Community and Social Careers

Chapter 29


Community and Social Careers



Learning Objectives



image Define at least eight terms relating to community and social health care.


image Describe the function of the community and social health care team.


image Specify the role of the community and social health care team members, including personal qualities, educational requirements, responsibilities, and credentialing requirements.


image Identify at least six services provided by community health care agencies.


image Specify the difference between physical and psychological drug dependency.


image Identify at least four signs and symptoms of withdrawal from an addictive substance.



Key Terms











Community and Social Careers Terminology*







































































Term Definition Prefix Root Suffix
Anesthetic Pertaining to a lack of feeling an esthet ic
Arthritis Inflammation of the joints   arthr itis
Chronic Pertaining to time   chron ic
Disable Opposite of fitness dis able  
Euphoria State of feeling well eu phor ia
Gerontology Study of aging   geront ology
Hypertrophy Increase in nourishment (size) hyper troph y
Hypnotic Pertaining to a state of sleep   hypnot ic
Narcolepsy Condition of uncontrolled sleep   narco lepsy
Sociologist One who works with society   sociol ogist


image


*A transition syllable or vowel may be added to or deleted from the word parts to make the combining form.




Abbreviations for Community and Social Careers






































Abbreviation Meaning
ACSW Academy of Certified Social Workers
DHHS Department of Health and Human Services
DSW Doctorate of social work
FDA Food and Drug Administration
GHB Gamma hydroxybutyrate
MSW Master of social work
NIH National Institutes of Health
PhD Doctor of philosophy
THC Tetrahydrocannabinol
WHO World Health Organization



Careers


Community and social health care has broad goals and focuses on the health needs of a population (Fig. 29-1). The primary goals of community and social health care workers are prevention of illness and injury and provision of care to a population (Table 29-1). The community and social health care worker is involved in the search for the source of disease and the use of technical and regulatory means to protect the population from environmental, social, and behavioral hazards. Health problems addressed by community and social health care workers are often related to environmental hazards, sanitation, and work and living conditions. Other health problems may originate because of population growth and social and behavioral aspects of life.



image
FIGURE 29-1 Community and social health care workers may work in many areas, ranging from maternal and child care to advocacy for people with physical challenges.

Employees in community and social health careers may be trained as physicians, social workers, dentists, nurses, and counselors, as well as other health care providers (Box 29-1). These health care providers usually work for the government or volunteer agencies. They must develop the ability to consider many aspects of a problem or condition and analyze the many options that are provided by or limited by public health agencies. Community and social health care workers must also be able to function well in an environment that involves many regulations and agencies. Community and social workers may be required by law to document and report incidents of domestic violence or abuse as well as providing care for the victim (Box 29-2).



BOX 29-1   Community and Social Health Careers





BOX 29-2   Resources and Services for Domestic Violence Victims*




*The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence provides links to many resources. http://www.ncadv.org/.





Community Health Providers


Community nutrition workers provide food and nutrition education through public health clinics and programs (Fig. 29-2). They screen patients to determine eligibility, based on health risk and income, for the program. Other job duties may include testing blood, taking dietary histories, assessing vital signs, and counseling on basic nutrition. The minimum qualification is a high school education and experience working with the public or training in nutrition education.


image
FIGURE 29-2 Community nutrition workers often present programs in public health clinics.


image Case Study 29-2


Your neighbor is a single mom of three children and has lost her job. You notice that the children are not getting three meals a day. What should you do?



Answers to Case Studies


are available on the Evolve website: http://evolve.elsevier.com/Gerdin


Supervisors of caseworkers coordinate the activities of agency staff, volunteers, and students working in child welfare. The supervisor assigns the cases and assists with services. Graduate-level preparation plus social work experience is usually required. Caseworkers may investigate physical and psychological home conditions to determine the need for intervention of the agency workers. Caseworkers provide counseling for children, parents, and foster parents. The caseworker determines the suitability of foster homes and adoption applicants and places children in appropriate settings. Bachelor-level preparation in social work is the minimal level for employment, but a master’s degree is preferred.


Under the supervision of the caseworker, case assistants perform such tasks as completing forms and explaining the services of the agency. Duties may include assisting patients to complete applications for unemployment compensation, food stamps, medical care, and other services. On-the-job or vocational school training for case assistants may be adequate for employment.


Under the supervision of the director, attendants for children’s institutions provide care for children who are housed in city, county, private, or other institutions such as orphanages, child care homes, and day care centers. Duties include waking and assisting the children who need help in dressing. Responsibilities may also include assistance with feeding, schooling, and recreational activities. The attendant may be responsible for discipline when children misbehave. Attendants with high school diplomas are preferred. Little advancement is possible without additional education and training.


Disabled children may be assigned to a child care attendant while attending school. The attendant helps the student perform tasks needed to attend classes. Duties may include transporting the child, replacing braces or slings, and helping with participation in activities (Fig. 29-3). Most school attendants are employed by the school system, and a high school diploma is required for employment.


image
FIGURE 29-3 A child care attendant assists with recreational activities.

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Apr 15, 2017 | Posted by in MEDICAL ASSISSTANT | Comments Off on Community and Social Careers

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