How to Become a Geriatric Social Worker in North Carolina
Want to become a geriatric social worker in North Carolina? The career outlook looks promising. Social work jobs will grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033. Healthcare social workers in North Carolina can expect even better prospects with a 16.6% job growth rate through 2032.
The demand for this social work career path continues to rise as America’s senior population grows faster. The CDC reports that seniors represented 15% of the US population in 2016. This number will reach 25% by 2030. North Carolina’s population will hit 11.7 million residents in the early 2030s, making it the seventh-largest state. The financial outlook appears bright too. Salaries typically range from $46,272 to $57,751, with some positions paying up to $154,000. Starting this rewarding career requires understanding specific requirements. These include education, licensing, and certification options for social workers in NC.
This detailed guide will show you the exact steps to start your career with older adults in North Carolina. You’ll learn about education requirements, licensing processes, and specialized certifications.
Understand the Role of a Geriatric Social Worker
Starting a career as a geriatric social worker in North Carolina means you should know exactly what this specialized role involves. Geriatric social workers, also called gerontological social workers, help improve older adults’ quality of life through many significant services.
Geriatric social workers promote, counsel, and coordinate care for older adults. Their complete approach starts with a full biopsychosocial assessment to understand each client’s unique situation. These evaluations gather key information about the client’s:
- Mental and emotional health
- Family relationships and support systems
- Living environment and social connections
- Financial circumstances
- Physical health and medical needs
The assessment results help geriatric social workers create customized care plans and coordinate services across multiple disciplines. They guide clients through the complex healthcare system and connect them with the right resources and benefits. They also provide essential counseling to help clients handle challenges like depression, grief, anxiety, and age-related adjustments.
These professionals step in during crisis situations to address elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or urgent mental health issues. They also help with day-to-day matters like moving between care settings, benefit applications, and setting up services such as home care, transportation, or meal delivery.
Who they work with and where
We focused on serving adults in their later years, but the work goes beyond direct client care to support families and caregivers. Social workers educate people about aging, guide them through care options, and provide emotional support for those caring for aging relatives.
These professionals work in various settings. About 63% of geriatric social workers are hired in healthcare environments, such as hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and hospice facilities. Others work in community health clinics, senior centers, adult day programs, social service agencies, and government organizations. Some visit homes to help older adults stay independent in their own space.
Why this role is increasingly important
The just need for geriatric social workers is growing by a lot due to several factors. We saw the aging population expand faster—in Türkiye, for example, the percentage of older adults rose from 8.8% to 10.2% over just five years, showing a 21.4% increase. The United States will see about 30% of Americans ages 65 and older needing geriatric care by 2030.
Despite this growing need, qualified professionals remain scarce. Only 9% of National Association of Social Workers members listed gerontology as their main practice area in 2005. Almost 50% of master’s level social work students show little or no interest in working with older adults after graduation.
This shortage raises concerns because research shows that geriatric social workers help improve patient morale, mental wellbeing, and even recovery times after surgeries. They play a vital role in helping older adults maintain independence and receive proper care and support.
Learning these requirements and responsibilities is your first step toward becoming a geriatric social worker in North Carolina. This career path offers both professional growth and a chance to make a real difference in older adults’ lives.
Step 1: Earn a Relevant Bachelor’s Degree
Your path to becoming a geriatric social worker in North Carolina starts with the right undergraduate education. This vital first step will give you the knowledge and skills you need to serve older adults throughout your career.
A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) provides the quickest way to start an entry-level geriatric social worker position. The BSW stands as the professional degree that opens doors to both public and private social agencies. You should think over whether this specialized degree matches your career goals or if you need a different approach.
Students typically complete a BSW program in four years. The program offers detailed training in core social work competencies. Your studies will cover:
- Human behavior and development
- Social welfare policy and services
- Family dynamics
- Community resource development
- Social work research methods
- Social work values and ethics
- Human and cultural diversity
The BSW offers the most direct path if you plan to start working right after graduation. All the same, you don’t need a social work degree if you want to pursue a master’s degree immediately. Remember, other degrees can prepare you for graduate studies, but only a BSW qualifies you for immediate social work positions after graduation.
