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Social Worker

Medical Service Corps Jobs		End of Category

Social Worker - 73A


  • Active/Reserve:Both
  • Officer/Enlisted:Officer
  • Restrictions:None

Overview

For the vast majority of social workers, their career choice is based on one simple ideal: a deep desire to help others help themselves. Serving as a social worker with the U.S. Army provides an environment where you can concentrate on patient care without the bureaucracy found in the private sector. In addition to providing direct services, your responsibilities could include teaching, training, supervision, research administration and policy development.

Job Duties

  • Provide clinical counseling, crisis intervention, disaster relief, critical event debriefing, teaching and training, supervision, research, administration, consultation and policy development in various military settings
  • Enhance unit readiness and the emotional wellbeing of military members, their family members and other eligible beneficiaries
  • Conduct and supervise direct patient care, and plan and execute disease prevention and health promotion programs
  • Perform special staff functions in health support for commanders at all levels
  • Conduct research on conditions of military importance, and supervise and participate in graduate medical education and training of other medical personnel needed to sustain a robust and readily available medical system
  • Unique duty positions include: social worker; chief, Department of Social Work; chief, Social Work Service; director, Family Advocacy Program, U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center; clinical director, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program; division social worker;social worker, Community Mental Health Service; director, Mental Health, United States Army Disciplinary Barracks; medical social work, Army medical treatment facility; director, Social Work Fellowship in Child and Family Practice Program.

    • Requirements

    Active Duty

  • Master's degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
  • Current, unrestricted license for practice
  • Must be between 21 and 42 years of age
  • U.S. citizenship
    • Army Reserve:
  • In addition to the above qualifications, permanent U.S. residency is required for Reserve duty officers.
  • Must be between 21 and 42 years of age (may request a waiver, Locate A Recruiter for more informaion)

    • Training

    In the U.S. Army, the case diversity social workers experience in caring for Soldiers far exceeds the medical care environment of the private sector. As an Army Medical Service Corps officer, you'll have access to the most sophisticated technology and treatments, the opportunity to consult with experts in both the military and private sector, plus exceptional professional growth opportunities, including continuing education courses, seminars and conferences.

    Helpful Skills

  • The normal environment of an Army Medical Service Corps officer's work requires timesensitive problem analysis with an accurate, sound and immediate decision. Ability to operate under stress, apply critical thinking skills, make decisions and translate these skills to battlefield conditions is critical to medical and mission success.
  • Effective patient care requires the proper balance between technical skills and the ability to apply the appropriate treatment or procedure at the right moment. Army Medical Service Corps officers possess expert knowledge in their area of concentration, patient management, and general support and coordination principles. Social workers gain this knowledge through continuing medical education and experience sustained by mentoring, additional institutional training, continuous selfdevelopment and progressive levels of assignments within their specialty.

    • ASVAB

    The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is an examination that is administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command. It is used to determine qualification and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military.

  • No ASVAB

    • Compensation

    ACTIVE BENEFITS:
    In addition to the many privileges that come with being an officer on the U.S. Army health care team, you'll be rewarded with:

  • Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program provides 30 days of paid vacation earned annually
  • Noncontributory retirement benefits with 20 years of qualifying service
  • Nocost or lowcost medical and dental care for you and your family
    • RESERVE BENEFITS:
  • Noncontributory retirement benefits at age 60 with 20 years of qualifying service
  • Lowcost life and dental insurance
  • Travel opportunities, including humanitarian missions
  • Both active and Reserve duty officers enjoy commissary and post exchange shopping privileges; a flexible, portable retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k); may receive pay for continuing education; and specialized training to become a leader in their field.

    • See the whole list of Army Occupational Specialties here

    To learn more about the Army's rank structure, see our complete list of Army ranks.
    To see a list of military medals and decorations that can be earned by servicemembers in the Army and other branches of the military, see our list of military decorations and medals.