Human Service Worker Certificate of Achievement
"This class has been more thought-provoking than I was able to express until now. I've gained perspective on some of the most crucial and core elements of my work in human services; developing my own Philosophy of Life to acknowledge suffering and failure as integral to the human experience has made me more mindful of how I approach my role and how I can accept the limits of my work. Our discussions on self-care, informed consent, supervision, self-monitoring and, above all, your emphasis on being present - these insights have elevated my awareness in unprecedented ways. Thank you for this opportunity for growth." [Regarding the HUS 103 Practicum Seminar]-Ariel M. CONTENTSOverviewRequired CoursesMission and Program Objectives2-Semester SequenceInternship InformationContact UsOverview
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:
- Graduates will demonstrate basic knowledge of basic knowledge of entry-level Human Service Worker duties and responsibilities
- 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.;
- 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.
- 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.
Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
---|---|
HUS 101: Intro to Helping Professions* | HUS 154: Fundamentals of Interviewing and Counseling |
HUS 152: Basic Skills for Human Svc Workers | HLH 55: Applied Health, OR HLH 103: Women’s Health, OR HLH 200: Health Education |
HUS 156: Case Management and Documentation | HUS 103: Field Placement Seminar |
HUS 197a: Field Placement Practicum |
*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