Social and human service assistants help other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.

  • Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
  • Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
  • Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
  • Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
  • Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.
  • Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.
  • Provide information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance.
  • Advise clients regarding food stamps, child care, food, money management, sanitation, or housekeeping.
  • Oversee day-to-day group activities of residents in institution.
  • Meet with youth groups to acquaint them with consequences of delinquent acts.
  • Assist in locating housing for displaced individuals.
  • Consult with supervisor concerning programs for individual families.
  • Demonstrate use and care of equipment for tenant use.
  • Assist in planning food budgets, using charts or sample budgets.
  • Assist clients with preparation of forms, such as tax or rent forms.
  • Explain rules established by owner or management, such as sanitation or maintenance requirements or parking regulations.
  • Observe clients' food selections and recommend alternate economical and nutritional food choices.
  • Observe and discuss meal preparation and suggest alternate methods of food preparation.
  • Transport and accompany clients to shopping areas or to appointments, using automobile.
  • Inform tenants of facilities, such as laundries or playgrounds.
Work Context
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 99% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 88% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Electronic Mail — 82% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 83% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 71% responded "Extremely important".
  • Deal With External Customers — 65% responded "Extremely important".
  • Letters and Memos — 54% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Conduct diagnostic tests to determine patient health.
  • Examine patients to assess general physical condition.
  • Develop treatment plans for patients or clients.
  • Present social services program information to the public.
  • Refer clients to community or social service programs.
  • Write reports or evaluations.
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Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Psychology
  • Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Therapy and Counseling
  • Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
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Skills

Social Perceptiveness
  • Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation
  • Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Abilities

Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Speech Clarity
  • The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology
Medical software
  • MEDITECH software Hot Technology
  • PointClickCare HER
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
Data base user interface and query software
  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology
  • Database software
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