Social work

Types of social workers making a difference in the world

Studying social work provides students with the knowledge, skills and values to apply across contexts, communities and populations. However, there are various specialties social workers can pursue throughout their career. Check out these seven types of social workers that help specific populations.

1. Substance abuse social worker

Substance abuse social workersOpens a New Window. work in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities to assist those struggling with addiction, substance abuse or mental health problems. They work to provide short- and long-term solutions, offering resources and assessing everything from discharge plans to medicinal options.

By providing stability and support, this type of social worker helps individuals explore ways to overcome their addiction or work through an acute mental condition and ultimately lead as healthy a life as possible.

2. Community social worker

Community social workersOpens a New Window. help plan, coordinate and organize efforts related to specific local populations. They also work with community-based nonprofit organizations to help counsel families and neighborhoods in the wake of tragedies and natural disasters.

These professionals also work to solve local issues through community outreach, applying to grants and speaking with local politicians. They may work for advocacy groupsOpens a New Window., aid organizations or government agencies.

3. Hospice & palliative care social worker

When a family receives the devastating news of a terminal illness or a bleak prognosis, hospice and palliative care social workers can help ease the agony of the painful process for all involved. This type of social worker helps care for someone who is seriously or terminally ill, helping to provide pain relief, assist with difficult decision-making and improve quality of life for patients.

Their services go beyond the patients themselves, however, and also extend to patients’ family and friends. They assist these individuals with the trauma associated with having a sick loved one. Hospice and palliative care social workersOpens a New Window. help patients and their families navigate the last stages of life — and the realities of what is left behind for families.

4. Military & veterans social worker

A military and veterans social workerOpens a New Window. can help soldiers, either veteran or active duty, work through their feelings and adjust to life and family outside combat. The stress of military duty can cause turmoil within the lives of soldiers and their families. Many return from duty with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), guilt over actions in combat, terrible nightmares or even boredom with everyday life.

Whether helping soldiers who have just been deployed or those returning home after time served overseas, military and veterans social workers specialize in providing support to soldiers and their families for post-traumatic stress, role adjustments, the implications and stressors of returning home, and the substance abuse that may occur as a result of combat.

5. Child, family & school social worker

The child, family and school social workerOpens a New Window.handles all sorts of situations involving youth. They may help a child who has experienced trauma or abuse, or assist parents in acquiring resources for their child who is suffering from a mental illness.

Those working in a school setting help identify and overcome obstacles that interfere with learning. Whether it’s counseling students through the loss of a peer, helping to bridge the gap between school and home life, or resolving behavioral issues, these professionals are employed to support children and help them thrive.

6. Psychiatric social worker

For patients who have received mental health services in a hospital setting, it might be difficult for them or their family members to know where to turn after hospitalization. That’s where a psychiatric social workerOpens a New Window. can help.

These social workers provide therapy and assess the psychiatric health of their patients. They work with the individual’s family to make referrals, provide resources, and understand legalities and long-term care options.

A psychiatric social worker ensures patients are discharged only when ready and can further assist by providing mental health assessments or therapy. In a world of confusing procedures and legal ramifications, a psychiatric social worker can make things easy to understand and much less stressful for patients and their loved ones.

7. Healthcare social worker

Healthcare social workersOpens a New Window. are found within the healthcare industry and help patients navigate the emotional, physical and financial hardships associated with serious medical conditions. Patients that are in and out of hospitals with chronic or terminal medical conditions may be overwhelmed with turmoil. They and their family may not know what to expect. They may not understand the breadth of treatment and end-of-life care options. They may need financial guidance or connections with religious leaders in the area.

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