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MUSC's own faces of social work by Gale Horinbein, MSW, LMSW Social Worker and SCAN Coordinator The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) celebrates more than 100 years of professional social work during March, National Professional Social Work Month.  Officially recognized almost 30 years ago by  President Ronald Reagan, the NASW uses this month as a time to honor social workers in addition to raising public awareness about the social work profession. For this year's theme, NASW has launched a public awareness campaign called “The New Face of Social Work” to clarify who professional social workers are, what they do and to underscore the variety of settings in which the public may encounter them. In South Carolina, there are approximately 4,000 professional social workers among 155,000 nationwide. Social workers are trained professionals possessing a bachelors, masters, or doctoral degrees in social work and have met stringent requirements of licensure organized by the Board of Social Work Examiners.  To protect the public and ensure high quality social work services, NASW sets practice standards, enforces a code of ethics and works to improve state regulations of social work. Social workers practice in a wide variety of settings, including family services agencies, community mental health centers, child welfare, private practice, schools, hospitals, businesses, nursing homes, courts, prisons, and public and private agencies.  They address problems as varied as substance abuse, family conflicts, workplace tensions, health problems, disabilities, mental illness, inadequate housing, poverty, and violence.  Social workers work directly with individuals and families, as well as in public policy, administration, research, community organizing, and advocacy.  Professional social workers are the nation's largest providers of mental health and therapy services in both rural and urban areas. They provide an important service by being able to coordinate both counseling services with community and environmental resources. Federal law recognizes social work as one of the four core mental health professions. MUSC and UMA employ professional social workers representing inpatient and outpatient areas throughout the center. A social worker is assigned to provide biopsychosocial assessments, develop interventions and provide therapeutic services as indicated.  Social work is also involved in the transition of care when patients are discharged from one setting to another. Social workers are dedicated and committed professionals who make a real difference in people's lives everyday. By helping individuals and families cope with or prevent problems and manage change, improvements are made in the quality of their lives. This in turn makes good business sense by saving the community and taxpayers money in the long run. National Professional Social Work Month highlights this vital work and the contributions social workers make in helping our communities become safer, better places.   Social Worker's Profile How does your role as a social worker affect the families you serve and how does that impact the effectiveness of patient care? I view my role as an Ambulatory Care social worker as someone who advocates, educates, manages and researches the complex biopsychosocial needs of patients and their support systems. Through my work as a counselor, educator and advocate, I hope to empower patients and families, thereby promoting independence and self-esteem. —Mary Van Sickle-Bonney, MSW MUSC Women's Health   My role allows me to follow patients and their families in both the MUSC Children's Hospital and clinic. When a child has cancer, it affects the entire family. I try to support the pediatric cancer patient by supporting the parents and family.  It's my job to focus on their needs and help guide and connect families to appropriate resources and be an advocate for them with medical staff and others. —Joyce Rivers, LMSW Pediatric Oncology-Hematology My job is to be an advocate and help empower patients and their families while facilitating a good outcome. I want to make sure that by the time a young patient is discharged, families are knowledgeable and are empowered to access community resources and are able to provide supportive care at home. —Peggy Willis, LMSW PICU Pediatric Medicine-Surgery and Burn Unit What people think they know about social work is often a myth Myth: Most social workers work for the government. Fact: Fewer than 3 percent of all professional social workers work for the federal government. About a third of all professional social workers are employed by federal, state, and local governments combined. Myth: For therapy you need a psychologist or psychiatrist. Fact: Professional social workers are the nation's largest providers of mental health and therapy services. They are often the only mental health care providers serving residents of many poor, rural counties. Social work is designated as one of the four core mental health professions under federal legislation that established the National Institute of Mental Health. Myth: Most social workers are employed in public welfare or child welfare. Fact: About one-quarter of all child welfare cases are handled by professional social workers. More than 200 professional social wokers hold elective offices, including one U.S. senator and four representatives. Myth: Social service employees, caseworkers, and volunteers are “social workers.” Fact: A social worker is a trained professional who has a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in social work. All states license or otherwise regulate social work practice.