The Practicum Companion for Social Work: Integrating Class and Fieldwork

by Birkenmaier, Julie M.; Berg-Weger, Marla

• ISBN13: 9780205474820
• ISBN10: 0205474829
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

The ideal companion for the first field/practicum experience, this text guides students through their placement while reinforcing the link between social work theory and practice. It includes detailed information on the field/practicum experience from start to finish. Topics covered include establishing a professional identity; working safely; making the most of practicum supervision; organizational issues; micro, mezzo, and macro social work practice; social work and the legal system; and terminating effectively from the practicum. To make the material more accessible, the book follows the progress of five studentsBen, Cameron, Corina, Lauren and Rosaas they move through their own practicum experiences. Their real-life stories help spur discussion while allowing students to apply the knowledge, skills, and/or issues presented in the text. To further stimulate critical thinking and discussion, the text provides discussion questions and practice applications in each unit. Many of the applications were developed in conjunction with agency-based field instructors.

Table of Contents

Preface	xii
1 Getting Started on Your Social Work Practice Career	1	(26)
Getting Started in Your Practicum	2	(16)
Developing Relationships at Your Practicum Cite	3	(1)
The Adult Learner: What Is It and Am I One?	4	(1)
What Kind of Learner Am I?	5	(2)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 1.1 Learning and Teaching Style Exercise	6	(1)
What Is My Role as a Student Learner?	7	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 1.2 Self-Assessment: What Do I Know and What Do I Need to Know?	7	(1)
What Can I Expect from My Practicum?	8	(1)
What Will the Social Work Program Expect from Me?	9	(1)
The Learning Plan	9	(4)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 1.3 Watch Your Body	12	(1)
What Can I Expect from My Practicum Site?	13	(1)
What Can I Expect from My Field Instructor?	14	(1)
Ethical Dilemma: To Confront or Not to Confront	14	(2)
What Can I Expect from My Faculty Liaison?	16	(1)
What Should I Expect from Myself?	16	(2)
Integrative Practice Field Seminar	18	(6)
What Can I Expect from the Integrative Practice Field Seminar?	19	(2)
What Can I Expect from My Seminar Instructor?	21	(1)
What Can I Expect from the Other Students?	22	(1)
What Should I Expect from Myself?	23	(21)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 1.4 Seeing My Practicum Site with Different Eyes	23	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 1.5 Seeing My Field Instructor with Different Eyes	24	(1)
Summary	24	(1)
Student Scenario Postscripts	24	(1)
References	25	(2)
2 Socialization into the Social Work Profession	27	(29)
Me? A Social Worker?	29	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 2.1 Often-Asked Client Questions	30	(1)
Strategies for Your Socialization as a Social Worker	30	(5)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 2.2 Social Work from Your Own Perspective	33	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 2.3 Social Work from Many Perspectives	34	(1)
Pulling It All Together: How Can I Juggle All the Roles?	35	(2)
Setting Professional Boundaries	37	(1)
Stress: Bane or Boon?	38	(6)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 2.4 How Well Is Your Well-Being?	40	(4)
Self-Care as Professional Development	44	(3)
Ethical Dilemma: Rosa's Stress	46	(1)
The Transitions of Professional Socialization	47	(6)
Coursework to Practicum	47	(1)
Beginning to Middle Phase	48	(1)
Middle Phase to Termination Phase	49	(1)
Subsequent Practica or Second Semester of Practicum to Graduation	49	(1)
Practicum Student to Professional Social Worker	50	(6)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 2.5 A Day in the Life of a Social Worker	50	(2)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 2.6 Thinking Like a Social Worker	52	(1)
Summary	53	(1)
Student Scenario Postscripts	53	(1)
References	54	(2)
3 Safety in Social Work Settings	56	(19)
The Scope of Personal Safety Risks in Social Work	56	(5)
Safety in the Practicum Setting	57	(1)
Reasonable Concerns and Caution	58	(10)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 3.1 Gathering Information	59	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 3.2 Gaining Skills	60	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 3.3 Assessment and Reflection	60	(1)
Assessment of Potentially Violent Clients	61	(1)
Specific Guidelines for Safety within the Office	62	(1)
Interacting with Clients within the Home and the Community	63	(3)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 3.4 Role-Play: Offsite Safety Rules	66	(1)
Working with Angry, Resistant, or Aggressive Clients	66	(1)
Follow-Up to Crises	67	(1)
Ethical Dilemmas Involving Safety Issues	67	(1)
Sexual Harassment	68	(4)
Defining Features of Harassment	69	(1)
Intervention	70	(2)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 3.5 Safety: Your Comfort Zone	71	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 3.6 Role-Play: Sexual Harassment	71	(1)
Ethical Dilemma: Confidential Medical Information	72	(1)
Helping to Ensure Client Safety	72	(1)
Summary	72	(1)
Student Scenario Postscripts	73	(1)
References	74	(1)
4 Making the Most of Your Practicum Supervision	75	(22)
What Is Practicum Supervision?	76	(3)
Who Provides Practicum Supervision?	77	(1)
The Practicum Supervision Approach	77	(2)
