Career Details :: Social and Human Service Assistants
Description
Assist professionals from a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, to provide client services, as well as support for families. May assist clients in identifying available benefits and social and community services and help clients obtain them. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or adult daycare.
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.
Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
Tasks
- Visits individuals in homes or attends group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, and procedures.
- Interviews individuals and family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.
- Advises clients regarding food stamps, child care, food, money management, sanitation, and housekeeping.
- Provides information on and refers individuals to public or private agencies and community services for assistance.
- Assists in locating housing for displaced individuals.
- Monitors free, supplementary meal program to ensure cleanliness of facility and that eligibility guidelines are met for persons receiving meals.
- Observes clients' food selections and recommends alternate economical and nutritional food choices.
- Meets with youth groups to acquaint them with consequences of delinquent acts.
- Keeps records and prepares reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
- Submits to and reviews reports and problems with superior.
- Informs tenants of facilities, such as laundries and playgrounds.
- Demonstrates use and care of equipment for tenant use.
- Explains rules established by owner or management, such as sanitation and maintenance requirements and parking regulations.
- Transports and accompanies clients to shopping area and to appointments, using automobile.
- Oversees day-to-day group activities of residents in institution.
- Consults with supervisor concerning programs for individual families.
- Cares for children in client's home during client's appointments.
- Observes and discusses meal preparation and suggests alternate methods of food preparation.
- Assists in planning of food budget, utilizing charts and sample budgets.
- Assists clients with preparation of forms, such as tax or rent forms.
Related Careers
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Occupational Therapists
- Personal and Home Care Aides
- Residential Advisors
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Establishing & Maintaining Relationships
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Communicating With Persons Outside Organization
- Communicating With Other Workers
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Job-Required Social Interaction
- Objective or Subjective Information
- Provide a Service to Others
- Frustrating Circumstances
- Consequence of Error
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.