Social Worker Officer occupation

[BadEnoughDudeRescueRonny]

MedCorps,

Thank you very much for your extremely informative reply. You provided me with an impeccable answer that really entices me further to join the CF as a Social Work Officer. I'm especially interested in the sheer diversity that a military social work position brings. As a Canadian citizen, I feel as though it is my duty to aid those who have made tremendous sacrifices in not only doing their duties, but securing the freedom of oppressed populations.

It looks like I'm definitely going to be giving Capt. Macfarlane a call immediately as well as sending him an e-mail for further information. If all goes well, I look tremendously forward to serve in the CF as a Social Work Officer, ideally giving both aid and a voice to those within, or affiliated with, the CF during their times of need and/or crisis.

Again, thank you MedCorps.

Best Regards,

BadEnoughDude

 

[OldSolduer]

BED - we needed you and more MSWs ten years ago, but having said that,  please get in ASAP!

 

[Pieman]

Hi BED,

You might want to try contacting one of the OSI clinics. I'm not quite sure how it works, but I believe some of the clinics are private companies that are contracted out to handle veterans. There is a list of them here:

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/mental-health/support/osi-clinics-support

You might be able to work with them while waiting to get your uniform back.

 

[BadEnoughDudeRescueRonny]

Thanks all for the great suggestions. It looks like my work is cut out for me . There are just so many opportunities here and I have to thank the posters on this thread for providing me with some excellent leads for careers in Social Work. The opportunity to serve in uniform again has me very excited, but most importantly, the fact that I may have the opportunity to help our troops and their families get through difficult times and provide diverse means of support for our troops and their families is extremely enticing. Given the tremendous obstacles our soldiers face, I feel as though it is only right for me to put my education towards aiding them. The general populace knows very little of the difficulties that our men and women in uniform face and I feel as though it is my duty to aid them in living healthy, happy and safe lives. How I see it is that our troops put everything on the line in the name of Canada, and as such, it is my duty to give back to them and help them in their time of need.

 

[BadEnoughDudeRescueRonny]

Hi all! I'm sorry to bombard everyone with questions about Social Work Officers, it's just that I really have my mind set on it! I have a question about the training that a Social Work Officer has to go through. Now, I know for a fact that Soc. Work Offr's have to go through BMOQ as well as BOTP, but as I'm going to be joining the Army (as opposed to the Navy), I'm guessing that I'll have to do CAP (or whatever it's called now ). I think I read somewhere that Social Work Officers skip CAP, but this makes absolutely no sense. I'm completely clueless as to what training I should expect, given that training's changed a bit since when I was in the Army! I've done BOTP and CAP before and they weren't too bad at all. Any suggestions would be tremendously appreciated!!

 

[aesop081]

I know for a fact that Soc. Work Offr's have to go through BMOQ as well as BOTP,

You sure about that "fact"

BMOQ is what used to be called BOTP ( essentialy). They are not 2 courses you will have to take. You will do BMOQ.

but as I'm going to be joining the Army (as opposed to the Navy),

The CF will decide that, not you. Regradless, the course is BMOQ-Land..........not CAP.

but this makes absolutely no sense.

Since you are "clueless" ( as you say below) you are not in a position to determine what makes and doesn't make sense.

I'm completely clueless as to what training I should expect,

The stop stating things as "fact".

 

[Danjanou]

I'm completely clueless as to what training I should expect, !!

You know sometimes it's just too easy on here.

Good thing I'm out now as seriously somehow I don't see myself as comfortable approaching you to discuss personal issues or problems, but then what do I know about  being a carebear.  8)

 

[BadEnoughDudeRescueRonny]

You sure about that "fact"

BMOQ is what used to be called BOTP ( essentialy). They are not 2 courses you will have to take. You will do BMOQ.

The CF will decide that, not you. Regradless, the course is BMOQ-Land..........not CAP.


Since you are "clueless" ( as you say below) you are not in a position to determine what makes and doesn't make sense.

The stop stating things as "fact".

