefits, and much more. This work involves determining the best resources for each specific customer and their unique situation, then helping them apply to the best matches.
There’s a great deal of record keeping involved, with workers in this field having access to highly sensitive personal information such as criminal and drug histories. Social and Human Service Assistants are responsible for client progress tracking and use data to generate reports for state and local use. Tracking can include making follow-ups calls or appointments in or outside of the office. Additionally, there are community outreach efforts, such as attending meetings to share information about services an agency offers. Employees in this sector may work under job titles such as family service assistant, case work aide, clinical social work aide, or others.
- Providing direct, often life-changing assistance to persons from all walks of life
- Making an impact on families and helping to improve outcomes for children
- Interacting with multiple state and local agencies and learning how they operate
- Becoming a valued member of the community
Working Schedule
Social and Human Service Assistants typically work 40 hour weeks, Monday through Friday, with occasional night or weekend commitments. Depending on your specific job, there is potential for unexpected or urgent calls requiring work after normal hours. Travel is required from time to time.
Typical Duties
- Working with individuals, families, and organizations in the local community
- Ensuring child welfare and safety, and enabling parents with resources they need
- Coordinating daily living assistance services for elderly or disabled customers, such as cooking, meal delivery, bathing, and general errands
- Helping military veterans transition into civilian routines again; finding suitable housing and employment opportunities, and directing them to veteran services
- Placing clients with substance abuse needs into support groups or rehab centers
- Connecting immigrated persons to job and housing resources, English language learning services, or free legal clinics who help prepare documents
- Aiding clients suffering from mental health issues to access support networks, counseling services, and housing if needed
- Working with former inmates struggling with daily life after periods of incarceration
- Helping homeless populations locate essential services offering food and shelter, as well as job training and other resources aimed at reducing homelessness
- 추가 책임
- Collaborating with local employers, promoting equal access to job opportunities and accommodations for disabled persons
- Potentially operating within in a variety of locations outside of the office, such as residences, medical clinics or hospitals, shelters, and other buildings
소프트 스킬
- Ability to “troubleshoot” human problems and find realistic solutions
- Awareness of sociology issues and trends
- Basic counseling skills
- Understanding the rules of mandatory reporting
- Ability to safeguard sensitive information
- Commitment to diversity and respect for other ethnicities and cultures
- Compassion and empathy, with the ability to be objective
- Excellent communication skills, including active listening
- Good time management; highly organized
- Above-average interpersonal skills
- Comfortable operating independently
- Patience, resilience, and composure under stress
- Good writing ability
- Perceptiveness; ability to discern when customers may be hiding problems
- 수완과 리더십
- 건전한 판단과 의사 결정, 때로는 압박감
- Strong commitment to providing personal service
- Understanding of human psychology
기술 능력
- 컴퓨터에 대한 일반적인 지식 (PC 또는 Apple)
- Familiarity with databases and query software applications
- Excellent email protocol and etiquette
- Spreadsheet and presentation apps
- Use of electronic medical record software
- Potentially voice recognition software usage
- State and local government-managed human services offices
- Nonprofit organizations
- For-profit social service agencies
- Residential care facilities
- 재활 센터
Social and Human Service Assistants may work with several cases each day. Often, any given case can require getting involved with serious or even life-threatening problems a client is coping with. This can take an emotional toll on the worker, who must be able to maintain their composure and objectivity throughout the day as they move from case to case. It is important to give every customer a high degree of attention and focus. This can be challenging at times if the worker finds themselves dwelling on a particular case that troubles them.
Employees in this field are asked to write objective reports and evaluations. This can also be difficult when personal feelings are involved, so it is crucial to be aware of biases. Workers need to keep diligent records and stay organized, which requires methodical work practices. They must stay aware of continuous changes and updates to policies and resources.
At times, they’re expected to venture out of the office and meet customers in homes or other areas. Social and Human Service Assistants collaborate with several other agencies, including law enforcement and legal professionals. Every day they are tasked to clearly articulate important messages, sometimes regarding volatile situations. There are times when public speaking engagements are needed to advertise services.
