How To Become A Human Services Assistant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a human services assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.

Human service assistants work alongside licensed human service professionals, such as social workers and mental health counselors, to help the public access the services they need. They may be responsible for a wide range of tasks, such as scheduling appointments, talking with patients, or handling case management duties.

As a human service assistant, you need to know the relevant terminology in this field and impeccable communication and interpersonal skills.

You may also find that this position has alternative titles, including but not limited to social work assistant, gerontology aide, client advocate. For most jobs, you might need a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Some employers require a certificate or degree in a related area, such as social work, sociology, or psychology.

What general advice would you give to a human services assistant?

Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.

Dr., Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology, Vanguard University

Opportunities come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are still out there. Whether you are seeking to land a job in education or the non-profit sector, you will need to familiarize yourself and get used to all things digital, for the sake of communicating effectively. The younger your student or service partner's mindset, the more digitally savvy you will need to be, especially in the classroom and in the non-profit world.

ScoreHuman Services AssistantUS Average

Salary

2.3

Avg. Salary $29,921

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.9

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.79%

Asian 5.95%

Black or African American 16.02%

Hispanic or Latino 14.56%

Unknown 4.86%

White 56.81%

Gender

female 75.85%

male 24.15%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a human services assistant

Explore human services assistant education requirements

Most common human services assistant degrees

Bachelor's

36.1 %

High School Diploma

24.3 %

Associate

22.6 %

Start to develop specific human services assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Developmental Disabilities	14.91%
Patients	14.09%
Social Work	10.55%
Direct Supervision	5.40%
Direct Care	5.06%

Complete relevant human services assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New human services assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a human services assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real human services assistant resumes.

Research human services assistant duties and responsibilities

Manage client medical data in accordance with HIPPA guidelines.
Assist residents with ADL's, social interactions, meals.
Provide care (ADL's) -serve trays/shower, escort clients/court/cafeteria, monitor ward checks/precautions/restraints/behavior/safety, census, orient new admissions.
Assist individuals in the participation of leisure-time activities and recreation as appropriate including anything outline in the individuals IP.

Prepare your human services assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your human services assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a human services assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable human services assistant resume templates

Build a professional human services assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your human services assistant resume.

Apply for human services assistant jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a human services assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do human services assistants rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Human services assistant reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2024

Cons

Stressful, dangerous neighborhoods, sometimes parents are dangerous as well. Work life balance isn't good. Documentation is very time consuming and you will bring that home to finish. If your agency requires that you do your app recorded time sheets then that will prove ardously time consuming constaint that cuts right into your work/home life balance...it's terrible. Wear and tear on your car, no shows from parents upsetting children and paid mileage is horrible. Get ready to barely have a life.

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019

Pros

The individual's are entertaining and loving. They do have their moments like any other person but when the individuals are having a good day it shows. They always look for validation from the staff when they are doing a good job. There is always something different to expect everyday. You really have to love what you do because it can be stressful but also rewarding.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019