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Professional Identity Development in Social Work

Holly S. Thompson

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke-Department of Social Work

Dr. Cindy E. Locklear

November 16, 2020

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Abstract

Professional identity development is how we view ourselves in our professional environment and

how we use this identity to interact with others. When we look at professional identity

development in the social work profession, we begin to consider how we evolved to become who

we are in our professional stance. It involves our values, attitudes, and beliefs of how we think,

act, and respond to situations in a social work setting. Who we become and what field of practice

we choose determines our path in the helping process. In this literature review, we will define

what professional identity development means and the roles social workers practice. It will also

define the skills, knowledge, values, attitudes, and beliefs one develops as a social worker and

organizations and resources available for becoming more knowledgeable in their field of

practice.

Keywords: professional identity, socialization, knowledge, social work skills,

organizations
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Professional Identity and Professional Socialization

In defining professional identity development, we determine who we are as a professional

provider and what our goals are in the helping profession. In the social work profession, it is our

commitment to be involved in a micro, macro, and mezzo level of practice. As a social worker, it

is important to have knowledge of cultural awareness, self-awareness, and the knowledge of

beliefs and values of cultural others. Social workers put the interest of others above self and use

their knowledge to help those in need when addressing their social problems (NASW, 2010). It

exemplifies our commitment to the helping profession by interacting with not only the client but

also with the environment from which one cometh from. In this aspect, behaviors are observed

and the norms and attitudes of others are also looked upon in reference to the social interactions

of professional practitioners in the professional setting (Colbeck, 2008).

Professional socialization is when a person acquires certain norms such as skills,

knowledge, values, attitudes, and beliefs to become professional in their professional roles. It

involves having the skills necessary to be socialized in the profession and the experience needed

to have ethical decision making skills. The developmental skills of a social worker are the

internalization of the norms we practice and the values we possess in the professional

environment is highly regarded in the social worker’s development (Varley, 1963). Learning new

skills on a technical level, acquiring new behavior patterns, reorganizing one’s own self-image

are all important in socialization (Varley, 1963). Professional socialization and social education

are such an integral part of one another that our formal education and training seem to just

happen in a blink of an eye (West, Miller, & Leitch, 2010). Not only is our professional identity

a foundation in social work development but the understanding of the socialization in text is a
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groundwork for the social work profession as well. Professional socialization is essential and is

established to be considered a positive and vital process in the social work profession (West,

Miller, & Leitch, 2010).

Professional Identity of Social Worker in Hospice

“Once an individual has accepted and internalized expectations for a role as part of his or

her identity, that identity becomes a cognitive framework for interpreting new experiences”

(Colbeck, 2008). When working in hospice care, it is essential for the social worker to have

empathy and an understanding of family involvement. In this social work setting, the social

worker works with the client and the family. The goal of hospice is to provide services for

terminally ill patients who are probably expected to die in a timely manner. Most patients are

moved to hospice when they are expected to die within the next six months. The role of the

social worker is to provide counseling for the patients in dealing with dying and grief. Working

with individuals and families, the micro level, involves case management, mental health therapy,

and family therapy (Forenza & Eckert, 2017). They also assist with helping the family deal with

the dying process as well. The social worker serves as a mediator in reconciling differences and

communicating between doctor and patient. They also serve as an advocate on behalf of the

patient and the family. In the hospice profession, they serve as a planner also in organizing

discharge and helping clients navigate through systems needed in the helping process (NASW,

2010).

Among people in the social system, meanings are conveyed by role labels that come from

the infinite interactions amongst others and the expectations for behavior that have evolved from

those interactions (Colbeck, 2008). The responsibilities of the social worker involves making

assessments, educating clients, providing psychotherapy and coordinating care for patients to
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determine their needs such as support systems and resources. It is detrimental in the roles

provided by social workers to have a sense of understanding and be thorough in their roles of

their professional identity. When it comes to clients and their impending death, the social worker

must portray knowledge and understanding of their professional roles in order for services to be

rendered.

