clinical-social-worker/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — clinical social worker

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 21-1014.00 (Mental Health Counselors).

Task statements

• [Core] Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
• [Core] Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
• [Core] Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
• [Core] Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
• [Core] Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
• [Core] Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.
• [Core] Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
• [Core] Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
• [Core] Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.
• [Core] Meet with families, probation officers, police, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process.
• [Core] Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.
• [Core] Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients.
• [Core] Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.
• [Core] Plan, organize, or lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation, or social activities for clients.
• [Core] Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' status.
• [Core] Learn about new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies.
• [Core] Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy.
• [Core] Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy.
• [Core] Monitor clients' use of medications.
• [Core] Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health or counseling services.
• [Core] Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.
• [Core] Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.
• [Core] Supervise other counselors, social service staff, assistants, or graduate students.
• [Core] Coordinate or direct employee workshops, courses, or training about mental health issues.
• [Core] Perform crisis interventions with clients.
• [Core] Perform crisis interventions to help ensure the safety of the patients and others.
• [Core] Collaborate with mental health professionals and other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.

Detailed work activities

• Advocate for individual or community needs.
• Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments.
• Collect information about clients.
• Collect information about community health needs.
• Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
• Complete documentation required by programs or regulations.
• Confer with family members to discuss client treatment plans or progress.
• Counsel clients or patients regarding personal issues.
• Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues.
• Counsel family members of clients or patients.
• Develop health assessment methods or programs.
• Develop treatment plans for patients or clients.
• Develop working relationships with others to facilitate program activities.
• Evaluate characteristics of individuals to determine needs or eligibility.
• Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or educational programs.
• Intervene in crisis situations to assist clients.
• Interview clients to gather information about their backgrounds, needs, or progress.
• Lead classes or community events.
• Maintain client information or service records.
• Maintain client records.
• Maintain professional social services knowledge.
• Modify treatment plans to accommodate client needs.
• Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.
• Plan programs to address community health issues.
• Plan programs to address community mental wellness needs.
• Provide basic health care services.
• Provide first aid or rescue assistance in emergencies.
• Refer clients to community or social service programs.
• Respond to emergencies to provide assistance.
• Supervise workers providing client or patient services.
• Teach life skills or strategies to clients or their families.
• Train staff members in social services skills.
• Write reports or evaluations.