Social Worker Job Description
What Does a Social Worker Do?
A social worker is a professional who specializes in helping people with their personal, social, and psychological needs. They provide client assessments, assist in resolving conflicts and crises, offer counseling, provide referrals to other services, and advocate for their clients’ rights.
Social Worker Job Description Example
Pittsburgh Comfort Care is a hospice care facility nestled in the heart of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We strive to create a comfortable and warm environment for our patients and their families alike, providing care and compassion as they transition into their final stages of life. We are currently looking to hire a full-time Social Worker to join our compassionate team.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Social Worker at Pittsburgh Comfort Care will be responsible for providing professional care to patients and other members of the hospice team. The Social Worker will be responsible for carrying out the following duties:
- Meeting with patients and families to evaluate current needs
- Developing plans for services such as counseling, advocacy, education, and community resources
- Conducting assessments of psychosocial issues and individual needs
- Contribute to team decisions regarding patients' care
- Effectively communicating with other healthcare professionals, family members, and other relevant parties
- Maintaining accurate documentation, notes, and records
Work Hours and Benefits:
The Social Worker will be expected to work 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday during normal business hours at our Pittsburgh facility. Pittsburgh Comfort Care offers its employees a competitive wage and various benefits packages, including health, vision, and dental insurance, time off, and tuition reimbursement.
Qualifications:
- A Master’s or Doctorate degree in Social Work
- Current license to practice in Pennsylvania
- Strong communication, problem solving, and multitasking skills
- Familiarity with healthcare regulations and standards
- Ability to respond compassionately in stressful situations
- Ability to document thoroughly and accurately
- Knowledge of relevant community resources
Training and Education:
Pittsburgh Comfort Care is committed to providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities to its employees. The Social Worker should have a Master's or Doctorate degree in Social Work, and must be a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the state of Pennsylvania.
If you of the qualifications and are looking for the opportunity to enrich the lives of our patients, please apply for this position. Pittsburgh Comfort Care is looking for a compassionate and dependable Social Worker who is ready to join our team.
What to Include on a Social Worker Resume or Job Posting
Common social worker responsibilities
- Developing and implementing individualized treatment plans for clients.
- Providing crisis intervention and counseling services.
- Assessing clients’ needs and connecting them to appropriate resources.
- Facilitating group therapy sessions.
- Documenting client progress and maintaining accurate records.
- Collaborating with other professionals to coordinate services.
- Advocating for clients’ rights and interests.
- Educating clients and their families about available resources.
- Developing and implementing community outreach programs.
- Participating in professional development activities.
Qualities & traits
- Empathy: Social workers must be able to understand and relate to the feelings of their clients.
- Compassion: Social workers must be compassionate and caring in order to be effective in their work.
- Patience: Social workers must be able to remain calm and patient when dealing with difficult situations.
- Communication Skills: Social workers must be able to communicate effectively with their clients and other professionals.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Social workers must be able to identify problems and develop solutions.
- Organizational Skills: Social workers must be able to manage their time and workload efficiently.
- Cultural Competence: Social workers must be aware of and sensitive to the cultural backgrounds of their clients.
- Professionalism: Social workers must maintain professional boundaries and adhere to ethical standards.
What a typical day looks like for a social worker
A social worker's day-to-day activities vary depending on their role and specialty. Generally, social workers provide direct services to clients, such as program planning, casework, counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, and support. They may also provide services to entire families and communities, by developing programs to address areas such as youth crime, school dropout, drug abuse, unemployment, affordable housing, and public assistance. Other activities include conducting intakes with clients, advocating for the rights of the client, and conducting research. Social workers may also provide referrals to community resources and work in partnership with other agencies to ensure necessary services are provided.
Compatible jobs and work history
Social work is a field of study and practice that focuses on understanding and addressing the needs of individuals, families, and communities through advocacy, research, and direct service. Though experience as a social worker is traditionally the most direct route to becoming a social worker, there are many other jobs and work histories that are compatible with the profession. These roles often require a mix of knowledge and skills that are related to social work, such as connecting people to resources, providing support, and advocating for the most vulnerable members of society.
Below is a list of 5-10 compatible job titles:
- Mental Health Therapist
- Case Manager
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Care Coordinator
- Community Outreach Worker
- Victim Advocate
- Psychiatric Technician
- Teacher
- Probation Officer
- Social Services Manager
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