What is a Clinical Social Worker?

A clinical social worker who concentrates on medical and public health issues largely deals with the
social aspects of our health. He or she is an advocate for patients and can explain health care resources and policies, assist in finding
additional treatment and offer guidance for how to cope with various psychosocial issues that may arise. Not all health care is
medical. There are also social aspects of medical problems, including how we prevent future medical problems, how we feel about a
prognosis, how we judge the proper care we'll need and how we cope with a stressful life change. A clinical social worker's day-to-
day tasks could include ample research and mounds of paperwork, and they may diagnose and treat mental, behavioral and
emotional disorders. Social workers undergo years of study, including an undergraduate program, advanced degree, approximately
two years of supervised experience and a licensing exam before they can administer care. Feeling empathy for people is an
important asset in this business. A social worker's purview could include improving the well-being of sick minors, evaluating a
middle-aged cancer patient's progress during treatment or assisting a senior citizen seeking home health care. Many of the medical
social workers hired between now and 2024 will end up working with senior citizens and the elderly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics
expects a 19 percent employment increase by 2024, largely due to the comprehensive care the aging baby boomer generation will
need. About 30,900 new jobs are projected.

Clinical social workersalso called licensed clinical social workersdiagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders,
including anxiety and depression. They provide individual, group, family, and couples therapy; they work with clients to develop
strategies to change behavior or cope with difficult situations; and they refer clients to other resources or services, such as support
groups or other mental health professionals. Clinical social workers can develop treatment plans with the client, doctors, and other
healthcare professionals and may adjust the treatment plan if necessary based on their clients progress. They may also provide
mental healthcare to help children and families cope with changes in their lives, such as divorce or other family problems. Many
clinical social workers work in private practice. In these settings, clinical social workers also perform administrative and
recordkeeping tasks, such as working with insurance companies in order to receive payment for their services. Some work in a group
practice with other social workers or mental health professionals.

Social workers work with people and families to support them through difficult times and ensure that vulnerable people, including
children and adults are safeguarded from harm. Their role is to provide support and help in order to improve outcomes in people's
lives. They maintain professional relationships with people, acting as guides and advocates. They sometimes need to use their
professional judgment to make tough decisions that might not always be well received by those they are trying to help. Social
workers work in a variety of settings within a framework of relevant legislation and procedures, supporting individuals, families and
groups within the community. Settings may include homes or schools, hospitals or the premises of other public sector and voluntary
organisations. Social workers tend to specialise in supporting either children and families, or vulnerable adults. It can be a
challenging role, occasionally receiving a lot of media attention, which can be negative when things go seriously wrong. As a result of
this, the government is putting more measures in place to support and develop a strong workforce of social workers. Qualified social
work professionals are sometimes supported by social work assistants. They also work closely with other professionals in health and
social care. Social workers can work in both statutory and non-statutory roles. In a statutory position a social worker's role is to
adhere to the laws that exist to protect the vulnerable clients that they work with. Social workers have a duty to abide by the
legislation and the power to enforce it. In non-statutory roles social workers still work with a similar client group but are not
specifically responsible for enforcing the law. Social workers in non-statutory roles are often employed in the charity sector or in
specialist roles, such as providing support for drug and alcohol users, homeless people and people with mental health issues. They
can also be employed in early intervention roles that aim to prevent the escalation of problems in society to where statutory
services are required. Responsibilities Many social workers work with young people and their families. They may work with the
following groups: the elderly; people with learning and physical disabilities; young offenders; people with mental health conditions;
school non-attenders; drug and alcohol abusers; homeless people. Government legislation focusing on the integration of health and
social work services means that social workers often work in multidisciplinary teams. Tasks typically involve: conducting interviews
with individuals and families to assess and review their situation; undertaking and writing up assessments (sometimes in
collaboration with other professionals), which meet specified standards and timescales; offering information and support; organizing
and managing packages of support to enable people to lead the fullest lives possible; recommending and sometimes making
decisions about the best course of action for a particular person or family; liaising with, and making referrals to, other agencies;
participating in multidisciplinary teams and meetings regarding, for example, child protection or mental health; maintaining accurate
records and preparing reports for legal action; giving evidence in court; participating in training, supervision and team meetings.
More information about a career in social work is provided by Skills for Care, the sector skills council for health and social care
professions

