ABOUT
As a Navy Social Worker, you’ll provide support to service-members and their families in times of need. Many times, you’ll counsel people who are about to deploy, offer crisis intervention to those who have a history of trauma and lead workshops on a variety of topics. Being a clinical social worker allows you to be a Navy Officer and a practicing professional in family services, case management and therapy/psychology. Mental health is of utmost importance—this career provides you with the opportunity to provide care for the Sailors who need it most.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Social Worker and Officer in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you will typically provide:
- Advocacy, guidance and counsel for currently serving and retired military personnel and their families
- Resource coordination for social, psychological, behavioral, medical, financial, substance abuse, educational and transitional areas
- Mental health therapy, from physical illness and disease to family issues and traumatic experiences
- Crisis intervention
WORK ENVIRONMENT
As a Navy Social Worker, you’ll serve in a variety of locations, including Medical Treatment Facilities (MTF), Major Military Medical Centers, and Fleet and Family Support Centers around the world.
PAY AND BENEFITS
From the day you start, you’ll receive:
- Competitive salary
- Free health insurance
- Free housing
- A retirement plan
- 30 days paid vacation per year
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for employment consideration as a Social Worker in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you must meet these basic requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S.
- Master of social work (MSW) from a graduate school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Minimum of two years’ full-time supervised clinical social work experience (post-master’s degree)
- Current licensure/certification as a clinical social worker by the jurisdiction where practicing; licensure/certification must allow the social worker to practice independently
- Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty
- Be between the ages of 18 and 41
- Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination
You may also be expected to meet certain preferred requirements:
- Experience in mental health (inpatient and outpatient) with knowledge and skills in diagnosis, evaluation and treatment, medical social work, case management and discharge planning, family violence, including child and spousal abuse and developmental delays in children
- Supervisory program management or other leadership experience
- Knowledge, skill and comfort in working with populations from various cultural backgrounds
PART-TIME OPPORTUNITIES
There are part-time opportunities available. Serving part-time as a Reserve Sailor, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Social Workers in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes. This gives you the flexibility to expand your medical experience in the Navy without compromising your civilian practice at home.
For annual training, Social Workers may serve anywhere in the world, whether at sea, in hospitals stateside, or in bases and camps in countries around the world.
