Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Portland, ME

Common tasks

• Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
• Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
• Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
• Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
• Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
• Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
• Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
• Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources.
• Counsel or aid family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting the client or patient.
• Increase social work knowledge by reviewing current literature, conducting social research, or attending seminars, training workshops, or classes.