What Can I Expect from Practicum Supervision?	79	(7)
Ethical Dilemma: Addressing Your Field Instructor	80	(1)
What Can I Expect from My Field Instructor?	80	(3)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 4.1 Forewarned Is Forearmed	83	(1)
What Should I Expect from Myself?	83	(12)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 4.2 Supervision from the Other Side of the Desk	85	(1)
Ethical and Interpersonal Issues in Supervision	86	(3)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 4.3 What Are You Saying and What Are You Really Saying to Your Field Instructor?	89	(1)
Strategies for Maximizing the Effectiveness of Your Practicum Supervision	89	(4)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 4.4 Supervision: Expectations and Assessment	91	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 4.5 Use of Self: Finding Trends in Interactions?	92	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 4.6 Questions to Consider	92	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 4.7 A Student's Worst Fear	93	(1)
Summary	93	(1)
Student Scenario Postscripts	94	(1)
References	95	(2)
5 Organizational Issues	97	(24)
Ethical Dilemma: Staff Interactions	98	(1)
The Importance of Organizational Knowledge	99	(1)
Internal Elements of an Organization	100	(1)
Governmental (Public) Organizations	101	(1)
For-Profit Organizations	102	(1)
Nonprofit Organizations	103	(1)
Agency Size	104	(2)
Large Agencies	105	(1)
Small Agencies	105	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 5.1 Reflections on Practice Context	105	(1)
Management Theory	106	(2)
Classical Scientific Management Theories	106	(1)
Human Relations Theories	106	(2)
Structuralist Theories	108	(1)
Systems Theories	108	(1)
The Role of Social Work within the Organization	108	(3)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 5.2 Gathering Information	110	(1)
The Informal Organization	111	(2)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 5.3 Reflection on Explicit and Implicit Rules	113	(1)
Socialization into the Social Service Organization	113	(2)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 5.4 Reflections on Your Organizational Socialization	115	(1)
Uncovering Staff Violations	115	(3)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 5.5 Reflections on the Organization	116	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 5.6 Reflection through Illustration	116	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 5.7 Learning about Agency Structure through the Lens of Service Area/Client Issue	117	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 5.8 Tying Together the Agency and Social Work Values and Principles	117	(1)
Summary	118	(1)
Student Scenario Postscripts	118	(1)
References	119	(2)
6 Micro Social Work Practice in the Field: Working with Individuals and Families	121	(35)
Expectations for Student Learning in Micro Practice	122	(1)
Learning the "Business" of Micro Practice	123	(14)
Orientation	124	(1)
Caseload Assignment	124	(1)
Identifying Yourself as a Student	125	(1)
Role Transition	126	(1)
Charging for Services	127	(1)
Confidentiality	128	(2)
Documentation	130	(4)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 6.1 Documentation: Your Turn	134	(1)
Seeking Answers	134	(1)
Coverage	135	(1)
Collaboration	136	(1)
Ongoing Evaluation	136	(1)
Learning the "Process" of Micro Practice	137	(16)
Theory—Practice Integration: Evidence-Based Practice	138	(3)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 6.2 Application of Evidence-Based Theory to Practice: Testing Your Knowledge	139	(2)
Working with Challenging Situations with Clients	141	(1)
Ethical Dilemma: In the Best Interest of the Child	142	(1)
Unique Micro-Practice Opportunities	142	(5)
Developing Appropriate Expectations of Yourself and Your Clients	147	(1)
Use of Self in Micro Practice	148	(13)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 6.3 How to Handle Ethical Dilemmas	149	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 6.4 Case Re-Enactment	150	(2)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 6.5 Learning from the Client: When Listening Is Not Enough	152	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 6.6 Developing the Critical Self: Taking the Pain Out of Feedback	153	(1)
Practice Application 6.1 Follow-Up	153	(1)
Summary	153	(1)
Student Scenario Postscripts	154	(1)
References	154	(2)
7 Mezzo Social Work Practice in the Field: Working with Groups	156	(42)
Expectations for Student Learning in Mezzo Practice	158	(3)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 7.1 Groups, Groups, Groups	160	(1)
Learning the "Business" of Mezzo Practice	161	(11)
Orientation	161	(2)
Group Work Assignments	163	(1)
Identifying Yourself as a Student	163	(1)
Role Transition	164	(1)
Confidentiality	164	(2)
Documentation	166	(2)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 7.2 How Do Documentation Styles Compare?	166	(2)
Collaboration	168	(1)
Ongoing Evaluation	169	(3)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 7.3 Group Facilitator Self-Assessment	170	(2)
Learning the "Process" of Mezzo Practice	172	(15)
Theory—Practice Integration: Evidence-Based Practice	172	(6)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 7.4 Application of Evidence-Based Theory to Group Practice: Testing Your Knowledge	176	(2)
Working with Difficult Client Behaviors in the Group Setting	178	(3)
Ethical Dilemma: Culture Clash	181	(1)
Unique Mezzo-Practice Opportunities	181	(4)
Developing Appropriate Expectations of Yourself and Your Clients	185	(1)
