Searching

Career Exploration

Social and Human Service Assistants

Also called: Advocate, Clinical Assistant, Social Work Associate, Social Worker Assistant

What they do:

Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.

On the job, you would:
  • Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
  • Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
  • Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service
  • administrative services

Math and Science

  • psychology
  • sociology and anthropology

Health

  • therapy and counseling

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Social

  • understanding people's reactions
  • looking for ways to help people

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems

Social

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Concern for Others
  • Cooperation
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Data base user interface and query software

  • Database software
  • Microsoft Access

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Medical software

  • MEDITECH software
  • PointClickCare healthcare software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $38,520

Education

Bachelor's degree or associate's degree is usually needed.