First week on the job…

Well, my first week at my new job went off without a hitch. All the employees are really nice and helpful. I spent the entire week in orientations for everything from benefits to processes to trainings. Thankfully, their processes and procedures are streamlined. Amen! I sat with my supervisor for the clinical training and process piece. She is very nice and knowledgeable. She complemented my preparation (me, prepared??? heh) and said she can tell I will catch on quickly. To say the paperwork is overwhelming is an understatement, but that is social work for ya.


We discussed ethics, privacy, compliance and the like. The HR person described some ethical issues in the past, and honestly, I am shocked at some of the choices people make. One employee had to get something signed over the weekend, so she stopped by the home with a car full of people. Um, seriously? Major HIPAA breach. Another employee had a home for rent and rented it out to his client. Yes, this is a nice gesture, but it is absolutely forbidden to enter into any sort of dual relationship with your client, during and after service.


I was assigned my first 4 clients yesterday. I have not yet made contact because I am waiting to hear from the employee I will be shadowing next week. I plan to call Monday and set up first appointments at the end of the week. I also have to do a ton of online trainings next week on-site.


As far as my clients go, what a doozy! Four males. Three of them have been treated by the agency before, two of them have a Conduct Disorder Dx, two have ADHD/Anxiety. One of them is a refugee from Africa! THAT is way amazing, for me, because it is a population I am extremely interested in working with. To say I am hella nervous about meeting these people next week is putting it mildly…


-SWS

Addiction ain’t pretty.

As the world undoubtedly knows, the talented and troubled songstress, Amy Winehouse, passed away today at age 27. The jokes poured out when in reality, it is anything but funny. Addiction is a serious issue that affects millions of people. Some people mentioned having no sympathy for those that make the choice to do drugs. Everyone is allowed their own opinions, of course, but this close minded nonsense pisses me off to no end.
We don't know what drives people to make that decision in the first place. We've never been in their shoes and therefore, we should not judge. We are not a higher power and have no right judging others to be less worthy. There would be a hell of a lot less drama/trauma/chaos in the world if we tried to understand each other instead of point fingers.


Yes, doing drugs is a choice, but I highly doubt anyone picks up a needle or pops a pill hoping to become addicted. What they are looking for is an escape, and that is where the real mess lies. A lot of people who do drugs have a mental illness. Schizophrenia, depression, bi-polar, anxiety, etc. will lead people to drugs if they do not receive proper treatment. And I don’t just mean Px drugs and therapy. People need other people. We are social beings and the support of our peers is vastly important to our mental and emotional well-being. Society still has major stigma towards mental illness, and therefore, makes it even more hard for those people to cope. Until we take a moment to understand the emotional and mental challenges that our fellow humans face – instead of acting like we are somehow better and cannot be bothered – then those that turn to drugs will continue to be plagued by inner demons and their “quick fix” will continue to be a permanent one.


-SWS

Pre-Employment

Who knew pre-employment would be so much work! I understand the need for all of this information. Aside from the normal items, I need to do a bit more since I will be working with humans and more importantly, children. I get it.

• Drug test
• Electronic fingerprints
• TB screen
• Notarized Affidavit of Good Moral Character
• Original Diploma
• Official Transcripts
• Infant/Adult CPR and First-Aid Training
• CFARS Certification
• Proof of Eligibility to work in US
• Driver's License
• Proof of Auto Insurance

I’ve got most of this done already though, because that’s how I am. ☺

-SWS

I am employed!

I have secured my first job after graduation. I am extremely excited and nervous as hell! I will be a Therapeutic Behavior On-Site Counselor, which means I will be going in to homes and schools and working with children and adolescents who have diagnosed mental disorders. It sounds like a doozy for my first ever therapeutic job, but I just know the experience is going to be so beneficial to my growth as a social worker. And hey, getting my feet wet on the therapeutic side might just urge me to get licensed. We’ll see how much I enjoy the work. :)

I start 8/1 with a 2 week orientation. They gave me a slew of background checks I have to get completed prior. So, I need to hop on that.

Go me!

-SWS

Testing, one, two…

Hello! New blog for a new chapter in my life. :) This won’t be the most active of blogs, but I think it will be pretty good content. I plan to write about my social work / therapeutic experience. I recently graduated with my MSW and have a job prospect. More soon.

-SWS

P.S. I've imported my old social work posts from previous blog.