1: Unit One--An Overview of the Human Services Field
- Page ID
- 208802
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Image Source: "Characteristics of helping professionals." Mont Rose College.
Human Services: Making a Difference in People's Lives
The field of Human Services is a broadly defined one, uniquely approaching the objective of meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations. The Human Services profession is one which promotes improved service delivery systems by addressing not only the quality of direct services, but by also seeking to improve accessibility, accountability, and coordination among professionals and agencies in service delivery.
Human Services Professionals
"Human services professional" is a generic term for people who hold professional and paraprofessional jobs in such diverse settings as group homes and halfway houses; correctional, intellectual disability, and community mental health centers; family, child, and youth service agencies, and programs concerned with alcoholism, drug abuse, family violence, and aging. Depending on the employment setting and the kinds of clients served there, job titles and duties vary a great deal.
The primary purpose of the human services professional is to assist individual and communities to function as effectively as possible in the major domains of living.
A strong desire to help others is an important consideration for a job as a human services worker. Individuals who show patience, understanding, and caring in their dealings with others are highly valued by employers. Other important personal traits include communication skills, a strong sense of responsibility, and the ability to manage time effectively.
Examples of Occupational Titles of Human Service Workers
| Case Worker Family Support Worker Youth Worker Social Service Liaison Residential Counselor Behavioral Management Aide Case Management Aide Eligibility Counselor Alcohol Counselor Adult Day Care Worker Drug Abuse Counselor Life Skills Instructor Client Advocate Neighborhood Worker Social Service Aide Group Activities Aide Social Service Technician Therapeutic Assistant Probation Officer |
Case Monitor Parole Officer Child Advocate Gerontology Aide Juvenile Court Liaison Home Health Aide Group Home Worker Child Abuse Worker Crisis Intervention Counselor Mental Health Aide Community Organizer Intake Interviewer Community Outreach Worker Social Work Assistant Community Action Worker Psychological Aide Halfway House Counselor Assistant Case Manager Rehabilitation Case Worker Residential Manager |
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Attribution: National Human Services Organization
National Organization for Human Services
2001 Duncan Drive NW, PO Box 201
Kennesaw, GA 30156
(503) 595-2736