Use of Self in Mezzo Practice	185	(2)
Working with Nonclient Groups	187	(8)
Group Member and Leader Roles	188	(1)
Techniques for Facilitating Group Meetings	189	(3)
Management of Challenging Group Dynamics	192	(4)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 7.5 Facilitating Your Own Interdisciplinary Group Meeting	193	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 7.6 Documenting Group Process: When the Obvious Isn't So Obvious	193	(2)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 7.7 Need a Mezzo-Level Practicum Experience? Start Your Own Group	195	(1)
Summary	195	(1)
Student Scenario Postscripts	196	(1)
References	196	(2)
8 Macro Social Work Practice in the Field: Working with Organizations and Communities	198	(28)
Ethical Dilemma: Engaging in Advocacy	200	(1)
Expectations for Student Learning in Macro Practice	200	(2)
Learning the "Business" of Macro Practice	202	(10)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 8.1 Gathering Information	202	(1)
Receiving a Macro Assignment	202	(5)
Orientation	207	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 8.2 Socialization into Macro Practice	208	(1)
Identifying Yourself as a Student	208	(1)
Practice in Smaller Communities	209	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 8.3 Professional Socialization in a Smaller Community	209	(1)
Role Transition	210	(1)
Confidentiality and Self-Determination	210	(1)
Collaboration/Coalitions	210	(1)
Writing/Documentation Skills	211	(1)
Ongoing Evaluation	212	(1)
Learning the "Process" of Macro Practice	212	(3)
Theory-Practice Integration	213	(1)
Managing Adverse Relationships and Conflicting Goals	213	(2)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 8.4 Reflections on the Use of Conflict in Social Advocacy	214	(1)
Developing Reasonable Expectations	215	(1)
The Impact of Contemporary Social Policy on Social Work Practice and Practica	215	(7)
Managed Care	215	(2)
Administrative Trends among Social Service Agencies	217	(1)
Welfare Reform	218	(14)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 8.5 Community Analysis through Observation	219	(2)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 8.6 Community Analysis through Illustration	221	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 8.7 A Macro Approach to the Educational Needs of Children Who Are Homeless	221	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 8.8 Role-Play: Social Advocacy	222	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 8.9 Contact with an Influential Person	222	(1)
Summary	222	(1)
Student Scenario Postscripts	223	(1)
References	223	(3)
9 Social Work Practice and the Legal System	226	(25)
Legal Terms	228	(2)
Grievance Procedures and Legal Resources for Clients	230	(2)
Professional and Student Malpractice Issues and Liability	232	(7)
Confidentiality	233	(2)
Ethical Dilemma: Clients' Legal Status	235	(2)
Documentation as a Legal Record	237	(3)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 9.1: Agency Records as Legal Documents	237	(2)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 9.2 Personal Notes as Legal Documents	239	(1)
Special Legal Issues in Practicum	239	(1)
Social Work Ethical Violations and Grievance Procedures	240	(2)
The Employing Agency	240	(1)
Profession	240	(1)
State	241	(1)
Court (Civil and Criminal)	241	(1)
If You Are Sued	242	(1)
Professional Court Involvement	242	(6)
Receiving a Subpoena	243	(1)
Testifying in Court and Serving as an Expert Witness	244	(11)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 9.3 Noncustodial Parental Rights to Review School Records	246	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 9.4 Reflections on the Legal System and Vulnerable Populations	247	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 9.5 The Courts: How Much Do You Know?	247	(1)
Follow-Up to Practice Application 9.3: Authors' Suggested Resolution	248	(1)
Summary	249	(1)
Student Scenario Postscripts	249	(1)
References	249	(2)
10 Termination: The Beginning of an End (or the End of a Beginning?)	251	(34)
What Has This Practicum Experience Meant?	252	(3)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 10.1 What Is Social Work and Where Do I Fit?	254	(1)
Beginning the Termination: Where Do I Start?	255	(5)
Joys and Frustrations: Taking Stock	256	(1)
Lessons Learned	257	(3)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 10.2 Termination through Journaling	258	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 10.3 Termination through Presentation	259	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 10.4 Termination through Illustration	259	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 10.5 Termination through Simulation	259	(1)
PRACTICE APPLICATION 10.6 Termination through Activation	260	(1)
The Nuts and Bolts of Termination with Your Clients, Agency, Field Instructor, and Social Work Program	260	(10)
Terminating with Clients	261	(3)
Terminating with Your Field Instructor and Agency Staff	264	(5)
Terminating with the Social Work Program	269	(1)
Ethical Dilemma: When Is It OK to Let Go?	270	(1)
Professional Development: Where Does It Begin and Where Does It End?	270	(12)
Employment Search: A Needle in a Haystack?	271	(6)
Succeeding in Your First Social Work Position	277	(1)
Involvement with the Professional Social Work Community	278	(2)
Social Work Credentials: To Get or Not to Get?	280	(2)
Summary	282	(1)
Student Scenario Postscripts	283	(1)
References	283	(2)
Appendix: Criteria for Determining the Best Graduate Social Work Program for You	285	(3)
Index	288