Medical Social Work and COVID-19

This has been a challenging time for both myself and the social workers that I work with in the medical field.  Dialysis social workers on the average "non-COVID day" are involved in helping patients attain their goals of improving their quality of life.   I have been told that the number of dialysis patients is projected to increase due to COVID as this virus leads to kidney failure too.  In supporting other social workers at my company, I realize fear plays a big role in our reaction to working in the midst of this virus.  I admit that when all changed in our world and we needed to carry a letter in order to commute to work (essential medical personnel), the new PPE requirements at work, wearing a surgical mask for 8-10 hours,  I felt fear.  But the fear was being fueled by a sense of being out-of-control.  For the first 2 weeks, I felt fear.  But now,  I consciously maintain a positive attitude.  Notice I said, "consciously".  It does take work to be positive with the social media and news surrounding us.  To regain control,  I limit my time on social media (like Facebook).  There is way too much negativity on Facebook right now for me.  I don't watch much news either now.  Instead, I pay attention to the authorities like John Hopkins University and the CDC.  Everyday, one of my social worker colleagues sends out a positive message to all of the social workers at my company.  I start  each day thinking of one thing that I am grateful for.  While at work, I consciously choose to be positive for my patients and team.  And yes, I am exhausted every day now.  I was recently tested for COVID and fortunately, the test was negative.  But I was advised that I must self- isolate for the next 7 days.  I am taking the week off to recharge.  My plans during my time off:  getting my CEUs for my State license renewal,  reading, and just plain-old-fashioned taking care of myself!  

Studying For The California Law and Ethics Exam- A Look Back at My Process

I decided to publish my journal entry about the first leg of a two-part process required in order to secure an LCSW license in California.  I utilized this study formula for both the law and ethics portion and the final licensing exam.  It has been over 2 years since I received my LCSW license, and as I plan to become a supervisor to social workers on their way to becoming an LCSW, I thought this blog post might be helpful to other social workers too.

I wanted to make sure to share my thoughts on preparing for the LCSW tests before I take the tests.  In California, we take the Law and Ethics test first (now required for all with an ACSW license) and once the applicant passes the Law and  Ethics test, then the social worker must take the ASWB (Association of Social Worker Boards) National Clinical Exam.  This presents a BIG change for the those of us navigating the California Board of Behavioral Sciences LCSW licensure process.  The Law and Ethics test is a completely new component even though there have always been 2 tests involved in becoming an LCSW.  The second test, the National Clinical Exam, is the test I believe the rest of the US has been using for quite some time.  I am relieved California changed to the this National Clinical Exam.

Back to the prep work I am doing for the first hurdle (Law and Ethics Exam).  I decided to utilize a couple of systems to prepare myself.  After consulting with colleagues who have taken their LCSW tests in the past year (even though only two social worker that I know have taken and passed the Law and Ethics exam so far), I made decisions about study material.  Many social workers recommended Therapist Development Center.  I like the concept behind their study materials because it doesn't involve memorizing concepts, but using logic to work through the questions. All study material is on-line and needs to be printed in order to follow along with the audio portions of the system.  An LCSW named Amanda guides the audio portions and provides solid advise on both the actual topics of law and ethics along with great tips on getting mentally/physically prepared for the test. Material is broken down into manageable steps.  This system involves creating a schedule of studying that leads up to the actual date of the test.  Basically, one could jam through the material and be ready to test in 2 weeks (probably if one was not working full time), or take the approximate 4 or 7 week schedule to prep for the test.  I am taking 6 weeks to prepare for the test.  I am scheduled to take the exam at the end of the month.  This system kind of forced me to call and schedule the test- reality check for me! Once there was a date in place, the clock is ticking.  I have up to 48 hours before the test to change my test date, but that won't happen unless I get sick or something unforeseeable occurs.

The second system I have decided to use is through the AATBS (Association for Advance Training in the Behavioral Sciences).  This was the other study package recommended by many of my social worker colleagues.  In this package, I received a study manual and study cards along with access to their online tests.  These tests can be taken over and over again.  So this method involves some memorization.  I have read over the Law and Ethics manual that was provided, and reviewed the study cards in the areas that I will need to focus on (laws that don't apply to my current or past jobs).