Professional Identity of Knowledge, Values, and Skills Needed in Hospice Care

When one makes the decision to work in hospice as a social worker, they possess certain

skills and knowledge needed in order to perform the social work duties. The professional identity

they have acquired will come into play in the hospice setting. The social worker needs to have an

understanding of Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurances that may be provided for each

individual client. This is important in knowing what plan of action can be afforded to each

patient in the hospice setting. A social worker should also demonstrate a knowledge of the

clients’ spiritual and religious decree if there is one the patient conceptualizes. Beyond the

biopsychosocial that is currently being accessed, there is another dimension of human existence

that require social workers to have the ability and knowledge for working with diverse clients

(Sheridan & Hemert, 1999). Religion and spiritual beliefs are a part of the transitioning at the

end of life and the practices vary amongst culturally diverse clients, therefor it is important for

social workers to have knowledge and skills needed to work in an effective manner with each

client (Sheridan & Hemert, 1999). Some of the other roles crucial in the health care setting

include palliative care, biopsychosocial-spiritual assessment, crisis intervention, and client

concordance with and adherence to the plan of care (NASW, 2010). Having empathy and open-

mindedness to each client and their plight encompasses the values and ethics required to fully
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fulfill their professional identity roles and the skills needed to interact on a social level with each

individual accordingly.

Professional Identity Organizations and Resources

There are many available resources for a social worker to become more knowledgeable in

the area of hospice. When working in the hospice setting, lots of the patients may be suffering

from cancer related illnesses. The social worker can become certified in working with oncology

patients which will allow them to move up the salary level and give them the opportunity to

become an oncology hospice worker. A certified oncology social worker should demonstrate to

accrediting organizations such as Joint Commission on Accreditation, Healthcare Organizations,

and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that the social worker complies with the ethics

and standards to bring certainty that quality services are delivered to all (NASW, 2016).

One organization that advocates for social workers is the National Association of Social

Workers. By becoming a member, social workers can apply for specialty credentials. In the

hospice setting, certified oncology only requires a bachelor’s of social work degree from an

accredited university. Another organization that inspires growth in oncological social work

services is the Zelda Foster’s Studies Program. The goal of this program is to mentor students in

the field of social work and develop emerging leaders in the research, publication, and

administration in the clinical practice setting (Damaskos & Gerbino, 2014). The program was

named in honor of Zelda Foster, who was a pioneer in palliative care and hospice. The Zelda

Foster’s Studies purpose is to enable social workers to provide patient-centered care along the

continuum of disease while working within interdisciplinary teams (Damaskos & Gerbino,

2014). These and other programs set the groundwork for continuing education and provides the

opportunity to further their skills and identity along the social work continuum.
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Conclusion

This literature review focused on professional identity development and socialization in

the field of social work. It also explored the knowledge, skills, and values one must portray in

order to become a successful social worker. When looking at the role of a social worker in the

hospice setting, it is essential to have a sense of empathy and skills needed in order to carry out

the terms of a patient at the end of life. Acquiring knowledge and developing an identity in the

health care environment is the groundwork for becoming a hospice provider. For someone who

is certified in oncology, it is essential to have an understanding of the important aspects in

providing quality care for the hospice client. There are many organizations for which one can

obtain a certificate and exemplify the roles and their skills of practice in order to obtain an

understanding and a support from fellow peers which is the goal of furthering their career. As

one begins to move into the role of their identity, it is then we can begin to find the professional

that has many skills to offer in order to provide services rendered in the social work profession.

References

Colbeck, Carol L. (2008) Professional identity development theory and doctoral education. New

Directions for Teaching and Learning, (113), 9-16

http://www.academia.edu/download/55636522

Damaskos, P., & Gerbino, S. (2014) Introduction to the special issue: coping with chronic

cancer. Clinical Approaches for Oncology Social Work Practice, (53), 1-4

https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2013.842201

Forenza, B., & Eckert, C. (2018) Social work identity: A profession in context. Social Work,

(63), 17-26 https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swx052

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NASW (2010) National association of social workers. https://www.socialworkers.org

NASW (2016) National association of social workers. Code of Ethics.

https://www.socialworkers.org

Sheridan, M., & Amato-von Hemert, K. (1999) The role of religion and spirituality in social

work education and practice: a survey of student views and experiences. Journal of Social Work

Education, (35), 125-141 http://www.jstor.org/stable/23043449

West, A., Miller, S., & Leitch, J. (2016) Professional socialization and attitudes towards

interprofessional collaboration among graduate social work and health professions students.

Advances In Social Work, 17 (2), 134-150 https://doi:10.18060/19809

Varley, B. (1963) Socialization in social work education. Social Work, 8 (3), 102-109

https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/8.3.102