Human Service Worker

Human Service Worker Certificate of Achievement

Overview

The Human Service Worker Program provides students with the knowledge and skills to perform essential, entry-level Human Service Worker tasks in a competent and ethical manner, with an understanding of and sensitivity to the diverse populations which they will serve.

Human Service Workers are non-professional, entry-level workers who provide services to clients under the supervision of counselors, social workers, nurses, and/or other professionals. Human Service Workers may be members of a team or work with little direct supervision. Typical duties include: determining and referring to appropriate human service agencies; assisting in the application for benefits and other social programs; providing transportation; providing training in daily living skills; co-facilitating individual, family and group counseling sessions; advocating for clients before social and government agencies; and maintaining case records and reports.

Employers prefer potential Human Service Workers to have completed post-secondary certificate training (usually a minimum of 12-18 units at a community college or occupational training program) and who have some on-the-job experience, such as is provided by cooperative work experience or an internship class. This program meets these employer needs, and gives students a clear employment advantage over untrained, inexperienced job applicants.

The Human Service Worker Program is, for many, a first step on a career path. It is an important step in an academic path, as well. Many of the courses in the Human Service Worker Program may be applied to the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Studies Certificate and Degree Programs for those students who want to continue with more advanced study, and who are interested in seeking more complex and challenging employment opportunities. Students who receive their Human Service Worker certificate can continue their studies in the AOD Studies Program while employed.

Human Service Worker -  Certificate Requirements

Additional Resource: Course Descriptions

It is the Mission of Mendocino College's Human Service Worker Program to:

• Prepare students to function as entry-level Human Service Workers in an ethical and competent manner, with an understanding of and sensitivity to the diverse populations which they will serve;
• Support instructors, staff and students in building and maintaining effective partnerships with local human service agencies which support students’ education and help meet employer’s on-going needs for prepared, entry-level human service workers;
• Instill in graduates of the program a commitment to their continued professional development.

Program Objectives:

1. Graduates will demonstrate basic knowledge of basic knowledge of entry-level Human Service Worker duties and responsibilities
2. Graduates will readily find entry-level employment in positions such as, but not limited to:Public Health Aide; Social Worker Assistant; Outreach Worker;  Crisis Worker; Human Service Worker (Mental Health); Community Health Representative, etc.; 
3. Program graduates and employers of program graduates will verify that the education received in our program prepares graduates to function competently in entry-level human service worker positions.
4. Human Service Program instructors, staff, and other key college personnel will maintain a regular, constructive and collegial dialogue with partnering human service agencies in order to optimize student educational experiences.

2-Semester Sequence

Mendocino College will make every reasonable effort to schedule classes which allow students to make timely progress toward their degree or certificate goals.   All classes indicated in this sequence will be offered at the location where the full degree or certificate is available if enrollment includes a continuing student who has previously declared the major and has successfully completed a minimum of 6 units toward the degree or certificate.  Courses may be offered day and/or evening and students should understand that they need to adjust their schedules accordingly.   This scheduled sequence may be modified in circumstances beyond the control of the College such as the absence of a qualified instructor.  

 *HUS 170: Intro to Social Work or AOD 151: Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Overview may be substituted for HUS 101

Internship Information

• Internship Instructions
• Approved Internship Sites
• Student-Employer Contact Information Form
• Student Learning Objective
• Job Description Form
• Employer Evaluation of Student Form

Professor Dan Jenkins, MA - Program Coordinator

707-468-3020; djenkins@mendocino.edu; fax: 707-467-1017

1000 Hensley Creek Rd., Room 1201; Ukiah, CA 95482