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Social work is a "people" career, meaning that the work social workers do
involves helping people overcome or relieve problems in their lives. Some social
workers work directly with individuals, families and groups; others work with
communities, organizations and systems. Social workers use their professional
knowledge and skills to help people make the fullest use of their abilities.
Social workers are found in many different settings and work with people of
all ages and backgrounds. The main areas of employment are:
- Aging - Nursing Homes, Senior Centers, Hospitals
- Addictions
and Substance Misuse ? Treatment Centers, Residential Programs,
Schools
- Child Welfare ? Day
Care Centers, Children's Services, Juvenile Court, Adoption and Foster
Care Programs
- Health ? Hospitals,
Health Depts., Hospice, Home Health Agencies, Clinics, Nursing Homes
- Mental Health ? Counseling
Centers, Hospitals
- Private Practice
- School Social Work
St. Rita's employs approximately 40 full and part time social workers throughout
and outside of the Medical Center . Social workers work alongside patients,
doctors, nurses and other professionals to provide help where it may be needed.
Some workers are employed in specialty areas such as dialysis and oncology,
while others work with a specific age population such as children or the elderly.
Social workers also use their skills and expertise in making sure that programs
and services the Medical Center provides are helpful and available to everyone.
A bachelor's degree in social work is generally required for entry-level positions.
A master's degree is required to provide therapy in an advanced setting. Most
states require social workers to be licensed or certified, which involves meeting
the necessary educational requirements and passing a licensing examination.
A person interested in becoming a social worker should have good communication
skills (both oral and written), have respect for and acceptance of differences
in people and their lifestyles, and be flexible in handling many different
problem situations.
The National Association of Social Workers has a variety of Web sites that
can provide information related to the profession. Recommended Web sites are:
Area colleges and universities that provide a social work curriculum include:
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