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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 21-1022 Medical and Public Health Social Workers
Provide persons, families, or vulnerable populations with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses, such as Alzheimer's, cancer, or AIDS. Services include advising family care givers, providing patient education and counseling, and making necessary referrals for other social services.
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Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
OJT: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Tasks: Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs. Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises. Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education. Investigate child abuse or neglect cases and take authorized protective action when necessary. Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life. Plan discharge from care facility to home or other care facility. Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan. Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in clients' status. Identify environmental impediments to client or patient progress through interviews and review of patient records. Organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient. Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy. Plan and conduct programs to combat social problems, prevent substance abuse, or improve community health and counseling services. Supervise and direct other workers providing services to clients or patients. Oversee Medicaid- and Medicare-related paperwork and recordkeeping in hospitals. Develop or advise on social policy and assist in community development. Conduct social research to advance knowledge in the social work field.
License: License not required.
Outlook: Good
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $16.82   Entry $34,971.00
Mean $23.17   Mean $48,191.00
Experience $26.35 Experience $54,812.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
2,3702,7502951.49
Related Occupations: Postsecondary Institutions With Programs:
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Nurse Midwives
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
Occupational Therapists
Rehabilitation Counselors
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Special Education Teachers, Middle School
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Speech-Language Pathologists
No postsecondary schools reported programs.
Occupational Videos
21-1022.00 Healthcare Social Workers