In corrections, social workers focus on rehabilitation, providing drug and alcohol addiction treatment, life skills and therapy to help offenders function in the community when released. Some work as probation and parole officers, helping inmates get job training or find a group home after their release. In health care facilities social workers are needed to coordinate medical and emotional treatment by assessing patients' needs, managing services needed for recovery, planning after-hospitalization care and educating patients. A bachelor's degree is the minimum educational requirement for entry-level jobs. However, clinical social workers must have a master's degree in social work and certification from the state they work in.
Some states require continuing education to maintain certification.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of jobs in social work to grow by 21 to 35 percent in the period between 1996 and 2006. Copyright 2000 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.