Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 30 - Professions and Occupations › Part 1902 - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS › Chapter 3 - Professional Standards of Practice and Code of Conduct › Rule 30-1902-3.2 - GUIDELINES OF PRACTICE (See also MS Code Annotated, 1972, Sections 7354- 1 et seq.)

Current through June 25, 2024
It is the legal and ethical responsibility of each licensed
				  social worker to limit the scope of professional practice to the parameters of
				  the licensee's competencies. Client systems for all levels of licensure may be
				  individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities.
A. Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
The entry level of social work practice usually includes a
				  wide range of direct services under the supervision of a Licensed Master Social
				  Worker or other qualified professional. The LSW generally provides basic
				  problem solving interventions. Professional tasks may include data gathering,
				  assessment, planning and contracting, various generalist interventive
				  methodologies, conducting educational and supportive groups and evaluation of
				  own practice. LSWs should not provide clinical social work services,
				  psychotherapy, or engage in autonomous practice.
B. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
The LMSW may provide services to individuals, couples,
				  families, organizations and communities. Such services shall be guided by
				  knowledge of social work theory, social resources, social systems, human
				  behavior, ethics, and methods to restore or enhance social, psychosocial or
				  bio-psychosocial functioning. Scope of practice includes, but is not limited
				  to, assessment, treatment implementation and evaluation, case management,
				  information and referral, mediation, education, psychotherapy, advocacy,
				  supervision of employees, consultation, research, community organization and
				  development, administration of social policies, programs and activities.
A LMSW may provide clinical social work services within a
				  recognized setting such as social, medical and governmental agencies and
				  organizations only when under the supervision of a LCSW or other licensed or
				  certified clinical professions such as a psychiatrist, or PhD, or PsyD level
				  clinical psychologist. A LMSW may only work as an employee in an agency or
				  organizational setting and cannot engage in autonomous practice.
Supervision of a LMSW for LCSW certification can only be
				  provided by a LCSW as specified in Section IV. LMSWs must not provide
				  unsupervised clinical services and cannot hold him/her self out as a Licensed
				  Clinical Social Worker.
C.
				Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is qualified to perform all services included in the
				  LMSW scope of practice in Section B above and those specified for the LCSW
				  herein. The LCSW shall be qualified to function independently and shall
				  demonstrate special knowledge and skill in his/her practice areas.
Clinical Social Work Practice means the application of social
				  work methods and values in diagnosis and treatment and prevention of
				  psychosocial dysfunction disability or impairment including emotional, mental,
				  and behavioral disorders. It is directed at enhancing, protecting, or restoring
				  people's capacity for social functioning, whether impaired by physical,
				  environmental, or emotional factors. Clinical social work has a primary focus
				  on the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of individuals, couples,
				  families, and groups. It centers on a holistic approach to psychotherapy and
				  the client's relationship with his or her environment as essential to treatment
				  planning. Clinical social workers are qualified to use the current versions of
				  the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the
				  International Classification of Diseases (ICD), and other diagnostic
				  classification systems in assessment, diagnosis, and other activities related
				  to mental health issues.
The LCSW specializing in clinical practice may independently
				  engage in the use of a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques. The clinician
				  is legally and ethically bound to practice only in the parameters of his/her
				  expertise, based on education, training, experience, and competency. The LCSW
				  in macro practice shall demonstrate skill in supervision and management at the
				  macro level. Macro Social Work Practice focuses on changing larger systems,
				  such as communities and organizations. It encompasses a broad spectrum of
				  practice, including planning, program development, community organizing, policy
				  analysis, legislative advocacy, program evaluation, task-oriented group work,
				  community education, and human services management. The Clinical social worker
				  encompasses macro practice skills as long as the person is practicing within
				  their scope of expertise, based on education, training, experience, and
				  competency.
Miss. Code
				  Ann. §§
										73-53-1,
				  73-53-11(1)(c), (k), (2) and
				  (3) and
				  73-53-13