Social Work Internship Evaluation

Internship Evaluation Social work is not typically a career one goes into expecting fame and fortune. It can

mean long hours, lack of resources, frustrating cases, and much more. I have learned

social workers need vast reserves of patience and compassion to do their jobs well.

However, those who excel in this field often find that helping individuals, families and

communities recover from crises is a reward that far outweighs the less attractive aspects

of social work. I have found out social
work is a profession for those with a strong desire

to help improve people's lives. Social workers assist people by helping them cope with

and solve issues in their everyday lives, such as family and personal problems and dealing

with relationships or inadequate housing and unemployment. At Alleghany Care and

Rehab Center the social worker helps clients who face a disability, life-threatening

disease, social problem, or substance abuse. Psychosocial concerns include mental health

disorders such as depression, anxiety, dementia, and delirium, as well as a range of issues

with more obvious social dimensions, including loss of relationships, loss of personal

control and identity, and adjustment to the facility. I have learned working with Crystal

that there are many different jobs the Social service worker does. Some social workers

assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal

abuse. Additionally, they may conduct research, advocate for improved services, or

become involved in planning or policy development. Many social workers specialize in

serving a particular population or working in a specific setting. In all settings, these

workers may also be called licensed clinical social workers, if they hold the appropriate State mandated license. I have learned doing my internship at Alleghany Care and Rehab

Center the nursing home social worker advocates for residents and watch for signs of

stress and depression. They connect residents and families with resources in and outside

the nursing home and facilitate transitions such as hospice, a hospital stay or a return to

independence. They guide families, residents and care providers through difficult

conversations or conflicts. Nursing home social workers handle very serious emotional

issues affecting residents, family members and other staff members, and they deserve to

be educated on how to handle these issues. Everyone benefits when nursing homes hire

qualified social workers. Older adults struggle with dementia, and the highest rates of

suicide are among older adults. Crystal must monitor for possible victims of physical,

emotional or financial abuse. Some nursing homes tend to focus on physical care -- the

risk of falling, the risk of bed sores or skin wounds -- which are very serious issues, but I

have learned people need more than good physical care to thrive, and physical conditions

have emotional consequences that social workers can help address. As individuals and

families compare nursing home options, they should ask about the qualifications of the

social worker and the number of residents under his or her care. The social worker will

work with residents in the nursing home by identifying their psychosocial, mental and

emotional needs along with providing, developing, and/or aiding in the access of services

to meet those needs. Crystal explained that Services are provided in accordance with the

National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics along with strict

adherence to government regulations. I have learned that the nursing home social worker

is responsible for fostering a climate, policies and routines that enable residents to

maximize their individuality, independence and dignity. This climate shall provide

residents with the highest practical level of physical, mental and psychosocial well-being

and quality of life. While doing my internship I have discovered the nursing home social

worker must have skills in communication, assessment and social work methods and

techniques. He/she should be able to work effectively with a variety of disciplines in an

individual and team setting. He/she should have a working understanding of social

systems along with the ability to implement pertinent state and federal regulations. In

fulfilling his or her primary duties and responsibilities, the nursing home social worker

shall exercise professional judgment in carrying out a variety of activities that maximize

the well-being and quality of life of residents.
Review facility policies and procedures as

part of the facility’s interdisciplinary team to assure compliance with state and federal

regulations. Participate in reviewing and setting policies concerning resident care and

quality of life. Participate in developing facility social work policies. Develop, maintain

and utilize a listing of current community resources that are useful to residents and their

families/significant others. Participate in quality assurance interdisciplinary team

meetings. Understand and meet all government requirements for social service

documentation. Document progress in meeting the psychosocial needs of residents.

Complete a social history and psychosocial assessment for each resident that identifies

social, emotional, and psychological needs. Participate in the development of a written,

interdisciplinary plan of care for each resident that identifies the psychosocial

needs/issues of the resident, the goals to be accomplished for those needs/issues, and the

appropriate social worker interventions. Ensure or provide therapeutic interventions
to

assist residents in coping with their transition and adjustment to a long-term care facility,

including their social, emotional, and psychological needs. Ensure or provide support and

education to residents/family members/significant others to assist in their understanding

of placement and facility issues in addition to referring them to the appropriate social

service agencies when the facility does not provide the needed services. Provide groups

for residents/family members/significant others as appropriate to their needs. Provide

clinical interventions to address catastrophic events that occur during the resident’s stay

in the facility. Coordinate the resident discharge planning process and make referrals for

appropriate home care services prior to the resident’s return to the community. Work with

the interdisciplinary team and administration to promote and protect resident rights and

the psychological well being of each resident. Prevent and address resident abuse as

mandated by law and professional licensure. Identify community changes and

opportunities such as legislation, regulations and programs that affect nursing home

residents. Work with residents, families, significant others and staff to provide support,

information and organization for taking a more proactive role in self advocacy to improve

the quality of life/care for individual residents and those who live and work within the

nursing home and the community at large. Educate staff regarding the role of the social

worker in the facility and the psychosocial needs of the residents and their

families/significant others including the problems of aging and disability. Educate staff

regarding cultural diversity and each staff member’s importance when caring for

residents. Educate staff regarding residents’ rights and how to recognize and prevent

abuse, neglect and mistreatment. Educate residents and families/significant others

regarding their rights and responsibilities, effective problem solving and the extent of

community, health and social services that are available to them, including those

necessary for effective discharge planning. Supervise students assigned to social services

in accordance with the respective school guidelines and monitor and document the

progress of their work.