Social work is a graduate profession and you will need either an honours or a postgraduate degree in social work. The degree will
need to be approved by one of the four regulators. These include the: Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) - in England. Care
Council for Wales - in Wales. Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) - in Northern Ireland. Scottish Social Services Council
(SSSC) - in Scotland. Although the diploma in social work (DipSW) and other previous social work qualifications are still recognized as
valid social work qualifications, they are no longer offered to new entrants. If you have an HND or foundation degree you will require
an undergraduate degree in social work, although the following subjects may improve your chances: legal studies; politics,
government or public administration; social care; social sciences. Most undergraduate degrees are full-time courses lasting three
years, although there are some part-time courses. A minimum 2:2 honours degree is needed for entry to the postgraduate
professional training. Some universities will only accept applicants with at least a 2:1, so check with each institution. Applicants will
also need to have passed GCSE (or recognised equivalent) maths and English at Grade C or above. Both undergraduate and
postgraduate courses cover the same topics and have a strong practical element with over 200 days, (usually six to seven hours a
day), of supervised work placements. Approved postgraduate courses are usually full time and last two years, although there are
some part-time courses available. Applications for most courses are made through UCAS. A few part-time postgraduate degrees are
available where applications should be made direct to the university. Search for further courses at the HCPC Register of Approved
Programmes. There are different options for training on the job in social work. Frontline, a new, accelerated, two-year programme
for graduates with a focus on leadership development is an innovative opportunity for exceptional people to become qualified social
workers and lead change in society. Frontline participants will work with police, courts, schools, vulnerable children and families as
children's social workers. The programme will give participants the opportunity to develop valuable leadership skills to prepare them
for influential careers in social work and beyond. It starts with a five-week summer institute, a year of on-the-job training in local
authorities, followed by a year as a qualified social worker with the opportunity to study for a Masters. The Step Up to Social Work
programme may be another possibility. It's an alternative, accelerated entry route, which combines work and study. Check the
website for details of future student intakes. Some students may be eligible for a bursary; see NHS Student Bursaries for further
details. This can change from year-to-year so you should always check with the institution you are applying to. Further information
on how to train as a social worker is available on Skills for Care and the HCPC website. You can get specific information on entry
requirements and paths to becoming a social worker in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland from the relevant social care
workforce regulator: Care Council for Wales; Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC); Scottish Social Services Council.

Roles and Responsibilities These are some typical job duties we found in online ads for social work jobs on Indeed.com: "Provides
mental health counseling to individuals, groups or families" (Clinical Social Workers Only) "Conducts initial assessments"
"Communicates with teams" "Provides crisis intervention as needed" "Refers consumers to appropriate treatment services as
indicated" "Assures maintenance of all case files and other records in strict compliance with policy, regulation, and procedure"
"Coordinates treatment planning and maintains ongoing contact with outpatient providers for continuing care of patient" "Actively
participates in ongoing training as needed to meet all certification standards and credentialing policies" Education, Training and
Licensing Requirements To become a social worker you will have to go to college. For an entry-level job, you will need at least a
bachelor's degree in social work (BSW), but you may be able to get a job with a degree in psychology or sociology. Some jobs require
a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW), and if you want a career as a clinical social worker, this advanced degree is required. All
states and the District of Columbia require social workers to be either licensed, certified, or registered. Requirements vary by state
and apply to practice and use of professional titles. See the Social Work Career Center for a list of state licensing agencies. Find
comprehensive information on social work education, training and licensing in the article "How to Become a Social Worker."

