Assessing in Social Work
Assessment is an essential skill that can be used at any level of social work. Assessments are important as they provide an evidence-based format to gather important information. Assessments can be used to diagnose mental illness, create service plans, and identify community needs, among other things. Social workers understand the benefits associated with using assessments such as being able to better understand clients and track progress.
In my social work practice, I use evidence-based assessments to make sure that I am understanding the needs of those that I serve. Assessments can be uncomfortable for clients due to the sensitive nature of certain questions. While performing assessments, I am sure to remain non-judgmental, understanding that the client is the expert of their situation. Throughout my career, I will continue to participate in opportunities to continue learning the most effective methods of assessment.
7.1: Formulate comprehensive assessments, using a variety of diagnostic classification systems
Course evidence: I learned a variety of assessment tools and diagnostic criteria while taking SOCW-632. This course guided me through the DSM-5 by breaking down each category of mental disorders with resources and diagnosing tips. For each of these categories, we were assigned to analyze videos and determine the diagnosis of the client based upon assessment criteria in the DSM-5. Here is an example of a written assignment I completed to demonstrate assessing for trauma related disorders.
Field Evidence: Cognitive assessments are an important part of hospice best practices. Establishing a baseline can assist the hospice team in tracking change in status, while making sure that hospice patients are appropriately on service. The agency did not have a standard procedure for administrating cognitive assessments, so I had the opportunity to research evidence based assessments and present them to the team at an in-service meeting. This is a video of me presenting to the hospice team and demonstrating how to perform the MMSE assessment.
7.2 Design and implement organizational and/or community assessments
Course Evidence: My Program Development class (SOCW-618) allowed for me to learn about how to develop, conduct, and incorporate Needs Assessments into the program development process. My group was able to develop a community needs assessment for post postpartum support in Chattanooga Tennessee to support the development of our program, Bright Beginnings.
Field Evidence: When I started my hours at Adoration Hospice the agency was in the process of attempting to start a bereavement support group for loved ones of hospice patients that have passed. I created a Bereavement Support Group Needs Assessment that could be utilized to establish a need for the support group based on current families under care. Unfortunately, due to the fact that the agency restructuring the project was put on hold, I was not able to implement the assessment. However, my field instructor has a copy in case the agency does decide to start a support group in the future.
Knowledge: For this evidence, I utilized my knowledge of a variety of different evidence based assessments. This includes cognition assessments, as well as mental health assessments. Additionally, I utilized presentation skills in order to put together the in-service training.
Values: Dignity and worth of a person is the NASW value that I try to display through assessments. Often times, assessments can come across as intrusive. Administering them with empathy and sensitivity is how I promote dignity while performing assessments.
Skills: Skills utilized for this competency include using the DSM-5, assessing the symptoms of mental illness, facilitating an in-service, identifying evidence based assessment tools, and developing needs assessments.
Cognitive: Select is the cognitive that best fits with this competency. It was important to select the right assessment tool for the situation. For example, there are a variety of cognitive assessment tools, so I reviewed literature to identify the most widely accepted cognitive assessment tool. When developing the community needs assessment, it was important to select the right questions.
Affective: Evaluating is the affective used for this competency. Evaluating involves using measuring tools. Assessments would fall into this category. Many assessment tools, such as the MMSE have specific instructions for calculating and evaluating results. This is something that I was able to explain during the in-service.
Theories: Person-in-environment theory assists social workers to understand and assess clients within the context of the environment. I try to utilize this theory as part of my framework when utilizing assessments in order to gain a holistic picture of the different ways a person’s environment influences their situation.