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic altered the daily lives of most Americans. Many faced employment challenges; some were cut off from much-needed services. Others encountered health and substance abuse problems. Statistics revealed an alarming spike in domestic violence and suicide, as well. As states ease back on restrictions, Social and Human Service Assistants may count on influxes of new cases. People who are struggling to re-normalize their lives will need to seek out help, potentially putting a temporary strain on current workers.
Longer-term, the US expects a rise in the number of older citizens as life expectancy increases. Social and human services agencies will need to prepare for extra demand on services. It’s also anticipated that governmental policy shifts will aim to divert substance abusers into treatment options versus sentences of incarceration. This, too, will require added help from the social services sector.
Most people who enter these careers have always had a desire to help others. This could come from simply being raised in a family environment where such actions were the norm. It could also come from the opposite — from situations where a person didn’t grow up with that type of love or affection, spurring them to find ways to offer it themselves through service to people in their community.
It takes a strong commitment to social change and improvement to work with those in need. Many workers may have been politically active during high school, perhaps running for student offices. They could also have been exposed to social issues during college and may have enjoyed organizing activities and events. Multicultural projects and organizations are often a passion for those in this field. It’s also not uncommon for many Social and Human Service Assistants to have grown up in other countries or to have experienced discrimination or financial hardship in their lifetimes.
- A high school diploma (or GED) is the minimum necessary to get started in this field
- A bachelor’s isn’t needed for every job, but a relevant certificate or associate degree is helpful to learn about the subject matter
- There are several applicable certifications. Examples include:
- Human Services - Board Certified Practitioner
- Certified in Family and Consumer Sciences
- Certified Personal and Family Finance Educator
- Certified Employment Support Specialist
- Home Visitor Child Development Associate
- Case Manager Certification
- Note, some certifications require a degree to obtain!
- To qualify for roles with increased responsibility and pay, you’ll generally need a bachelor’s or master’s with a major in human services, counseling, social work, social services, social science, or public policy
- Per O*Net Online, 39% of workers have a bachelor’s, 18% an associate's, and 16% “some college”
- Social and Human Service Assistant internships can help teach practical skills
- Employers may seek workers with demonstrated experience performing relevant duties
- Expect duties and pay to be linked to education and experience levels
- Any volunteer work related to helping others or providing direct care is beneficial
- Experience assisting older adults is increasingly sought after
- Bilingual expertise can be a major career asset in many areas
- On-the-Job Training is offered for those without any college background
- Internships are available in many areas and look great on a resume
- Certificate or two-year degree options include courses on counseling, human development and behavior, sociology, psychology, gerontology, and social welfare
- Per O-Net Online, 27% of workers hold a bachelor’s degree; 18% hold a master’s
- Certification and state licensure may be required for some jobs. These involve passing an exam. Certifications include, but are not limited to:
- Certified Advanced Children, Youth & Family Social Worker (C-ACYFSW)
- Certified Clinical Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs Social Worker (C-CATODSW)
- Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM)
- Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology (CSW-G)
- Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW)
- Licensed Bachelor of Social Work (LBSW)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Military Service Members, Veterans & Their Families – Social Worker (MVF-SW)
- Qualified Clinical Social Worker (QCSW)
- Review accredited online programs if you don’t live near a campus
- 수업료, 할인 및 지역 장학금 기회 비용을 고려하십시오 (FAFSA 또는 인력 혁신 및 기회법 혜택과 같은 연방 지원 외에)
- 캠퍼스, 온라인 또는 하이브리드 프로그램에 등록할지 여부를 결정할 때 일정과 유연성에 대해 생각해보십시오.
- Study in specialization areas such as rehabilitation, gerontology, or child welfare
- 고등학교에서는 심리학, 사회학, 사회 복지 정책, 윤리, 경제 및 정치 과학 분야의 고급 수업을 구입하십시오.
