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Career Details : Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

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Description

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

Experience

A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Tasks

  • Counsels clients and patients, individually and in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes.
  • Formulates or coordinates program plan for treatment, care, and rehabilitation of client or patient, based on social work experience and knowledge.
  • Counsels family members to assist in understanding, dealing with, and supporting client or patient.
  • Interviews clients, reviews records, and confers with other professionals to evaluate mental or physical condition of client or patient.
  • Monitors, evaluates, and records client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
  • Refers patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness.
  • Modifies treatment plan to comply with changes in client's status.
  • Supervises and directs other workers providing services to client or patient.
  • Plans and conducts programs to prevent substance abuse or improve health and counseling services in community.
  • Intervenes as advocate for client or patient to resolve emergency problems in crisis situation.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Job-Required Social Interaction
    • Objective or Subjective Information
    • Consequence of Error
    • Provide a Service to Others
    • Responsible for Others' Health & Safety

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