Week 2

Well, I have two weeks under my belt and feel really good about how things are going. I still haven't had much direct contact with the patients (as the social workers at Carter don't do a lot of one on one) but am planning on following a couple of the patient cases.

Activities -

1) Filled out Medicare application
2) Participated in discharge planning meeting with client
3) Attended a meeting with behavioral/mental health providers for three of our deaf patients that will be moving into a home together.

Other than that, I continued to orient to the hospital and get accustomed to the policies/procedures. I enjoyed my week and hope I will get more "hands on" experience as the the weeks progress.

Learning -

I decided to add this section as I wish to reflect on what I have learned thus far. I find in amazing just how complex and complicated the state FSSA system is. There is such a large chain of command and the bureaucratic nonsense that employees have to deal with really takes away from patient care. I find that the more the state cuts funding and rearranges the way the FSSA is managed, the more hospitals, such as Carter, are shoved to the side and ignored.

I also learned that social workers have many different tasks, and depending on the setting, wear different "hats" at different times. Social workers at Carter mainly do case management and are less focused on direct work with patients. Even the social workers who have an LCSW do little if any psychotherapy. I realize, by my experience at Carter, that the type of social work I perform will be greatly influenced by the agency/setting that I work in.

These items stick out in my mind as the main lessons learned thus far. It is quite exciting to reflect on the lessons I am learning just by observing the daily happenings of the hospital. I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and am closer to understanding the role I will play in the social work field :)

Reflection -

Research/micro

As I am interacting more with the patients, I realize that there is a lot to be learned about how to interact with persons with a large range of mental illnesses. No one method will work for each person, and I believe that doing a research project on how to effectively deliver social services to persons with mental disorders/handicaps would be beneficial. It isn't the same as working with someone who has an average intellect. Most of the patients at Carter don't process information in the same manner as most people do, and I would be better prepared to work with this population if I learn techniques and strategies on how to communicate and interact more efficiently. More effective and correct communication between the patients and I will lead to better social work.

Total Hours this Week (with 2 seminar hours): 16 hrs, 20 minutes
Total Hours to date: 31 hours, 50 minutes