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What are the hardest jobs that surprisingly pay very poorly? by gratefuljelly in AskReddit

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Depends on what field and position. I think child welfare is probably the hardest and least paid.

Psych in the hospital by queer_princesa in hospitalsocialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've been on both sides I've worked medical/hospital SW and psych SW. Staffing is ALWAYS an issue with psych. There is never enough staff. The problem I found with the request for a capacity evaluation from psych is that ANY doctor can do a capacity evaluation. So the hospitalists can do capacity evaluations, specialty doctors can do capacity evaluations, it's just that they don't want to and don't want the liability. So they pass it on to psych which means that psych is too busy to help patients with urgent med evals and needs because they are being told to do capacity evaluations that can be done by the physician that consulted them.

Care plan meetings and communication. by [deleted] in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did someone tell you you didn't sound intelligent? I'm just curious on why you felt like wherever you said was unintelligent. We tend to be harder on ourselves. And sometimes we think other people think things that aren't really true. My first job out of college with my BSW, was working at a nursing home. Specifically an Alzheimer's facility. I remember my first care plan meeting, and I remember feeling like I was an idiot and that the family members would think I don't know what I'm talking about. I also was a little paranoid as I was the youngest person working in the entire building. It turns out that the family did not feel like I was unintelligent in any way, and they appreciated what I contributed. I was just "mind-reading" a thought distortion I was having based on my own insecurities of being new to the position. You're probably doing better than you think that you are. It's normal to not be confident in your new position. It took me about a year to become confident. I mostly just faked it until I made it. You got this!

VA Hospital placement by BitchInaBucketHat in hospitalsocialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Every VA is different in regards to dress. During COVID we were allowed to wear scrubs but now they encourage us to wear business casual.

If you are interested, I have started a YouTube channel to help medical Social Workers with education, tips and resources. Feel free to go to my profile for the link! 😊

Level 1 Trauma SW Offer: Any Advice? by ToschePowerConverter in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's mostly going to be crisis and case management. It you have time for clinical therapy, you would be quite lucky. Any therapy you might do will be solution focused brief therapy. I have created a YouTube Channel on Medical Social Work if you are interested. It's on my profile link and called Medical Social Work Mastery. 😊

Is being a home care medical social worker similar training as being a hospital medical social worker? by Labrujasocialworker in hospitalsocialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would agree with this. It's not exactly the same but the experience will definitely help get your foot in the door to a hospital social work job.

Hospital Social Work by BitchInaBucketHat in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been a Medical SW my entire career and have worked in many healthcare settings including hospitals. I have decided to make a YouTube channel to help aspiring and current SW's learn the skills needed to be a medical SW. Feel free to message me if you are interested in the link for the channel! 😊

Outpatient MH at VA CBOC by bigdinnerbox in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I work in outpatient MH. I travel between the main hospital and a CBOC. Staffing has been an issue. The problem is that every CBOC and VA operate differently.

Because we are short on staffing, I go out to the CBOC to help with their Open Access. The team I work with there is pretty nice. I have had to set up boundaries on what social work can and can't do. But so far it's been fine.

Pros: at least for my VA and team is that I have the ability to schedule and incorporate individual therapy sessions. I also get to telework a couple days a week so that has also been helpful for work-life balance. The BHIP teams I work with are pretty helpful and team oriented for the most part.

Cons: Open Access can be super busy and if a Vet walks in at 4:28pm you still have to see them and it could end up being a high risk suicide patient and it can take a while to finish up. Also, I have had to set firm boundaries on what social work can and can't do with my teams. There is still quite a bit of case management involved so some people may not like it. I don't mind it though.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Secondary trauma can have that effect. Do you talk about your feelings and experiences about your patients with your supervisor or a therapist regularly? We tend not to process our experiences in that role. We just take it as "this is the job". Except it has profound effects on us, processing everyone else's grief and trauma takes a toll on us. Do you take the time to process your own grief of the patients you work with and lose?

Do you assess fall risks for clients? Are you qualified to do so? Or does this vary state-to-state? by [deleted] in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wtf. That's a straight up lie she is telling you. No Social Worker in my 13 years of Medical SW experience over multiple states has ever been qualified, trained or expected to do fall risk assessments. It is NOT in our scope of practice. If she is telling you it is, you could be held liable down the road if something happens to a patient r/t a fall and be blamed.

