Social work is a dynamic health and wellness profession that helps individuals, families, and communities address and cope with mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges that impact daily lives. Social workers fills a unique role in promoting wellness and advocating for the disadvantaged and underserved.
How do I become a social worker?
To become a social worker you earn a bachelor of social work (BSW) from a college or university. This degree allows you to work in administrative positions. It prepares you for a master’s degree necessary to become a clinical social worker (CSW). Examples of other degrees you can obtain to apply for a master’s program in social work include public health, human development, psychology, or sociology.
A two year master’s degree with an additional two year of clinical experience are required to be a CSW. Then you are able to take the national exam offered by the Association of Social Work Boards to become licensed. With a CSW you have the ability to diagnose and treat a variety of social and mental health disorders. Some universities offer a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program to achieve your goal. This also reduces the time you are in the program by one year.
What does a social worker do?
Social workers help people cope and solve problems in numerous situations like adoption or dealing with a terminal illness. Social workers with a bachelor’s in social worker (BSW) collaborate with groups or policymakers to implement policies and programs or address psychosocial issues in our communities.
Another specific area of practice is child and family social workers. They protect vulnerable children from exploitation and intervene in cases of neglect or abuse. They assist families in finding community services and resources. Some social workers also help in cases of adoption or foster care.
School social workers develop plans to help students improve academically and socially in conjunction with teachers, parents, school psychologists, and administrators. Students and their families may be referred to a social worker to work through problems like bullying, aggressive behavior, or frequent school absences.
Healthcare social workers help patients understand and adjust to a difficult diagnosis. They may also help patients find support groups or home healthcare services. Healthcare social workers help doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals understand the impact an illness has on a patient’s emotional wellness. They work with the healthcare team that often includes occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists to achieve the best outcomes for patients.
Last, mental health and substance abuse social workers provide specialized programs and support groups to help clients cope with their mental illness or addictions. They frequently work with psychologists and other mental health professionals to coordinate care.
What is a social worker’s salary?
The average annual salary for a social work is $50,470 which is higher than most social services professions. The average salary varies significantly based on the area of social work. On one hand, substance abuse and mental health social workers average $46,650 annually, while social workers in hospitals and healthcare earn $56,750 annually. Additionally, child, family, and school social workers make $47,390 each year. Amazingly, the top 10% earning social workers make over $82,000 a year.
States along the West Coast, Midwest, and Northeast pay child, family, and school social workers over $57,000 a year. Child and family social workers in Washington, DC, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island make between $62,000-$71,590 annually.
California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Alaska, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire compensate healthcare social workers well. Annual salaries in these states for healthcare and hospital-based social workers average $61,170-$79,620.
What is the job outlook for social workers?
The need for social workers is anticipated to increase by a whopping 13%! This increase is across the board for various reasons. First, the need for social workers in schools will increase as student enrollment rises. There is also greater access to social services through school programs now. Another area expected to see huge growth in social work is healthcare as the population ages. Finally, as more people recognize the need for mental health support, social workers will continue to play an essential role.