Competency10

Competency 10:   Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Professional practice involves the dynamic and interactive processes of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation at multiple levels. Social workers have the knowledge and skills to practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Practice knowledge includes

identifying, analyzing, and implementing evidence-based interventions designed to achieve client goals; using research and technological advances; evaluating program outcomes and practice effectiveness; developing, analyzing, advocating, and providing leadership for policies and services; and promoting social and economic justice.

Relative to engagement competencies social workers

• substantively and affectively prepare for action with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities;

• use empathy and other interpersonal skills; and

• develop a mutually agreed-on focus of work and desired outcomes.

Relative to assessment competencies social workers

• collect, organize, and interpret client data;

• assess client strengths and limitations;

• develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives; and

• select appropriate intervention strategies.

Relative to intervention competencies social workers

• initiate actions to achieve organizational goals;

• implement prevention interventions that enhance client capacities;

• help clients resolve problems;

• negotiate, mediate, and advocate for clients; and

• facilitate transitions and endings.

Relative to evaluation competencies social workers critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate interventions.

How I demonstrated my competency learning:

There were many opportunities to help me learn about the different practice behaviors under this competency. I would always review my patients information to help me set some ground information of them. I would speak to other professionals involved in my patients life while at the hospital to fully understand what my patient needed medically and at home. I would use my interviewing skills learning from Practice I to help my client identify what he or she really needed and what services I could help them get. I would consult on a daily basis with my co-workers so they always knew what patients I saw and what I did to help them. There obviously were obstacles that prevented me from offering deep counseling sessions to some patients that could have benefitted from it because I’m not licensed to do counseling. However, the people I would offer 40 minutes to talk would greatly appreciate my time spent with them.