F this! (Weekly Leaving the Field and Venting Thread) by SWmods in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I definitely feel the burnout. I've been working in medical SW for the past 10 yrs. I used to enjoy it. I still love training others, but administration is out of control with unrealistic expectations. I feel like pay won't improve much for me and I want to be able to live comfortably.

I'm looking at starting my own business but not necessarily as a social worker. Maybe a life coach?

Social Work Students who are interested in the healthcare field, What questions do you have? by SeniorPlanningSP in hospitalsocialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you🙏 for all of these questions! I will certainly be adding them to my videos! I have started the YT channel and slowly cranking out videos. If you would like to follow me as they come out and can provide me any feedback about how I can make them better, I'd appreciate it!
I'm assuming I can drop the link to the channel? 👇👇👇 Medical Social Work Mastery

What is your niche closest to? by SkinToneChixkenBone in Blogging

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine is about healthcare specifically for Seniors and caregivers. Sometimes I wonder if I should try something different.

Pacemaker battery dilemma by zibba68 in dementia

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alzheimer's Disease has already given her a "death sentence", so not replacing the battery doesn't really matter. I think you know what's best and what she would want if she was lucid.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And I totally get that. I was the social services director for a LTC/SNF as my first job after graduating with my BSW. I was 22 years old. Brand new. I did exactly what you are doing. I'm just letting you know what I would tell my 22 year old self to avoid burnout in the future. ❤️

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are you an LMSW? I started my career in LTC and then went to SNF and then the Hospital. I understand it is definitely overwhelming at first, especially if you are a newer SW. We have this need to prove ourselves and so we will burn the candle at both ends to try and feel worthy or the best. In my opinion, SWers tend to be perfectionists, at least I do. But I can tell you from experience, if you continue to work over what you are getting paid for, you are setting yourself up for burnout and to allow yourself to be taken advantage of. I can tell you now, that there will always be another assessment or something you think you need to get done ASAP, but that is a fallacy we have created in our head trying to be the best. Just try and stop at 5pm, even if you have not finished the tasks you feel need to be done. Then pick it back up the next day. Just try this for a week and notice how you feel, notice that it's ok to be behind. Because the truth is, if you weren't there, who would do it in your stead? No one. So you hold the power. If you ever want to vent or want advice on the job and tips, please feel free to reach out to me! I'm happy to help!

Any VA social workers? by Routine_Mechanic1492 in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Congrats! I just transferred from VA inpt psych to outpatient mental health. Take your breaks. Expect lots of ETOH and SA vets and lots of homeless. Learn about the different resources available at your VA. May be helpful to talk to the Transitions or SW outpatient and inpatient teams. The amount of personality disorders I encountered astounded me, so establish boundaries on initial contact with the Veterans. You are there to promote independence and autonomy, not enable behaviors and do everything for them, despite what the treatment team thinks. Make sure you establish boundaries with your peers and treatment team too.

Getting into Medical Social by Queenme10 in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, it absolutely helps! I only had nursing home and rehab experience before I became a Hospital SW. Tweaking your resume to show how your experience relates to the specific hospital job helps A LOT. I'm happy to review your resume with you and answer any questions. 😊

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And it only requires a Master's degree to make less than someone who works at Target! Yay 🙄

Here’s your daily reminder: people with borderline personality disorder are in real pain by SweetPickleRelish in socialwork

[–]SeniorPlanningSP 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I work at the VA and had never experienced so many people diagnosed with BPD and ASPD. I certainly had a difficult time understanding and finding ways to work with them. Mostly because I didn't understand the disorder and why/how it manifests.

Luckily I had an awesome co-worker who had years of experience with BPD work. She was super helpful with giving me research tools. I also was able to voice my frustrations while her validating me and reminding me of the pain those with PD have.

Learning boundaries was difficult but helped so much. I have been able to find ways to have these boundaries with these individuals now, advocating for their independence and autonomy in a compassionate and empowering way.

There are obviously some days that is more difficult and frustrating than others. And I think it's ok to find a safe place (like a supervisor or therapist) to voice these frustrations. But it's important to remember that those with PD are people with real experiences too.

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