What is a Clinical Social Worker? A clinical social worker who concentrates on medical and public health issues largely deals with the
social aspects of our health. He or she is an advocate for patients and can explain health care resources and policies, assist in finding
additional treatment and offer guidance for how to cope with various psychosocial issues that may arise. Not all health care is
medical. There are also social aspects of medical problems, including how we prevent future medical problems, how we feel about a
prognosis, how we judge the proper care we'll need and how we cope with a stressful life change. A clinical social worker's day-to-
day tasks could include ample research and mounds of paperwork, and they may diagnose and treat mental, behavioral and
emotional disorders. Social workers undergo years of study, including an undergraduate program, advanced degree, approximately
two years of supervised experience and a licensing exam before they can administer care. Feeling empathy for people is an
important asset in this business. A social worker's purview could include improving the well-being of sick minors, evaluating a
middle-aged cancer patient's progress during treatment or assisting a senior citizen seeking home health care. Many of
the medical social workers hired between now and 2024 will end up working with senior citizens and the elderly. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 19 percent employment increase by 2024, largely due to the comprehensive care
the aging baby boomer generation will need. About 30,900 new jobs are projected.

Clinical social workersalso called licensed clinical social workersdiagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and
emotional disorders, including anxiety and depression. They provide individual, group, family, and couples therapy; they
work with clients to develop strategies to change behavior or cope with difficult situations; and they refer clients to
other resources or services, such as support groups or other mental health professionals. Clinical social workers can
develop treatment plans with the client, doctors, and other healthcare professionals and may adjust the treatment plan
if necessary based on their clients progress. They may also provide mental healthcare to help children and families cope
with changes in their lives, such as divorce or other family problems. Many clinical social workers work in private
practice. In these settings, clinical social workers also perform administrative and recordkeeping tasks, such as working
with insurance companies in order to receive payment for their services. Some work in a group practice with other social
workers or mental health professionals.