Starting this weekend,  I will be devoting massive amounts of time to studying.  I have discovered that I just can't study during my work week.  I work 10 hour days with added commute times (1 hour each way).  I am just too tired for my brain to take in anything after work!  I do bring the study cards from the AATBS with me everywhere I go, so I could look at them during free time.  So far, this has only happened twice.  But since I have a couple of car maintenance appointment coming up, I am sure I will be using the cards to study.

Am I nervous yet?  Nope.  Maybe I will get nervous about this test as the date gets closer.  I will continue to update my blog during my final countdown to to the test and through the entire California Law and Ethics testing process.

Passing the ACSW Test!

On January 13, 2017, I passed my licensing exam in the State of California becoming a licensed clinical social worker.  This has been my long term goal since graduating from the masters program in 2009.  In California, the road to licensure is a bit daunting!  In my first job, I was not supported in finding or pursuing my LCSW.  So after gaining 4 years of experience, I left that job specifically moving to a job that would provide supervision required to become an LCSW.  So, after registering with the State of California as an ACSW, my journey towards the goal of licensing began for me.  Besides completing all of the supervision hours, social workers have specific CEUs that must be completed. I spent over 2 years accruing the required 3200 hours of supervised work experience.  I then completed the required additional coursework.  (I believe 32 CEUs).  I then applied for and passed the Law and Ethics exam.   One week after passing the Law and Ethics exam, I began studying for my final exam...The ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards).  I passed that exam on January 13, 2017. Within one month, I received my actual California registered license.

I have reached a major milestone in my career and my life.  And at this point, I am taking the time to savor the moment!  

Organizing my life

I do not work in a clinic on Fridays because I have chosen to work 4 ten hour days instead.  It is  lovely to have a 3 day weekend, but the 10 hour day can be grueling.   I realize as I am writing this that as social workers, we really do need excellent time management/organization skills.  I had a social worker spend the day with me last week learning about how to balance our workload and organize. Before this new social worker came to my clinic, I spent the prior day reflecting on the way I structure my work life so that I don't burn out.  Our caseloads are huge and the documentation is overwhelming.  This is the battlecry of all social workers!  However, I have found a way to minimize the impact of the crazy-making on my life.   There are time management skills that I suppose I have just picked up over the years.  One thing that I must have...a paper calendar/planner.  I am using a Filofax for my work life and an Erin Condren planner for the rest of my life.  Without these two tools, I would seriously be lost.  Don't get me wrong:   I do use my Outlook calendar too and depend on my iPhone to remind me of appointments and meetings!    But for some reason, I am more comfortable relying on my planners to keep me organized.  And there is something to be said for being able to check-off items from a list.  I used to believe I was just "old school", but then I am seeing the popularity of all the planners.
My Filofax is professional looking but in purple...just because it's me.  I use the page per day layout.  I have extra pages for adding lists of organizing meetings, addresses of clinics in my region, music I need to download, restaurants I want to eat at, and of course...any helps/aids for obtaining my LCSW license.  And yes, again, I can have all of this available electronically.  But there is something about the visual that helps me.  Filofax is definitely not a cheap system.  However I focus on the investment.  And if you have something that is beautiful, you just may enjoy using it!

The Road to Becoming An LCSW In California

Time for a little catch-up on my progress to becoming an LCSW.  In January 2016 I completed all of the requirements for applying for the LCSW with the California Boards of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).  To work in my setting, I had needed my ACSW license already and was being supervised by an LCSW through my job- very valuable.  I should have completed my hours sooner, but I learned that since your supervisor has to sign off on all of the supervision, that supervisor is the final decision on the calculations of time in "group supervision" and the time in "individual supervision".  In December 2015 I met the requirements of:  3200 hours of supervised experience, 104 supervised weeks, the additional coursework, and all of the paperwork that needed to be signed and sent off to Sacramento.  With the changes in the examination structure in California, I did wait to take the first exam, Law & Ethics, until the testing material that was available had a chance to update.  In June 2016 I passed the Law & Ethics exam on my first attempt.  In my next post, I will explain what I did use to pass the Law & Ethics exam.  As of August 1, I will begin preparing for the second test, the ASWB Clinical Examination.
For those wanting more info on the LCSW process, here is the link: http://www.bbs.ca.gov/app-reg/lcs_requirement.shtml

Reboot time! "New job", moving on, the road to licensing...

