Human Services
Human Services Career Overview
Many people who work in Human Services careers work in facilities such as nursing homes, mental health centers and youth service agencies. They are involved in providing assistance to people with disabilities or other special needs, providing training in life skills and generally in helping people live as independently as possible.
Human Services workers should have a very strong commitment to promoting patient and client advocacy, and a strong interest in the welfare of their patients. They should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to develop relationships with patients, their families, and with other healthcare workers to achieve their goals.
Human Services Training & Education
Community Services Managers, Direct Care Counselors and Program Directors should hold at least a ">Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a related field. Holding a BSN or equivalent degree and the appropriate certification.
Human Services Career & Salary Outlook
The outlook for Human Services careers is expected to be good over the next five to seven years, as the average age of the population continues to increase, increasing the demand for both managed care facilities and at-home care services.
Case Managers can expect to earn salaries of $40,000 to $70,000, depending on their place of employment, and level of education and experience. Program Managers and Community Services Managers may earn salaries of between $50,000 and $100,000 or more, depending largely on their experience and level of education. An entry-level Direct Care Counselor may earn a salary of $25,000 to $30,000, with salary increasing based on experience.
Career Fields/Specializations
Community Services Manager Career
The Community Services Manager is involved in supervising staff and coordinating services within a facility, with the overall goal of promoting the well-being of patients. Their work may include hiring staff, ensuring that staff members are properly trained, scheduling staff work activities, and evaluating employee performance. They are also often involved in hiring and training volunteer staff as well as paid workers. The Community Services Manager must provide direction and leadership for their staff, and ensure that patients receive the best possible care at all times.
Community Services Managers must have excellent leadership skills and motivational abilities, with well-developed interpersonal and communication skills. They must have good problem-solving skills, and an eye for detail as well as the ability to see the big picture, to ensure the smooth operation of the facility both in the short term and the long term. They should also have a strong interest in patient advocacy and promoting patient welfare.
Human Services Case Manager Career
Case Managers work directly for and with their patients. They often act as a liaison between patients and their families, and healthcare workers. The Case Manager’s primary role is developing an interdisciplinary plan of care for their patient, which may include medical visits and treatment, home help, admission to a health care facility, and other factors. Their goal at all times is ensuring that their patients receive the best possible care, and that patients and their families fully understand and are comfortable with the treatment and care process. Care Managers are typically registered nurses.
Case Managers require excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work well with both clients and other healthcare workers. They must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and good problem-solving, decision-making and organizational skills. They should also be able to work both independently and as part of a team of healthcare workers.
Program Director Career
Program Directors are responsible for developing and implementing programs of health management in the facilities in which they work. However, their role is more administrative rather than hands-on, and they are responsible for managing staff rather than patients of the facility.
The Program director may be responsible for hiring, training, supervising and evaluating staff, as well as financial administration such as managing payrolls and budgets. Their primary role is in managing the overall goals and directions of the facility in which they work.
Program Directors must have strong leadership skills, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills. They should also have good organizational, time-management, problem-detection and problem-solving skills. A good Program Director also has a strong commitment to patient welfare.
Direct Care Counselor Career
Direct Care Counselors provide direct non-medical care to their patients. They do not provide medical advice or treatment, and they work mainly with patients rather than with other Human Services care providers. Direct Care Counselors work more closely with patients than most other Human Services workers, however they do also work with Case Managers and members of clinical staff in a facility.
The primary role of a Direct Care Counselor is working with patients, providing ongoing care, support and supervision to help them live as independently as possible. They assess the needs of their patients and determine what kinds of at-home help they need, and then arrange for health care workers to provide that help.
Direct Care Counselors must have a strong interest in patient advocacy and a commitment to improving the lives of their patients. They must also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as good organizational skills, good judgment, and good decision-making and problem-solving skills.