Importance of CSWE-accredited programs
Your future career prospects depend on choosing a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. More than 700 universities now offer BSW programs nationwide, with about 500 holding CSWE accreditation. A CSWE-accredited program will give a solid foundation that employers value.
CSWE accreditation matters because:
- Most states require it for licensure
- Programs meet strict quality standards
- It confirms essential competency coverage
- It affects job and graduate program eligibility
North Carolina offers many CSWE-accredited programs, including flexible online options for students who juggle education with other commitments. These accredited programs follow CSWE’s Education Policy and Accreditation Standards, which prepare students for generalist practice.
Internship opportunities during undergrad
Field education serves as the life-blood of BSW education and adds hands-on experience to classroom learning. BSW students must complete at least 400 hours of field experience according to CSWE requirements. This makes up a big part of your undergraduate education.
These internships let you work with clients under professional supervision. Future geriatric social workers should look for placements that serve older adults. You might work at:
- Senior centers
- Adult day health care facilities
- Hospice organizations
- Healthcare settings with geriatric departments
- Social service agencies serving older populations
Your university’s field education office helps secure these opportunities. Many schools maintain relationships with agencies serving older adults and can match you with placements that fit your priorities. You can also volunteer at hospices, senior centers, or libraries to learn about working with older adults.
Field experiences do more than meet degree requirements. They help you see if geriatric social work matches your professional interests and which settings suit your skills best. These internships also add valuable experience to your resume, giving you an edge when job hunting after graduation.
Step 2: Gain Experience and Consider a Master’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree opens two paths toward becoming a geriatric social worker in North Carolina. You can start working right away or continue your education. Both paths help you meet geriatric social worker requirements.
Entry-level roles after BSW
Your Bachelor of Social Work degree qualifies you for many entry-level positions in aging services. The National Association of Social Workers states that BSW graduates can work in mental health facilities, aging services organizations, and residential treatment centers.
BSW graduates often start their careers in these nonclinical positions:
- Caseworker – advocating for older adults and guiding them through crises
- Residential Case Manager – overseeing daily activities in senior group homes
- Activity Director – designing enrichment programs in rehabilitation centers or specialized senior facilities
- Health Educator – providing health and wellness information to elderly clients
These roles give you hands-on experience with geriatric populations. This experience becomes valuable if you decide to get advanced credentials later.
The right time for an MSW
A BSW opens doors to entry-level positions, but many specialized gerontological roles just need a Master of Social Work degree. Of course, clinical positions require an MSW as the minimum educational qualification.
Full-time MSW programs take two years to complete. But many CSWE-accredited schools let BSW holders finish faster through “advanced standing” options.
Your career goals should guide your MSW timing. You might want to start your MSW right away if:
- You want to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- You need specialized knowledge in geriatric assessment techniques
- You plan to diagnose and treat psychosocial problems in older adults
Specializations in gerontology
Right now, about 60 campus-based and 11 online MSW programs offer specializations in geriatric social work. These programs teach you about mental, emotional, sociocultural, and financial challenges elderly adults face.
Key courses cover clinical social work methods, family dynamics, medical social work, and death and dying. Laura Burns, MSW at On Lok Lifeways shares, “My favorite class in social work school was motivational interviewing… This is a technique that I have used a lot in the hospital setting as well as my current job”.
Students who can’t take a formal concentration can still pick gerontology-focused electives to prepare for working with older populations. Field placements at senior-serving facilities remain crucial to develop practical expertise with this demographic.
Step 3: Get Licensed in North Carolina
Your geriatric social worker career path in North Carolina takes a crucial step forward after completing your education. The state’s credentialing options line up with your education level and career goals.
Licensing options: CSW, CMSW, LCSWA, LCSW
The North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board (NCSWCLB) gives you four credential types:
- Certified Social Worker (CSW): You need a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program and must pass the ASWB Bachelor’s exam. You don’t need prior experience.
- Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW): You need an MSW or higher from a CSWE-accredited program and must pass the ASWB Master’s exam.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA): This credential helps MSW graduates work toward clinical practice before meeting LCSW requirements.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): This top-level credential lets you practice clinical work independently in North Carolina.
