How to Become a Social Work Assistant

Wondering where to start when it comes to pursuing a role as a social work assistant, as well as the necessary steps needed to take your capabilities to the next level? If so, our team is here to outline the process in its entirety, as well as what to expect along the way.

Review our complete guide to learn more about how to become a social work assistant and how the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology’s online psychology and behavioral health degree can help you.

Key Facts to Know About the Social Work Assistant Career

What Is a Social Work Assistant?

Social work assistants operate under the guidance of social workers and psychologists in government institutions, rehabilitation centers, and nursing care facilities, among other areas. Just some of the key responsibilities of a social work assistant include the following:

• Assessing various clients and deciphering the kind of assistance they need
• Working alongside social workers to determine treatment plans for patients
• Assisting clients and their families with day-to-day tasks
• Documenting ongoing client behavior and conducting regular check-ins
• Helping clients fill out paperwork to apply for aid or community services

Ultimately, the goal of a social work assistant is to provide ongoing aid to patients and their families as they navigate crucial undertakings that can span the fields of psychology, social work, recovery, and beyond.

4 Steps to Become a Social Work Assistant

1. Decide Whether a Career in Social Work Is Right for You

Before even considering how to become a social work assistant, it’s incredibly important to evaluate whether this long-lasting, rewarding career will be the right fit for your future. That’s why our team recommends that potential students possess the following skills going into an undergraduate program:

Additionally, students wanting to pursue a social work assistant career must earn a high school diploma to be considered. If these prerequisites align with your current skill sets and goals, then read on to learn more about how you can start pursuing these interests in a collegiate setting.

2. Complete an Undergraduate Program

Now that you’ve determined that the career is the best fit for you, it’s time to begin the steps to become a social work assistant. This includes enrolling in a comprehensive undergraduate program that is going to fully prepare you to excel in the social work position of your choosing after graduating with your degree.

At the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, we offer an online psychology and behavioral health degree for students that covers issues such as mental health, social problems, and behavioral justice. Plus, this 100% online program includes:

• Information on various techniques to help individuals cope with concerns that directly affect their lives, like substance abuse, domestic violence, disability, and beyond
• Numerous areas of focus, which can include ongoing instruction in counseling, social work, and psychology
• Classes that aid in developing a further understanding of how a person’s mental health continually evolves and affects their self-image and behavior

Along with all of the outlined program objectives, students will have the opportunity to blend their studies with real-world applications which will help them fully prepare for a career as a social work assistant. Reach out to our team today for more information about our online psychology assistant degree.

3. Gain Further Experience

Along with pursuing your undergraduate degree, it’s important to gain further experience within the field so you can develop distinctive skills that differentiate you from your peers. With that in mind, some of the extracurriculars that our team recommends include the following:

Though just one of the many steps to becoming a social work assistant, engaging in extracurricular activities can deepen your interests, as well as the advancement of your career after receiving your degree.

4. Start Applying for Entry-Level Positions

Some common occupations for social work assistants include:

• Social services assistant
• Probation or parole officer
• Human resources assistant
• Behavior intervention specialist
• Family service assistant
• Addictions counselor assistant

It’s important to note that most social work assistant positions require you to pass a regulation background check before you start working in the field. For more information about what goes into this, check out this post covering the background check process.

FAQs About the Social Work Career, P.I.T.’s Distinguished Program, and Beyond

What are some common specializations within the field of social work?

Once completing your degree, there are plenty of specializations that you can pursue within the social work assistant career track, with just some of these concentrations including:

What is the job outlook for social work assistants?

Now is the perfect time to begin the steps to becoming a social work assistant. This is because the overall employment for social work assistants is expected to grow by 9% from 2022 to 2032, which is significantly faster than the average for all occupations.

Why should I choose the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology to pursue my Psychology and Behavioral Health associate degree?

Our faculty and staff at P.I.T. are dedicated to supplying you with the knowledge and skill sets necessary to prosper within our program and beyond. Plus, some of the advantages of pursuing your psychology and behavioral health associate degree through our school include the following:

• Numerous opportunities to apply for financial aid, scholarships, grants, and more
• An interactive classroom for peers and professors that includes a 15-1 student-to-faculty ratio
• Opportunities to pursue various support services, such as job placement, tutoring accommodations, and transfer assistance

Jumpstart Your Career as a Social Work Assistant with P.I.T. Today

If you’ve been wondering how to become a social work assistant, know that P.I.T.’s online psychology and behavioral health degree can provide you with the definitive tools you need to excel in the role of your choosing. To start your journey, apply to our program today or reach out to our team with any questions you may have, as we look forward to assisting you!