Health Careers
Human Services Worker
Professional Activities
“Human service worker” is a generic term for people who hold professional and paraprofessional jobs in such diverse settings as group homes and halfway houses; correctional centers; community mental health and development disability centers; elder, family, child, and youth service agencies; and programs concerned with drug abuse alcoholism, family violence, and aging. Depending on the employment setting and the kinds of clients served there, job titles and duties vary a great deal.
The primary purpose of the human service worker is to assist individuals and communities to function as effectively as possible in the major domains of living. Some examples of occupational titles of human service workers include: Case Worker, Family Support Worker, Life Skills Instructor, Probation Officer, Group Home Worker, Mental Health Worker, Community Outreach Worker, Residential Manager, Care Coordinator.
A strong desire to help others is an important consideration for a job as a human services worker. Individuals who show patience, understanding, and caring in their dealings with others are highly valued by employers. Other important personal traits include effective interpersonal communication skills, a strong sense of responsibility, and the ability to manage time effectively.
Human Service Workers are found in diverse settings such as group homes, correctional facilities, community mental health centers, and a wide variety of other social service programs. In rural Alaska, employment opportunities include regional health corporations and federal, state, and local governmental agencies.
Educational Requirements
The human service worker may be a paraprofessional with a two-year associate degree or a professional with a four-year bachelor’s degree.
- Graduation from high school or completion of a GED.
- Completion of a two-year associate of applied science degree in human services, or
- Completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree in human services.
Academic Programs
The University of Alaska Anchorage offers both a two-year associate of applied science (AAS) degree and a four-year Bachelor of Human Services (BHS) degree. The AAS is articulated with the BHS in a “two plus two” sequence. The program offers specialized areas in substance abuse, disabilities, diversity issues, or family and youth. The Human Services Department also houses the Addictions Minor at UAA and offers an Occupational Endorsement Certificate in Conflict Resolution. It should also be noted that graduates of the Human Services AAS and BHS programs have recently been approved to apply for State of Alaska Chemical Dependency Counseling Certification.
For more information, contact:
University of Alaska Anchorage
Human Services Department, BMH 106
3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Phone: (907) 786-6437
Fax: (907) 786-6436
Email:ayhumsbhs@uaa.alaska.edu
Web site: http://hums.uaa.alaska.edu/
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Tanana Valley Campus offers an associate of applied science degree in Human Services primarily for students in Fairbanks and surrounding communities that can attend traditional classroom sessions. There are some on-line courses available too. This AAS degree offers a selection of emphasis tracts including addictions, behavioral health, residential treatment, and mental health/developmental disabilities.
For more information, contact:
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Tanana Valley Campus
Bob Parr, Coordinator
604 Barnette Street
P.O. Box 758040
Fairbanks, AK 99775
Phone: (907) 455-2882
Email:
Web site: http://www.tvc.uaf.edu/programs/HUMS/index.html
The College of Rural and Community Development’s Interior-Aleutians Campus offers a two-year Rural Human Services certificate Program. It is intended for Alaska Natives who are natural helpers and healers in their communities, and it is designed to offer culturally appropriate training for village-based providers. Courses blend Native and Western knowledge, values, and principles.
For more information, contact:
Interior-Aleutians Campus
Harper Building
P.O. Box 756720
Fairbanks, AK 99775
Toll free: (800) 478-5696
Fax: (907) 474-5208
Email:
Web site: http://www.uaf.edu/rhs/index.html
The College of Rural and Community Development also offers the A.A.S. in Human Services through three program delivery pathways. Students may complete the A.A.S. degree entirely through distance education from their respective home communities without moving to a main campus. Qualifying students may also participate in a blended delivery cohort program that includes both weeklong face-to-face session and distance education; or, at participating rural campuses and UAF centers, students can take courses locally in a classroom setting. The leading degree emphasis for this program is in behavioral health, addictions services, and workforce development services. Most credits earned will apply to the bachelor’s degree in social work and bachelor’s degree in rural development, which are also distance delivered.
For more information contact:
Larry Roberts, Statewide Rural Coordinator Human Services
College of Rural and Community Development
315C, 510 Second Avenue
P.O. Box 75651
Fairbanks, Alaska 99775
Phone: (907) 455-2056
Email:
Web site: http://www.uaf.edu/crcdhealth/index.htm
Contacts
National Contacts:
National Organization for Human Services
90 Madison Street, Suite 206
Denver, CO 80206-5418
Phone: (303) 320-5430
Fax: (303) 322-1455
Web site: http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/
Mental Health America
2000 N. Beauregard Street, 6th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: (703) 684-7722
Toll free: (800) 969-6642
Fax: (703) 684-5968
Web site: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/about-us
This page was last updated by Janice Troyer on July 12, 2007
