Social and Human Service Assistants

Career Overview

Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.

Also Known As

• Advocate
• Clinical Assistant
• Social Work Associate
• Social Worker Assistant

Alternate Job Titles

• Addictions Counselor Assistant
• Advocate
• Case Aide
• Case Management Assistant
• Case Management Coordinator
• Case Work Aide
• Certified Peer Specialist
• Child Advocate
• Child and Youth Care Practitioner
• Children's Aide
• Client Advocate
• Clinical Assistant
• Clinical Social Work Aide
• Community Advocate
• Community Aide

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
• Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
• Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
• Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
• Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.
• Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.
• Provide information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

• Teach parenting techniques to family members.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Customer and Personal Service
• Psychology
• Therapy and Counseling
• English Language

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Active Listening
2. Speaking
3. Social Perceptiveness
4. Service Orientation
5. Reading Comprehension
6. Coordination
7. Writing
8. Critical Thinking
9. Monitoring

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Expression
• Oral Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Speech Clarity
• Written Expression
• Speech Recognition
• Inductive Reasoning
• Fluency of Ideas

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Empathy
• Cooperation
• Dependability
• Social Orientation
• Sincerity

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Relationships
• Support
• Independence
• Achievement
• Working Conditions

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• MEDITECH software
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

• 10-key calculators
• Amplified telephones
• Computer laser printers
• Desktop computers
• Hearing impaired telephones
• Laptop computers
• Laser facsimile machines
• Multi-line telephone systems
• Passenger vehicles
• Personal computers
• Photocopying equipment

Work Environment

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Contact With Others
• E-Mail
• Telephone Conversations
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$33,280
Median	$45,120
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$63,850

Workers Employed Nationally: 424,220

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.