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Mental Health Worker
Are you interested in going back to school and earning a degree in a field that will provide you with a better life, a better salary and the opportunity to help others? If you find that this is true, you should consider becoming a mental health worker. You may also find that you are curious as to what the job description includes, what the educational requirements are and what kind of salary can be earned. Once you know these important pieces of information, you will be able to make a properly informed decision as to whether this is the right career choice for you.
Mental Health Worker Job Description
As a mental health worker, your job will be to counsel clients and help them find the resources they need to overcome their problem. You can work in a variety of places, including hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and even clinics. You will work to help patients confront problems in their life, such as mental illness, poverty, addiction and abuse. You can also help the family of the patient come to terms with the illness affecting their loved one and make referrals to the proper professional, if it is needed. Additionally, you may be responsible to maintain patient records, prepare reports, monitor progress toward set treatment goals and provide crisis intervention.
Educational Requirements
In order to become a mental health worker, you must have obtained a bachelor’s degree majoring in social work, psychology, sociology or another related major. You may find that some employers want you to have master’s degrees in social work. In a work program, you will learn how to perform clinical assessments, manage case loads, and provide social services that meet the needs of the patients.
Salary Information
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a mental health worker who has obtained an entry level working position will earn approximately $41,920 as a yearly salary. Those who have prior years of experience under their belts will earn approximately $70,000 and higher per year. Those workers who earn the highest salary usually have earned master’s degrees. Other factors that can affect how much of a salary you earn will include, but is not limited to geographical location, years of experience and employer. Statistics also show that those who work for private practice employers make more money.
If you are interested in going back to school and earning a degree doing something that you love, why not consider becoming a mental health worker? Now that you know what is involved in the job description, the educational requirements and the salary information, you will be able to make a properly informed decision as to whether this is the right career choice for you. If you should feel that it is, please do not hesitate to contact a guidance counselor at a school of your choice and get signed up for some courses immediately. In doing so, you will be well on your way to a better future.
