Nursing home social worker skills for your resume and career

Social workers need to be skillful in documentation in writing case notes, assessments, and good managers of their time. Managing a client's case requires social workers to be diligent and ensure that all required documentation is completed on time and within professional standards. Social workers must also be effective communicators understanding their own power and the multiple professional roles they hold.

Social workers practice in various areas of practice and organizational auspices that may differ in the hard/technical skills that are most important. In general, the hard/technical skills most important can be categorized based on the level of education-BSW (Bachelors of Social Work) versus MSW (Masters of Social Work).

BSW's practice in a range of organizations providing various types of services; however, in general practice in the realm of case management that requires that ability to demonstrate cultural responsiveness, develop an alliance with clients, apply NASW and a state's ethics and professional standards of practice, conduct assessments, and to develop plans to meet a client's goals.

MSW's practice in many areas such as administration, clinical, public policy and advocacy, child welfare, public safety, and health care. Each of these practice areas requires specific technical skills; however, in general, MSW's are trained to assess individuals, families, groups, and communities. To that end, MSW's must understand the cultural context and how socio/economic local, state, federal policies impact social welfare problems such as poverty, intimate partner violence, and mental illness. MSW's must possess strong engagement skills/therapeutic alliance-building, diagnostic/evaluation skills, ethical application of interventions and therapeutic approaches, and advocacy skills.

I advise new graduates to carefully consider their priorities when evaluating their first job opportunities. With numerous career paths and an abundance of job openings, it's essential for them to reflect on factors such as location preference, the social environment, and the support of peers in the workplace. Additionally, they should not overlook practical considerations like transportation and commuting. Articulating what matters most to them, as well as what holds less importance, can assist them in clarifying their career goals and making informed decisions. Moreover, It's crucial for new graduates to recognize the importance of being dependable, reliable, and skilled, and to thoroughly understand the job requirements of the positions they are considering. They should assess how they can achieve success in their careers by reflecting on their strengths and weaknesses. Recognizing areas for further skill development is paramount for professional growth and effectiveness in one's chosen career path. By addressing these areas, individuals can better serve the needs of their clients and communities, fostering success both personally and within their professional endeavors.

Young graduates will need to linked to the host of resources that are available to them. To they will need to continue to be learners and willing to spend the time to hone their craft. Young graduates may need some financial assistance to join professional organizations that offer resources that will keep them on the cutting edge of policy, research and implementation. It is important that young graduates learn how to get and how to use the most current information and not rely solely on colleagues or their school district for information.

For example, the most cutting edge information for teaching students with disabilities in a COVID environment came of professional organizations posting information weekly and not from their employers. These organizations have been responsive to questions from educators and supportive of innovation from teachers. Young graduates are already technologically advanced and they know how to learn independently in some cases. We anticipate that they will be able generalize these skills into teaching practices for their own students. Young graduates must be knowledgeable in the content areas, but social emotional learning and trauma informed practices will be essential.