Social workers work with people and families to support them through difficult times and ensure that vulnerable people,
including children and adults are safeguarded from harm. Their role is to provide support and help in order to improve
outcomes in people's lives. They maintain professional relationships with people, acting as guides and advocates. They
sometimes need to use their professional judgment to make tough decisions that might not always be well received by
those they are trying to help. Social workers work in a variety of settings within a framework of relevant legislation and
procedures, supporting individuals, families and groups within the community. Settings may include homes or schools,
hospitals or the premises of other public sector and voluntary organisations. Social workers tend to specialise in
supporting either children and families, or vulnerable adults. It can be a challenging role, occasionally receiving a lot of
media attention, which can be negative when things go seriously wrong. As a result of this, the government is putting
more measures in place to support and develop a strong workforce of social workers. Qualified social work professionals
are sometimes supported by social work assistants. They also work closely with other professionals in health and social
care. Social workers can work in both statutory and non-statutory roles. In a statutory position a social worker's role is to
adhere to the laws that exist to protect the vulnerable clients that they work with. Social workers have a duty to abide
by the legislation and the power to enforce it. In non-statutory roles social workers still work with a similar client group
but are not specifically responsible for enforcing the law. Social workers in non-statutory roles are often employed in the
charity sector or in specialist roles, such as providing support for drug and alcohol users, homeless people and people
with mental health issues. They can also be employed in early intervention roles that aim to prevent the escalation of
problems in society to where statutory services are required. Responsibilities Many social workers work with young
people and their families. They may work with the following groups: the elderly; people with learning and physical
disabilities; young offenders; people with mental health conditions; school non-attenders; drug and alcohol abusers;
homeless people. Government legislation focusing on the integration of health and social work services means that
social workers often work in multidisciplinary teams. Tasks typically involve: conducting interviews with individuals and
families to assess and review their situation; undertaking and writing up assessments (sometimes in collaboration with
other professionals), which meet specified standards and timescales; offering information and support; organising and
managing packages of support to enable people to lead the fullest lives possible; recommending and sometimes making
decisions about the best course of action for a particular person or family; liaising with, and making referrals to, other
agencies; participating in multidisciplinary teams and meetings regarding, for example, child protection or mental
health; maintaining accurate records and preparing reports for legal action; giving evidence in court; participating in
training, supervision and team meetings. More information about a career in social work is provided by Skills for Care,
the sector skills council for health and social care professions
Social work is a graduate profession and you will need either an honours or a postgraduate degree in social work. The
degree will need to be approved by one of the four regulators. These include the: Health and Care Professions Council
(HCPC) - in England. Care Council for Wales - in Wales. Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) - in Northern Ireland.
Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) - in Scotland. Although the diploma in social work (DipSW) and other previous
social work qualifications are still recognised as valid social work qualifications, they are no longer offered to new
entrants. If you have an HND or foundation degree you will require an undergraduate degree in social work, although
the following subjects may improve your chances: legal studies; politics, government or public administration; social
care; social sciences. Most undergraduate degrees are full-time courses lasting three years, although there are some
part-time courses. A minimum 2:2 honours degree is needed for entry to the postgraduate professional training. Some
universities will only accept applicants with at least a 2:1, so check with each institution. Applicants will also need to
have passed GCSE (or recognised equivalent) maths and English at Grade C or above. Both undergraduate and
postgraduate courses cover the same topics and have a strong practical element with over 200 days, (usually six to
seven hours a day), of supervised work placements. Approved postgraduate courses are usually full time and last two
years, although there are some part-time courses available. Applications for most courses are made through UCAS. A
few part-time postgraduate degrees are available where applications should be made direct to the university. Search for
further courses at the HCPC Register of Approved Programmes. There are different options for training on the job in
social work. Frontline, a new, accelerated, two-year programme for graduates with a focus on leadership development is
an innovative opportunity for exceptional people to become qualified social workers and lead change in society.
Frontline participants will work with police, courts, schools, vulnerable children and families as children's social workers.
The programme will give participants the opportunity to develop valuable leadership skills to prepare them for
influential careers in social work and beyond. It starts with a five-week summer institute, a year of on-the-job training in
local authorities, followed by a year as a qualified social worker with the opportunity to study for a Masters. The Step Up
to Social Work programme may be another possibility. It's an alternative, accelerated entry route, which combines work
and study. Check the website for details of future student intakes. Some students may be eligible for a bursary; see NHS
Student Bursaries for further details. This can change from year-to-year so you should always check with the institution
you are applying to. Further information on how to train as a social worker is available on Skills for Care and the HCPC
website. You can get specific information on entry requirements and paths to becoming a social worker in Wales,
Northern Ireland and Scotland from the relevant social care workforce regulator: Care Council for Wales; Northern
Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC); Scottish Social Services Council.

Roles and Responsibilities These are some typical job duties we found in online ads for social work jobs on Indeed.com:
"Provides mental health counseling to individuals, groups or families" (Clinical Social Workers Only) "Conducts initial
assessments" "Communicates with teams" "Provides crisis intervention as needed" "Refers consumers to appropriate
treatment services as indicated" "Assures maintenance of all case files and other records in strict compliance with policy,
regulation, and procedure" "Coordinates treatment planning and maintains ongoing contact with outpatient providers
for continuing care of patient" "Actively participates in ongoing training as needed to meet all certification standards
and credentialing policies" Education, Training and Licensing Requirements To become a social worker you will have to
go to college. For an entry-level job, you will need at least a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW), but you may be able
to get a job with a degree in psychology or sociology. Some jobs require a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW), and if
you want a career as a clinical social worker, this advanced degree is required. All states and the District of Columbia
require social workers to be either licensed, certified, or registered. Requirements vary by state and apply to practice
and use of professional titles. See the Social Work Career Center for a list of state licensing agencies. Find
comprehensive information on social work education, training and licensing in the article "How to Become a Social
Worker."