North Carolina law requires clinical social work licensure. Geriatric social workers who provide clinical services must have either LCSWA or LCSW credentials.
Supervised clinical hours and exam requirements
Your path to LCSW licensure requires:
- 3,000 hours of post-MSW paid clinical employment
- A timeframe of 2-6 years
- 100 hours minimum of supervision from a qualified LCSW
- One hour of supervision for every 30 hours of clinical practice
- Group supervision cannot exceed 25 hours
You’ll start with the LCSWA credential to practice under supervision while you build these hours. The ASWB Clinical level examination becomes available after you document two years of clinical practice.
How to apply for licensure in NC
Here’s what you need to do:
- Send your application to the NCSWCLB
- Submit the $145 application fee
- Send official transcripts from your CSWE-accredited program
- Submit professional references (LCSWA needs one from a past/present supervisor)
- Fill out verification forms showing supervision and employment (for LCSW)
- Pass your ASWB examination
Remember to renew your credential every two years. You’ll need 40 continuing education hours, including 4 in ethics.
Step 4: Consider Geriatric Social Worker Certification
National certifications complement state licensure by recognizing your expertise in working with older adults. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers three different geriatric social worker certifications that showcase your specialized knowledge.
SW-G, ASW-G, and CSW-G credentials
These three gerontology certifications have been 17 years old since NASW created them to recognize excellence in serving older adults:
- Social Worker in Gerontology (SW-G) – Perfect for bachelor’s level practitioners with substantial experience working with seniors
- Advanced Social Worker in Gerontology (ASW-G) – Tailored for master’s level professionals providing non-clinical services
- Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology (CSW-G) – Ideal for licensed clinical social workers who provide direct mental health services to older adults
Eligibility and continuing education
Each credential comes with specific requirements:
The SW-G certification requires:
- A BSW from a CSWE-accredited program
- Three years (4,500 hours) of supervised experience with older adults
- 20 contact hours of relevant continuing education
To get ASW-G, you’ll need:
- An MSW from a CSWE-accredited program
- Two years (3,000 hours) of paid, post-MSW experience with older adults
- 20 contact hours of continuing education related to aging
The CSW-G just needs:
- An MSW plus clinical licensure
- Two years of supervised clinical work with aging populations
These certifications require professionals to follow NASW’s Code of Ethics and Standards for Social Work Services in Long-Term Care Facilities.
Benefits of certification for career growth
These optional credentials verify your specialized expertise and help you stand out in a field where all but one of these social workers focus on gerontology as their main practice area. Your certification shows your steadfast dedication to professional standards in geriatric care.
Maintaining your credentials requires ongoing education. You’ll need 20 continuing education contact hours every two years to recertify, which keeps you updated with best practices in gerontological social work.
Starting Your Career as a Geriatric Social Worker in North Carolina
A career as a geriatric social worker in North Carolina can be both meaningful and in high demand. This piece lays out the steps you’ll need to take to build your career in this vital healthcare field.
Your foundation starts with the right education. You’ll need either a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program or any bachelor’s degree plus an MSW. Real-world experience comes next through entry-level jobs or internships where you’ll work directly with older adults.
Getting licensed is your next big step. The North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board offers several credentials – CSW, CMSW, LCSWA, or LCSW. These depend on your education and career goals. On top of that, you can show your expertise in geriatric care with specialized certifications like SW-G, ASW-G, or CSW-G.
The future looks bright for this field. Social work jobs will grow 9% between 2021 and 2031. Healthcare social workers in North Carolina can expect even better prospects with a 16.6% growth rate. The money is good too – salaries typically range from $46,272 to $57,751, with some positions paying up to $154,000.
Numbers aside, this career gives you a chance to make real differences in seniors’ lives when they need help most. You’ll be their guide through complex healthcare systems and life changes.
Our aging population is growing faster than ever, but we don’t have enough qualified professionals. Your choice to become a geriatric social worker helps fill this gap while leading to stable, rewarding work.
Now you have a clear roadmap to launch your career helping North Carolina’s senior population. Your path to becoming a geriatric social worker can start today – it’s a journey that brings both career growth and personal satisfaction.