Social Worker

Work setting

• Business and/or industry
• Urban area
• Community service organization
• Various locations
• Work in employer's/client's home
• Social and family service agency
• Health care institution, facility or clinic
• Mental health institution, facility or clinic
• Rehabilitation centre and special health institution
• Child Welfare Organization
• Hospital

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Interview clients to assess their situation and determine the types of services required and eligibility
• Supervise other social workers, paid para-professional staff, student trainees and volunteers
• Perform administrative tasks
• Plan programs of assistance for clients
• Refer clients to agencies that provide financial assistance, legal aid, housing, medical treatment and other services
• Investigate cases of child abuse or neglect and take authorized protective action when necessary
• Serve as a member of an interdisciplinary team working with a client group
• Act as an advocate for client groups in the community
• Conduct social research
• Apply for social program funding
• Administer tests
• Deliver presentations at conferences, workshops or symposia
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling and social programs
• Develop prevention and intervention programs to meet community needs

Supervision

• Working groups
• Committees
• Staff in various areas of responsibility

Credentials

Certificates, licences, memberships, and courses 

• Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor Certification
• Mental health first aid Certificate
• Provincial certificate of registration
• Membership in a provincial association of social workers
• Membership with the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW)

Experience and specialization

Target audience

• Adolescents
• Adults
• Developmentally delayed
• Elderly
• Females
• Males
• Minority group
• People with personal or social adjustment difficulty
• Persons with an intellectual disability
• Persons with physical disabilities
• Psychiatric
• Social assistance recipient
• Abused adults
• Family
• People who require psychiatric care

Social work specialization

• Child welfare
• Community development
• Health
• Personal adjustment
• Socio-economic needs or conditions

Additional information

Security and safety

• Bondable
• Criminal record check
• Child welfare check
• Adult Abuse Registry check
• Vulnerable sector check

Work conditions and physical capabilities

• Fast-paced environment
• Work under pressure
• Tight deadlines
• Attention to detail
• Large workload
• Large caseload
• Combination of sitting, standing, walking

Personal suitability

• Client focus
• Dependability
• Efficient interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral communication
• Excellent written communication
• Flexibility
• Interpersonal awareness
• Judgement
• Organized
• Reliability
• Team player
• Values and ethics

Benefits

Health benefits

• Dental plan
• Health care plan
• Paramedical services coverage

Financial benefits

• Group insurance benefits
• Life insurance
• Mileage paid