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Social Worker
Social Workers provide individuals, families or vulnerable populations with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses, such as Alzheimer's, cancer, or AIDS.
Services include advising family care givers, providing patient education and counseling, and making necessary referrals for other social services.
Social Workers duties include
- Collaborating with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
- Investigating child abuse or neglect cases and take authorized protective action when necessary.
- Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.
- Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.
- Organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient.
- Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.
- Identify environmental impediments to client or patient progress through interviews and review of patient records.
- Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.
- Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in clients' status.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
Minimum Matric Points Required:
University of KZN - 30 points
University of Johannesburg - 25 with Maths; 26 with Math Literacy
It is important to know the conditions Social Workers have to work in. Good organisations to be involved in are:
Lifeline: http://www.lifeline.org.za/default.aspx?link=give_help_volunteer or contact Debbie Richards on 011-715-2000.
Rape Crisis: http://www.rapecrisis.org.za/index.php/about-rape-crisis/our-approach
St Luke's Hospice: http://www.stlukes.co.za/ or contact Dawn on 021 797 5335
Police Station Counselling: http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/directories/services/11460/9598 or contact the station commander of your nearest police station
Useful Information
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Career Snapshot Social Worker |
In Demand
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Qualification Required |
Work Outdoors |
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Maths Required |
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Science Required |
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This is a general guide - it is important to check admission requirements with the various training institutions first because entry requirements may vary.
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