Should I Consider Becoming a Social Worker in New Jersey?

Should I Consider Becoming a Social Worker in New Jersey?

Feb 13, 2015 | 9:00 am

Social workers in New Jersey specialize in areas that range from school crisis counselors to hospital case managers. Opportunities for this type of work span great variety in nature. Due to the number of hospitals and schools in the state of New Jersey, there is always a need for competent professionals in this extremely marketable field.

More about NJ Social Work

Social work in New Jersey cameos in healthcare. The need for medical social workers will only grow with increasing baby boomer issues. With aging populations all over the country, there is a definite rise in need for this type of counseling. Many women in this age bracket are widowed and their needs must be addressed by the social worker professional. Older men may need assistance for relocation and information on services that are available.

In East Orange, New Jersey, the Veterans Administration is always looking for bright individuals with a solid background in social worker skills. Many vets need assistance with benefits and information on what is actually available. This is a growing need and the state of New Jersey is diligently trying to keep up the pace.

Often times, the social worker is a liaison between the physician and the client. There is more of a well-rounded assessment available when a psychotherapist with a Master’s degree can spend time with the patient and dig a little deeper into the psychological issues that the physician may completely overlook.

Facilities for NJ Social Work

Behavioral health and youth service facilities in New Jersey use social workers for intensive in-home counseling for marriage preservation and interest in the children’s foundational well-being. Case management, case documentation, and provider conferences are among the duties of these workers. These types of positions usually require at least a Bachelor’s Degree with some family experience and excellent communication skills.

Maternity services will require individuals with skills to teach young mothers and family members how to provide for their newborns. These applicants must also know a bit about cultural diversity, have knowledge in the different terms of pregnancy and be willing to go into homes of the clients in questionable areas.

Disaster relief victims need counseling in areas of loss. They may be displaced from their homes or may have suffered loss of a loved one in particular circumstances. Social workers will be able to develop a plan to move these clients into the solution for whatever the loss may be. They also stay with these clients as best they can to ensure continuity and comfort.

Social work in New Jersey is all encompassing with many prospects for employment. Employment of social workers is projected to grow 19 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will be driven by increased demand for health care and social services, but will vary by specialty.

These professionals will work with individuals in all situations from housing problems, immigration, social justice, fostering children, and counseling services that cover a myriad of predicaments.

A good social worker will stay detached, but dedicated to help the individuals in need. The training for the social worker is such that he or she already has clinical experience in the field before he or she is able to sit for the exam. These degreed programs ensure that the social worker goes into the trenches with the tools of experience. Formal education insures that the clients they work with get the truly best of all their social work training and experience, which prepares them to be ready for any situation.