Human Services Worker

Human services worker is a generic term for people performing jobs such as social service technician, case management aide, social work assistant, residential counselor, alcohol or drug abuse counselor, mental health technician, child abuse worker, community outreach worker, or gerontology aide. These individuals generally work under the direction of social workers or, in some cases, psychologists. Human service workers play a variety of roles in community settings. They may organize and lead group activities or assist clients in need of counseling or crisis intervention. In psychiatric clinics, they may help clients master everyday living skills, and teach them how to communicate more effectively and get along better with others. The substance abuse counselor helps people who are physiologically or psychologically dependent on alcohol or drugs deal with their dependency. The substance abuse counselor also helps family members, former addicts, and those who are afraid they might become addicts.