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Social Worker
Health maintenance and restoration can be affected by social, economic and environmental factors. Social workers, through direct counseling and referral services, deal with the emotional, cultural, social and physical needs of the elderly, homeless, unemployed, disabled, seriously ill, and handicapped. Medical social workers frequently work with the mentally ill. Social workers help their clients to accept situations that cannot be changed or to rebuild their lives by making constructive and meaningful changes.
Social workers are health care professionals who are devoted to helping people function as well as they can within their environment.
They help people cope with complex social and emotional problems and assist them in obtaining the resources they need to resume normal day-to-day living. Social workers need to have an understanding of. human behavior and its normal developmental stages; how illness and disease will impact personal functioning; crisis intervention theory; as well as a thorough knowledge of the community resources available.
| Some of the responsibilities include: |
| • | Interviewing and counseling individual patients and families regarding their physical, social and psychological concerns |
| • | Evaluating information to determine the nature and degree of patients' problems |
| • | Compiling records of their activities, their reaction and progress, and their indications of accountability |
| • | Assisting patients in improving personal and social functioning by helping them to secure services, education and training |
| • | Determining patients' possible needs or future assistance |
| • | Improving services by community and organizational change |
| • | Conducting job clubs and making referrals to job placement agencies |
| • | Referring patients to other professionals or community resources |
| • | Coordinating or working with civic, religious, business and union organizations to combat social problems through community programs |
Social workers are employed in hospitals, schools, prisons, family service agencies, nursing homes, adoption agencies, mental health agencies, community service agencies, businesses and industries. They usually specialize in casework, group work or community organizations, but some are involved with all three. Social workers often work independently, but may work as part of a team which includes physicians, psychologists, lawyers, nurses, therapists, teachers and the clergy.
While a good majority of other industries and businesses are becoming more computerized, social work still offers a career opportunity that is intimately involved with people.
Job Outlook
Employment opportunities look good. A growing area for social workers is in business and industry helping employees with problems that affect their work performance. As the population continues to age, the need for social workers to help the elderly adapt to the aging process will increase.
Educational Requirements
A career in social work requires education in a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
There are three levels of education:
Baccalaureate Degree (BSW)
Master's Degree (MSW)
Doctoral Degree (DSW or PhD)
The MSW degree has traditionally been viewed by the profession as necessary for clinical practice and administrative positions.
Educational courses include: human behavior, family dynamics, social policy and services, social work methods, knowledge of community resources and how to use them.
Educational Programs - Chicago Area
Aurora University
347 Gladstone
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 892-6431
http://www.aurora.edu/
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*Loyola University at Chicago
820 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 915-7005
http://www.luc.edu/
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*University of Illinois at Chicago
Dept. Code: 2-6801
4214 EPASW MC 309
1040 W. Harrison
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 996-7096
http://www.uic.edu/
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Other Programs - Illinois
*Illinois State University
North and School Streets
Normal, IL 61761
(309) 438-2181
http://www.ilstu.edu/
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*Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Office of Student Services
School of Social Work
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 453-1235
http://www.siuc.edu/
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*Graduate Degree Available
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