21-1023.00 Bright Outlook

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

Career Cluster:Healthcare & Human Services
Job Family:Community and Social Service
Job Zone:Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
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Technology Tools

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WordAdobe Acrobat

Key Tasks

  • Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
  • Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
  • Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
  • Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
  • Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
  • Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
  • Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
  • Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources.
  • Counsel or aid family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting the client or patient.
  • Increase social work knowledge by reviewing current literature, conducting social research, or attending seminars, training workshops, or classes.
  • Refer patient, client, or family to community resources for housing or treatment to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness, following through to ensure service efficacy.
  • Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse, combat social problems, or improve health or counseling services in community.
  • Develop or advise on social policy or assist in community development.

Skills

Social Perceptiveness
81%
Speaking
78%
Active Listening
78%
Reading Comprehension
75%
Monitoring
75%
Critical Thinking
75%
Service Orientation
72%
Complex Problem Solving
72%
Coordination
72%
Persuasion
69%
Writing
69%
Learning Strategies
69%
Judgment and Decision Making
63%
Negotiation
60%
Instructing
56%
Time Management
56%
Systems Analysis
56%
Active Learning
56%
Management of Personnel Resources
50%
Systems Evaluation
47%
Science
41%
Operations Analysis
38%
Mathematics
25%
Operations Monitoring
25%
Programming
22%
Management of Material Resources
22%
Management of Financial Resources
22%
Quality Control Analysis
22%
Technology Design
19%
Operation and Control
10%
Troubleshooting
0%
Repairing
0%
Installation
0%
Equipment Selection
0%
Equipment Maintenance
0%

Knowledge

Therapy and Counseling
96%
Psychology
92%
English Language
73%
Customer and Personal Service
70%
Education and Training
67%
Sociology and Anthropology
65%
Public Safety and Security
58%
Medicine and Dentistry
51%
Philosophy and Theology
50%
Administration and Management
50%
Administrative
49%
Law and Government
49%
Computers and Electronics
45%
Communications and Media
41%
Personnel and Human Resources
39%
Transportation
21%
Mathematics
20%
Telecommunications
20%
Biology
19%
Foreign Language
13%
Geography
12%
Sales and Marketing
12%
History and Archeology
11%
Chemistry
9%
Fine Arts
8%
Economics and Accounting
6%
Mechanical
3%
Food Production
3%
Engineering and Technology
3%
Production and Processing
3%
Design
2%
Building and Construction
2%
Physics
0%

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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
88%
Oral Expression
81%
Problem Sensitivity
78%
Written Comprehension
78%
Written Expression
78%
Speech Clarity
75%
Deductive Reasoning
75%
Inductive Reasoning
75%
Speech Recognition
72%
Fluency of Ideas
72%
Category Flexibility
69%
Information Ordering
69%
Originality
69%
Near Vision
56%
Flexibility of Closure
56%
Selective Attention
53%
Memorization
44%
Speed of Closure
44%
Perceptual Speed
44%
Far Vision
41%
Auditory Attention
41%
Time Sharing
41%
Mathematical Reasoning
38%
Hearing Sensitivity
31%
Number Facility
28%
Visual Color Discrimination
28%
Visualization
25%
Trunk Strength
25%
Reaction Time
22%
Static Strength
22%
Explosive Strength
22%
Gross Body Equilibrium
22%
Response Orientation
22%
Gross Body Coordination
22%
Stamina
16%
Finger Dexterity
16%
Wrist-Finger Speed
6%
Extent Flexibility
3%
Depth Perception
3%
Multilimb Coordination
3%
Speed of Limb Movement
3%
Dynamic Strength
3%
Manual Dexterity
3%
Sound Localization
0%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
0%
Night Vision
0%
Peripheral Vision
0%
Spatial Orientation
0%
Control Precision
0%
Glare Sensitivity
0%
Rate Control
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%

Work Activities

Documenting/Recording Information
89%
Assisting and Caring for Others
89%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
89%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
87%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
86%
Getting Information
84%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
83%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
80%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
80%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
80%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
79%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
79%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
78%
Processing Information
76%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
75%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
74%
Thinking Creatively
73%
Scheduling Work and Activities
72%
Working with Computers
72%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
71%
Training and Teaching Others
70%
Coaching and Developing Others
68%
Analyzing Data or Information
64%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
63%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
60%
Developing and Building Teams
53%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
52%
Performing Administrative Activities
51%
Selling or Influencing Others
46%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
41%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
41%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
36%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
26%
Staffing Organizational Units
23%
Performing General Physical Activities
22%
Handling and Moving Objects
18%
Controlling Machines and Processes
18%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
16%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
12%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
11%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
8%

Work Context

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

99%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

97%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

95%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

95%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

91%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

87%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

85%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

84%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

81%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

77%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

76%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

73%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

67%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

67%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

65%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

63%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

63%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

63%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

58%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

57%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

56%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

50%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

48%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

48%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

47%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

45%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

44%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

42%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

36%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

33%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

30%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

30%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

26%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

26%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

26%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

25%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

19%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

14%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

14%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

11%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

11%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

6%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

5%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

4%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

3%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

3%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

0%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

0%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

0%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

0%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

0%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

0%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

0%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

0%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

0%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

0%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

0%

Education

Master's degree

77%

Bachelor's degree

19%

Post-master's certificate

4%

Interests

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

99

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

51

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

34

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

30

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

24

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

12

Work Styles

Empathy
100%
Cooperation
97%
Sincerity
96%
Dependability
89%
Social Orientation
86%
Stress Tolerance
84%
Optimism
83%
Self-Control
71%
Integrity
70%
Adaptability
67%
Attention to Detail
67%
Initiative
61%
Intellectual Curiosity
56%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
54%
Achievement Orientation
53%
Perseverance
53%
Humility
47%
Self-Confidence
46%
Cautiousness
45%
Innovation
41%
Leadership Orientation
41%

Work Values

Achievement
83%
Relationships
83%
Independence
72%
Support
61%
Working Conditions
56%
Recognition
50%

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