The career as social and human service assistants includes working as assistants under the supervision of other social workers .Social work assistants provide help to the people in their everyday problem. Social and human service assistants are also called as social work assistants, human service assistants, community support worker, life skills counselors or gerontology aide.
The social work assistants help people of all ages, and background. Thus their clients are mostly:-
Tasks:-
In the career as social and human service assistants, the tasks that are carried out are as follows:-
Qualification:-
For the career as social and human service assistants the basic qualification needed for most of the jobs is a bachelor's degree. However, some of the employers prefer candidates with education beyond high school and relevant work experience. The certification or master's degree in subjects such as social work, counseling, human services, gerontology, or any other related subjects is also accepted.
Other necessary skills:-
To enter the career as social and human service assistants, the social work assistants should have the following skills:-
Place of work:-
The place of work in the career as social and human service assistants varies according to the type of work. Most of the time social work assistants work in clinics, hospitals, or other health service centers. Others also work in local, state and central government agencies. They have to travel extensively to visit the clients or other service centers. Most of the social work assistants work for 40 hours a week, but working for longer hours is common in this career.
Job Opportunities:-
The career as social and human services assistants has wide scope in different areas.
The different employers that employ social work assistants are given below:-
Remuneration:-
The salary in the career as social and human service assistants is good. However, the salary also depends on the education, employer, years of experience and performance. The social work assistants working in state, local and central government agencies get handsome salaries as compared to other social work assistants. On the other hand, the private social service centers pay considerably less as they have to depend on the government for funds. Some of the social work assistants may also work for charity and do not expect salary and just work for the betterment of the society.
Job Progress:-
In the career as social and human service assistants, the social work assistants in the beginning of their career are given smaller cases and clients with minor problems or offered part-time jobs. Some of the candidates are also given training and are monitored by supervisors. After the training, the social work assistants trainees are made permanent on their jobs. The candidates with a master's degree and experience in social work, psychology, human services, or counseling are considered for higher -level jobs. Those with experience are given critical cases and clients who have major problems. Others with leadership qualities can become supervisors, administrators, head of the department, or director of a particular agency or social service center.
Employment forecast:-
The employment growth in the career as human and social service assistants is expected to grow more rapidly in the future. The demand for social services especially in heath services, adult day care, meal delivery, and sheltering homeless people is supposed to increase. Thus the demand for social work assistants will increase directly. The increase in population and increase in poverty, and number of diseases will increase the health related problems, basic needs problems and other social problems. Thus the social and human services assistants will be needed in large numbers to help the population.