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Social workers have big hearts, tough jobs
The Dallas Morning News, Wednesday, April 7, 2004, by Rae DeShong
Social work often entails dealing with people in crisis. The job can be draining, but it's also one that makes a difference. And there is constant demand for those who are well-trained.
The Department of Labor predicts that the social work field will grow through at least 2012, and the National Association of Social Workers lists more than 35 areas of specialization.
Social workers can be found in settings ranging from child placement services to health care systems to the criminal justice system.
They work in nonprofit and for-profit organizations, aid agencies, mental health clinics, addiction-recovery programs and protective services.
Doris Marshall works at Hope Cottage Pregnancy and Adoption Services with families in the international adoption program.
"Adoption isn't just a process of, 'Let's fill out the paperwork and let's go,'" said Marshall, who has a master's of social work from Louisiana State University. Couples or families must be ready to take that step, and her job includes assessing home environments, states of mind and family stability.
Dealing with people going through a tough time _ whether it's woman thinking about placing a child for adoption or a couple who can't conceive and wishes to adopt _ requires a steady hand. Delivering bad news is a tough part of her job, but she's been doing it for 30 years.
"Working with someone in crisis isn't easy," Marshall said.
Crisis can also be part of Jenni Burnes' 7 a.m.-to-3:30 p.m. day, which includes working the emergency room at Parkland Health & Hospital System. She regularly sees trauma and assault victims, homeless patients, children and the elderly. The emergency room averages about 300 patients a day, and the wait can last eight hours, she said.
The first thing she does is check the emergency room census, which tells her who's been admitted and who's waiting for admission. Burnes then identifies high-risk patients and assesses their needs.
"It's a challenge, but every day is a new day," she said. "It's never the same."
Burnes, who has a master's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, said her job is to make sure patients' families have been contacted and to arrange rehabilitation services and nursing home placements. Licensed social workers must regularly meet state requirements, which include completing 15 continuing education hours a year. Additional hours may be required for those who work in child placement services such as Hope Cottage.
Although the industry norm is that employees in the social work field have a master's degree, some employers may not require one.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services hires people with bachelor's degrees, who in turn certify through the state and have continuing education requirements.
Shannon Carpenter has an education degree, and in April will have worked four years in Dallas County's Adult Protection Services. The job focuses on the elderly and on mentally disabled people ages 18 to 65, and it has an investigative component.
Carpenter said his cases are among the worst: neglected adults with dementia and mentally ill adults who are being abused.
He said the job is hard, with a high burnout rate, but setting boundaries between work and home is helpful. Carpenter said a genuine concern for the public, a strong stomach and a calm demeanor are common traits he's seen in successful colleagues.
"You worry about these people constantly, but the biggest thing is not to get frustrated."
Marshall is involved in hiring at Hope Cottage and looks for someone with a master's degree and strong clinical training.
Having an understanding of diverse populations, a support system and stamina are necessary, Burnes said.
"I'm making a real difference," Carpenter said. "You see injustice and you see people hurting, but you get to help them make a better life."
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