Lots of changes have happened in my life since I last wrote on my blog!  A couple of social worker friends of mine had me re-examine my goals and I realized that I needed to make a change to keep me on track of achieving my goals. So in 2013 I began a new adventure.  I gave up some really challenging and fun projects that I loved working on co-chairing several fundraisers.    I also found another social worker position in a completely new setting and I am now working on accumulating needed hours for my LCSW.  And as I write this blog, I have also given my notice to the director of the program where I provide training classes for foster parents.  I have been teaching/training since 2006, so it is with mixed feelings that I leave this position.  I will miss the challenge of preparing and delivering a 4 hour training on Saturdays and all of the folks that I have met, but I will happily accept free Friday's and Saturday's! 
I now work in the dialysis setting.  Dialysis social work is providing me with lots of opportunities and challenges.  Besides working in a large dialysis clinic, in the beginning of 2015, I accepted the new position supporting a region of social workers too.  My new job as provided me with leadership training and for 6 months sent me to monthly day-long training sessions. 
This blog will be a mishmash of snapshots from my little corner of the world. 
As I work through the maze of red tape associated with obtaining my LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) for California, I am sure I will be writing about it all.  I am noticing that the California BBS (Board of Behavioral Sciences) is adding more conditions to licensing at this moment.  I currently have my ACSW license (Associate Clinical Social Worker) and  in 2016 all ACSW's will be required to take yearly Law & Ethics tests to maintain our ACSW licenses.  I might write more about a big bump I hit in the road in obtaining my LCSW supervision hours too.  I am still processing!   What I have learned is that some events and happenings are out of my hands (especially all things having to do with the process of licensing and supervision). 

Time to say, ENOUGH!

I realized I have not mentioned in this blog the problems being experienced living here in California and trying to do my job. A medical social worker brings tools (in the form of resources) to patients. With the state of the state, my job is becoming more and more difficult and frustrating at times. Thanks you Arnold for the cuts you are about to make to the California budget.

There are two areas that are about to be cut (the announcement was made yesterday) that will directly effect social workers: mental health and In Home Support Services. Both are areas that already have faced budget cuts and now to cut any further will definitely affect other services in California. Has the Governor figured out the side-effects of the current cuts?

Without the dollars for mental health services, we have already seen many people suffer without help. Without mental health services, emergency services will be impacted. Also, for the severely mentally ill, jail and prison will be the "remedy". And we already know that incarceration is extremely "cost effective"! (I am just being facetious.)

In Home Support Services is a program that this social worker heavily relies on with patients. This program provides help after my team of nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and myself leave the patient's home. It allows for the person with physical illness or a disability to remain in their own home and be fairly independent. Without this program, the State will have to then pay for these people to enter Skilled Nursing facilities. Again, the Governor needs to explain how this future cost is going to help the State of California's budget.

I wish politicians and the Governor could walk just one day in the shoes of one of the many people, like myself, who understand the challenges faced by our citizens, listen to the real stories, and then go back to our state capitol and figure out where to cut costs.

I have an idea. We need to clean house in Sacramento. Fire the whole lot of those that have been elected. They have failed. We need to start treating government the way we treat a business. Let's stop paying for the luxury vehicles the state is providing some officials, take a close look at expense accounts of those in office, no longer pay for elected officials to commute (fly) weekly back to Southern California, and examine other programs that impact our budget. Workers Compensation would be a good place to start. I know of cases involving city government employees who "schedule" their back injury to dovetail into retirement. We need more investigations of the Workers Compensation claims. And yes, these elected officials would feel some pain. Not being able to return home every weekend, unless they are solvent enough to pay the expense out-of-pocket, would be a definite hardship. But we have already created a great deal of pain and hardship on those without any voice, and that is unacceptable. Those with the biggest mouths (our elected officials), have yet to feel the kind of pain my clients and patients experience daily. ENOUGH!!!