SOCIAL WORKERS Number 122 Interest Area 10 1998
THE JOB
SOCIAL WORKERS help individuals, families, and communities with their personal and social problems. They assist clients in understanding the causes of their problems and work with them to modify and change attitudes and behavior.
The three traditional approaches to social work have been group work, community organization work, and case work. The approach employed is determined by the nature of the social problem and the time and resources available for solving it. Social Workers may combine these approaches in dealing with a problem.
Group Workers use group counseling methods designed to help people understand themselves and others better. They plan and conduct group activities for children, teens, adults, and senior citizens in a variety of institutions and settings.
Community Social Workers are involved in community organizations and coordinate the efforts of political, civic, religious, business, and union organizations to rectify social problems.
Caseworkers interview clients to identify personal or family problems and help them obtain the needed social services, financial assistance, education, or job training. Caseworkers usually specialize in a particular field, such as health services, or a specific social problem, including delinquency, drug abuse, and poverty.
Medical Social Workers are caseworkers who help patients when personal or social problems impede recovery. They work with doctors to identify environmental relationships underlying the patient's health problem. They also help the patient to understand and follow medical recommendations. School Social Workers counsel children whose social problems hamper their ability to learn. They consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to help students adjust to school life.
Children's service caseworkers aid parents with child-rearing problems and children with social and emotional adjustment problems. They investigate home conditions to protect children from harmful environments. They take legal action on child abuse, and advise foster and adoptive parents.
Family service caseworkers help clients deal with problems concerning family relationships, marriages, home management, finances, health, and work adjustment. Psychiatric Social Workers provide assistance to disturbed patients and their families. They explain the psychiatrist's diagnosis and treatment methods to the families of patients. Correctional Social Workers work with juvenile or adult offenders to determine and correct the causes of antisocial behavior. They may work with youth groups or gangs. They conduct pre-hearing and pre-sentence investigations and present social histories to the courts. They also help parolees and probationers readjust to society. Social Workers are employed by the state as consultants and as Licensing Program Analysts.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Social Workers work in a variety of settings. Most are employed by schools, family service agencies, hospitals, penal institutions, youth service facilities, and local government agencies. Some Social Workers work independently of traditional employers. They may open their own office and rely on referrals and direct contacts, or work as part of a team with other professionals such as medical doctors and psychiatrists.
Social Workers deal with distraught or hostile people, sordid surroundings, and distressing situations of all kinds. They must be able to interact with people from all economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division.
These figures represent the occupational group Social Workers, Medical and Psychiatric.
Estimated number of workers in 1993 19,210 Estimated number of workers in 2005 26,820 Projected Growth Percentage 40% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 5,640
These figures represent the occupational group Social Workers, excluding Medical and Psychiatric.
Estimated number of workers in 1993 32,480 Estimated number of workers in 2005 42,830 Projected Growth Percentage 32% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 9,230
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)
Taken together, the number of Social Workers is expected to increase by about 35 percent, compared with the 27 percent growth rate for all occupations.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Social work positions requiring only a Bachelor's degree are limited. A wider range of employment is available to a holder of a Master's degree in Social Work (MSW). According to the California Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, Social Workers with Master's degrees with less than two years experience earn between $2,500 and $3,000 per month. With two to five years experience, monthly pay increases to a range of $3,000 to $3,400. Between six years and 20 years of experience, monthly pay ranges from $3,750 to $4,600. With 20 years or more of experience, pay ranges from $4,600 to $6,250 per month. Generally, the lower salaries are in the less populated areas.
Union wages for entry level positions with a Bachelor of Arts Degree range from $2,372 to $2,846 per month. Social Workers with a Masters Degree receive from $3,002 to $3,573 per month.
The average workweek is 35 to 40 hours. Many jobs require some evening and weekend hours. Many private agencies hire Social Workers on a part-time or on-call basis. Most employers provide fringe benefit packages including vacation, sick leave, and retirement programs.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
California has a registration program for Social Workers administered by the Board of Behavioral Science.
A California license in clinical social work (LCSW) is required by many agencies. Most employers require a Master's degree in Social Work and some may require that it be in some specialty, such as psychiatric social work. In addition to education, some agencies require practical experience working with a specific social problem. Candidates with specialized training and experience or who are bilingual have a better chance of being hired. Recent graduates and workers from out-of-state are allowed four years to obtain the license.
The principal professional organization is the National Association of Social Workers. The principal labor organizations for those employed by government are locals of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union, both of the AFL-CIO.
ADVANCEMENT
Promotion to classifications that handle more complex and responsible assignments usually require specialized training and an advanced degree. By demonstrating superior judgment and more initiative, some Social Workers advance to administrative and supervisory positions. Promotions in government agencies are based upon written examinations. Advancement in private agencies is less formal, but also depends upon demonstrated competency and ability.
FINDING THE JOB
Announcements of civil service examinations are available at government offices. One may also apply at private agencies, colleges, professional associations, placement bureaus, and the Job Service offices of the California Employment Development Department. Ads can also be found in professional journals.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
National Association of Social Workers (NASW) 750 First Street NE, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20002-4241 (800) 638-8799 http://www.nasw.org
National Association of Social Workers (NASW) California Chapter 1016 23rd Street Sacramento, CA 95816 (800) 538-2565
Board of Behavioral Sciences 400 R St. Suite 3150 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 445-4933
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Psychologists No. 77 Probation Officers and Parole Agents No. 192 Recreation Leaders No. 357 School Counselors/Rehabilitation Counselors No. 429
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed., 1991) Caseworker (social ser.) 195.107-010 Caseworker, Child Welfare (social ser.) 195.107-014 Caseworker, Family (social ser.) 195.107-018 Social Group Worker (social ser.) 195.107-022 Social Worker, Delinquency Prevention 195.107-026 Social Worker, Medical (prof. & kind.) 195.107-030 Social Worker, Psychiatric 195.107-034 Social Worker, School (prof. & kind.) 195.107-038 Community Organization Worker 195.167-010
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Social Workers, Medical and Psychiatric 273020 Social Workers, except Medical and Psychiatric 273050
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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