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	== Typical workday ==		== Typical workday ==
	Typical shifts for community workers are 9am to 5pm, although, these vary greatly. Some community workers have 12 hour shifts. It is rare to have overtime shifts however. A typical day for a community worker usually beings with a staff meeting in which a discussion of important matters takes place. Matters of discussion include client issues, current problems or complications, issues with regards to funding (from the public or private sector), and assessments of programs and techniques. After the meeting, each individual community worker will work on their personal cases and complete phone calls or paper work. Shortly after and for the remainder of the day, one-on-one work will take place with numerous clients. While most community workers have a desk at their office, they will often travel throughout the day to help clients in numerous places such as their homes, correctional facilities, hospitals, detox centres etc. The case load for a community worker varies across provinces, cities, and institutions. Nonetheless, most community workers work full time shifts.		Typical shifts for community workers are 9am to 5pm, although, these vary greatly. Some community workers have 12 hour shifts. It is rare to have overtime shifts however. A typical day for a community worker usually beings with a staff meeting in which a discussion of important matters takes place. Matters of discussion include client issues, current problems or complications, issues with regards to funding (from the public or private sector), and assessments of programs and techniques. After the meeting, each individual community worker will work on their personal cases and complete phone calls or paper work. Shortly after and for the remainder of the day, one-on-one work will take place with numerous clients. While most community workers have a desk at their office, they will often travel throughout the day to help clients in numerous places such as their homes, correctional facilities, hospitals, detox centres etc. The case load for a community worker varies across provinces, cities, and institutions. Nonetheless, most community workers work full time shifts.
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		+	== Educational requirements and other qualifications ==
		+	Although a high school diploma is the minimum requirement, most organizations prefer college or university graduates. According to recent statistics, 32.6% of Canadian community workers had a Bachelor’s degree, 48.7% had a college diploma, and 18.7% had a high school diploma. Specific college courses with regards to community work include social services, general human services, aboriginal social services, addiction treatment, child and youth worker, and disabilities assistance. However, more generally associated diplomas and degrees include any number of disciplines within the social sciences such as sociology, psychology, education, criminology, or sex education. Licensing is not typical for community workers although some senior and/or administrative positions could require a higher degree (Masters or higher) or a longer and more extensive work experience. Current job offerings demonstrate slightly higher educational requirements in Ontario and Quebec. This can be due to a higher population and greater competition. Local schools such as Mohawk College, and Fanshaw College offer relevant programs such as human services. Niagara College as well as Sheridan College also offer social services worker programs, meanwhile, universities such as Brock University, University of Guelph, and University of Toronto all have psychology and sociology courses which are also very beneficial.

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Revision as of 17:47, 26 March 2015

Contents 1 Community Worker 1.1 General overview 1.2 Job duties and responsibilities 1.3 Typical workday 1.4 Educational requirements and other qualifications

Community Worker

General overview

Community workers are social workers who help people in need within the community. Their clients can include a wide range of people who are in need of help such as those who are homeless, unemployed, suffering from mental or physical disabilities, dealing with substance abuse, and other related issues. Community workers help clients by directing them to programs that may improve their circumstances such as social assistance programs, medical facilities, employment opportunities, food shelters, homeless shelters, and so on. Although community workers may facilitate larger social group gatherings for particular tasks, generally they deal with their clients one-on-one.

Job duties and responsibilities

Community workers are responsible for a wide variety of client-centered tasks such as making phone calls, organizing appointments, conducting interviews, counseling, crisis intervention, community outreach, and offering emotional support. These tasks can be done in a private office setting or in a number of other places such as half-way houses, correctional facilities, government buildings, schools, clients’ homes, or medical facilities. Other tasks include office work, client case management and assessment, performing liaison services to other institutions, traveling, raising funds, and maintaining records.

Typical workday

Typical shifts for community workers are 9am to 5pm, although, these vary greatly. Some community workers have 12 hour shifts. It is rare to have overtime shifts however. A typical day for a community worker usually beings with a staff meeting in which a discussion of important matters takes place. Matters of discussion include client issues, current problems or complications, issues with regards to funding (from the public or private sector), and assessments of programs and techniques. After the meeting, each individual community worker will work on their personal cases and complete phone calls or paper work. Shortly after and for the remainder of the day, one-on-one work will take place with numerous clients. While most community workers have a desk at their office, they will often travel throughout the day to help clients in numerous places such as their homes, correctional facilities, hospitals, detox centres etc. The case load for a community worker varies across provinces, cities, and institutions. Nonetheless, most community workers work full time shifts.

Educational requirements and other qualifications

Although a high school diploma is the minimum requirement, most organizations prefer college or university graduates. According to recent statistics, 32.6% of Canadian community workers had a Bachelor’s degree, 48.7% had a college diploma, and 18.7% had a high school diploma. Specific college courses with regards to community work include social services, general human services, aboriginal social services, addiction treatment, child and youth worker, and disabilities assistance. However, more generally associated diplomas and degrees include any number of disciplines within the social sciences such as sociology, psychology, education, criminology, or sex education. Licensing is not typical for community workers although some senior and/or administrative positions could require a higher degree (Masters or higher) or a longer and more extensive work experience. Current job offerings demonstrate slightly higher educational requirements in Ontario and Quebec. This can be due to a higher population and greater competition. Local schools such as Mohawk College, and Fanshaw College offer relevant programs such as human services. Niagara College as well as Sheridan College also offer social services worker programs, meanwhile, universities such as Brock University, University of Guelph, and University of Toronto all have psychology and sociology courses which are also very beneficial.