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Geriatric Social Worker

Geriatric Social Workers Career Options

Typical Employment Settings for a Geriatric Social Worker

Geriatric Social Workers are employed in a wide variety of settings, including:

Learn more abouthow to become a geriatric social worker.

Ways a Geriatric Social Worker Can Increase Desirability as a Job Candidate and Increase His or Her Salary

A bachelor’s degree in social work lays the groundwork for a career as a geriatric social worker, and trains an individual in gerontology competencies, such as general skills, writing, communicating, project management, and ethics. A major in psychology, sociology, or a related field may also qualify individuals for entry-level jobs, especially in small community agencies.

To widen career choices, as well as increase desirably as a job candidate in a clinical setting, geriatric social workers must have a master’s degree and two years of post-graduate experience in a supervised clinical setting. Clinical social workers in the field of geriatrics must also be licensed in the state in which they practice.

Advancement to a supervisory position, assistant director, program manager, or executive director of a social service agency, work in government, research or teaching usually requires an advanced degree and related work experience.

Related Social Work Education Guides

Attributes and Skill Sets Employers Often Look for When Hiring a Geriatric Social Worker

Even with such tremendous employment opportunities, addressing workforce shortages in the field of geriatric social work can be a challenge.  This is in part due to the fact that working with the elderly takes basic social work competencies required to effectively meet gerontological needs, including:

Networking Opportunities and Organizations for Geriatric Social Workers

There are a number of networking organizations and agencies for aspiring geriatric social workers to explore, including:

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures forsocial workersare based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2023.

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