Social Work Interview Preparation Guide
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Social Work job preparation guide for freshers and experienced candidates. Number of Social Working frequently asked questions(FAQs) asked in many interviews

50 Social Work Questions and Answers:

1 :: Describe your experience with care plan conferences?

► Review the actual care plan during the conference
► Invite participation from resident/family/responsible party

2 :: What is social work?

Social work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and subjective well-being of individuals, families, couples, groups, and communities through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, crisis intervention, and teaching for the benefit of those affected by social disadvantages such as poverty, mental and physical illness or disability, and social injustice, including violations of their civil liberties and human rights. The profession is dedicated to the pursuit of social justice and the well-being of oppressed and marginalized individuals and communities.

3 :: Suppose you have 5 computer assessments due, 3 new admissions, 2 discharges and care plans today. How do you prioritize your day?

► Organize day into related activities to increase efficiency
► Do all related tasks at once, i.e. gather all charts to complete MDS
assessments at one time
► Determine what time the residents will be discharging and ensure
all services are arranged to facilitate a safe d/c plan (all this should
have already been arranged prior to the day of d/c but now it's just
making sure it all falls into place)
► Since care plans are at scheduled times, all other activities must
take place around those
► Save the new admissions for the end of the day unless
intervention is needed sooner
► Remain focused on the task at hand
► Minimize interruptions

4 :: What is grievance policy?

Grievance reports are written whenever an issue/complaint cannot be immediately resolved (and sometimes then as well).

5 :: How do you know when to write a grievance report?

Usually, the social worker is responsible for maintaining the grievance log and reporting issues/trends at the quality meeting.

6 :: How do you describe risk management?

Risk management is anything related to reducing the possibility of loss or injury; it requires excellent communication and teamwork as well as ongoing training, especially in areas of customer service.

7 :: Describe the components of a care plan for a resident with depression?

► The Problem Statement needs to be resident specific and describe
How depression impacts his/her quality of life
► The goal should
► Offer positive value to the resident
► Improve his/her life somehow
► Be measurable and realistic
► Address causal factors and not symptoms such as tearfulness or Combativeness.

8 :: What are the components of a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment?

► Focus on resident strengths throughout the entire interview and
assessment process
► Identifying information (ethnicity, spirituality, appearance,
payer source, etc.)
► Reason for admission and presenting problems, prior living
arrangements and level of assistance needed with ADLs and
IADLs
► Advance directives and need for advance care planning
► History of physical and/or psychosocial problems
► Mental health and psychological treatment
► Personal and family history
► Support system
► Education and employment history
► Interests/hobbies
► History of substance abuse
► Cognitive functioning
► Discharge plan, if appropriate
► Impression and assessment

9 :: How do you prepare to interview a new resident/patient?

► Advance directives
► Responsible parties
► Diagnoses and impact on mood/behavior
► Discharge planning issues or placement issues if for long term care
► Issues from the hospital such as mood or behavior challenges
► Review of nursing assessments, especially fall, pain and elopement risks - ensure care plans are started
► Identify areas that the social worker can contribute to an interdisciplinary approach to care plans
► Therapy evaluations to get information on the prior level of functioning and goals

10 :: How do you explain code status to a resident and/or family member?

► First ask if they have questions regarding advance directives or code status
► Ask them to explain their understanding of the choice, either full code or do not resuscitate (DNR)
► Ensure accuracy of understanding
► If education is needed, explain full code in the same way that any other treatment or procedure is explained which includes discussion of risks (broken ribs, punctured lungs, probably decreased quality of life). Inform that Full Code includes many procedures, i.e. intubation, cardiac compression, artificial ventilation, etc.,
► Take the orange card to the meeting as a visual aid
► If education is needed for DNR, explain that comfort care is always provided, i.e. oxygen, pain management
► If code status is changed, must communicate with the charge nurse to get appropriate orders and follow facility procedures.