- 영어, 작문, 말하기, 프리젠 테이션 및 협상과 같은 의사 소통 기술을 강화하십시오.
- 지역 사회 복지 단체와 협력하여 실제 경험과 문제에 대한 노출, 갈등 해결 기술 등을 얻는 자원 봉사
- Look for Social and Human Service Assistant internships in your local area
- Decide if you want to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or just launch into work with an associate or certificate
- Think about the specialization areas you’re interested in, such as family services, nursing and residential care, community and vocational rehabilitation services, government agencies, etc.
- Note, Social and Human Service Assistants may go on to become Social Workers in different specialization areas such as:
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Look for apprenticeships that offer paid experiences
- Read magazines such as Social Work Today and watch videos on YouTube related to what social workers do and what impact they have on the lives of others
- Get involved! Work with local shelters, food banks, at-risk youth programs, or cultural programs and organizations to learn more about issues people are facing
- Per BLS, ~59,100 Social and Human Service Workers jobs are projected per year through 2030
- Pay attention to where the jobs are. 29% are with individual/family services; 11% are at nursing and residential care facilities; 11% are at local government agencies, 10% with state agencies; and 9% with community and vocational rehab services
- Grow your network as you complete volunteer and internship work
- Get involved with local groups and build your reputation as a knowledgeable, passionate person doing great things for the community. Host events, conduct site visits, give presentations, share information on social media, and make connections!
- LinkedIn 및 기타 플랫폼에서 가용성을 광고하십시오.
- Speak to teachers, supervisors, and co-workers in advance to ask if they’ll be references for you
- Check out job portals such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and Zippia, as well as Craigslist and local classified ads
- If you see an interesting job post, highlight keywords that stand out to you, then work those back into your resume. This can help your application get through automated tracking software
- If you need help with your resume, get ideas from premade Social and Human Service Assistant resume templates
- Before you start getting calls for interviews, read through a few Social and Human Service Assistant interview questions and answers
- Demonstrate compassion and efficiency in your duties with clients
- Be on time for work, and go the extra mile when the situation calls for it
- Keep a positive, goal-oriented outlook even during tough times
- Offer solutions instead of excuses
- Stay professional and courteous, even when customers are venting frustrations
- Start working on advanced education and training as soon as you can
- Keep a sharp eye on trends, and work towards in-demand certifications
- Become a policy expert by reading and keeping up with changes
- Step up to the plate and demonstrate your desire to lead
- Be a role model employee. Offer to mentor new workers and organize activities
- Join professional organizations for social workers
- Get published! Write peer-reviewed magazine articles or op-eds for online media
- Volunteer to do as many community engagement events as you can
웹사이트
- American Clinical Social Work Association
- American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
- International Federation of Social Workers
- National Association of Black Social Workers
- 전국 사회 복지사 협회
- National Organization for Human Services
- National Rural Social Work Caucus
- 미국 학교 사회 복지 협회
- Society for Social Work and Research
- 건강 관리에서 사회 복지 리더십을위한 사회
책
- Becoming a Helper, 6th Edition, by Marianne Schneider Corey and Gerald Corey
- Social Problems and Social Movements, by James DeFronzo and Jungyun Gill
- Homeless Narratives & Pretreatment Pathways: From Words to Housing, by Jay Levy
- An Introduction to Human Services: Policy and Practice, by Barbara Schram, Betty Mandell, et al.
- Fundamentals of Case Management Practice: Skills for the Human Services, by Nancy Summers
- Management of Human Service Programs, by Judith Lewis, Thomas Packard, et al.
The Bureau of Labor Statics lists several similar occupations to explore:
- 보육 노동자
- 보건 교육자 및 지역 사회 보건 종사자
- 가정 건강 보좌관 및 개인 간호 보좌관
- 결혼 및 가족 치료사
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
- 재활 상담사
- Social and Community Service Managers
- 사회복지사
- 약물 남용, 행동 장애 및 정신 건강 카운슬러