Ouch  . I was just looking for some info as to what to expect :dunno: . I'm really *really* set on getting this trade so I want to know every little detail involved. I digress, I'm sorry if I irked you with my first post.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

I'm a long time NCM. Long time.

Here's what I expect:

If you're an Officer, wearing the rank, you have a job to do.

I don't care what your trade is. I don't care what training you've got.

Bottom line? You are an Officer. The ranks below you are looking for guidance, security and confidence.

Everything you've been taught has been to take charge of the situation. A downed RCAF pilot better be able to take care of a wayward Infantry squad as well as anyone else.

If you have trouble with that concept, please respond. PM will work.

 

[MedCorps]

Social Work Officers do BMOQ. 

They then are required to get a language profile, this is somewhat different then the rest of the Health Services Officer MOS where language training comes latter (if ever) in your carrer. I think the requirement is BBB.

There is then an on the job training (OJT) process. Not sure how involved or how formal it is.  Seems like people have it done in six months or quicker. It is done at your first posting.

There is talk that the CFHS is making a "common course" to teach HS garrison duties, HS organization, platoon level field medical leadership and tactics, etc to replace the Basic Field Health Services Course (BFHSC).  The BFHSC  is only taken by a few MOS right now (Social Work Officer is not one of them) but I am told the new common course will be taken by all CFHS MOS. This is essentially our Phase IV.

MC

 

[jb73]

Hi everyone,

I am hoping this is the right place for this post. I am attempting to get some information and or questions answered regarding the ROTP path in the CF.

I have visited the recruiting office in my area but was kind of busy there so i was just able to get some quick answers. I am looking to enter the CF via the ROTP program. What I was hoping to take was a bachelors in social work, given I already have a two year college diploma in social service work. This would cut my scholling in half as I have universities that have transfer agreements with my college and this would basiclly give me two years worth of university credit. Then if possible take the extra year for my masters.

The recruiter told me that the CF does not accept ROTP for that schooling, she was not sure why but just the it is not paid for and they only accept people who already have their BA in SW and will pay for their masters. Does anyone know why this is? Does the CF not pay for other programs like medical or dental school? I feel as though this would be a great thing to offer potential appliocants looking to enter this field as mental health is just as important as physical health.

I also notice that on the job section on the CF website that Social Wker is an in demand trade and if this is because they are having trouble recruiting this trade maybe this should be offered through ROTP. These of course are just my opinions but if anyone can shed some light on my questions I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[aesop081]

SW is not available through ROTP......that's it that's all.

From the trade fact sheet on the CF recruiting page:

To be eligible for selection as a Social Work Officer, you need to possess a Bachelor's of Social Work (BSW) or a Master's of Social Work (MSW) degree. If you only have a BSW, the CF does subsidize the MSW for selected candidates and therefore, you will need proof that you are accepted without any condition in a MSW program, in an accredited social work school at a Canadian university (the accreditation is from the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work).

Pretty clear to me.

Why is it that way ? It doesn't matter. that's how it is.

 

[MedCorps]

CDN Aviator is correct, it is not available for the conventional ROTP undergraduate degree sponsorship.

Because the CF Health Services needs people with a Master's in Social Work (MSW) right off the start line on day one of the job, and due to the fact that it is not desirable or fiscally responsible to sponsor someone for an undergrad followed by a post-grad degree (5-6 years +) before we get a return on investment on them, the powers that be have opted to recruit people who already have a MSW or who have a BSW but who have been accepted to a MSW program.

Why MSW versus BSW?  The Canadian Association for Social Work Education has indicated that someone with a MSW (verses a BSW) will have, "sufficient competence for advanced, specialized or supervisory social work roles.”  Furthermore they state that, "graduates from MSW programs shall have demonstrated ability to critically analyze, synthesize, use, evaluate and develop theory in relation to complex practice problems in the context of social work values and ethics.” We also are looking for someone who has the additional 450 to 900 extra practicum hours (and/or a thesis) that a MSW provides over a BSW.

I hope that helps.

If you are really interested in being a social worker in the CF I recommended transferring into a BSW  and complete it. Once accepted to a MSW spin by to the CFRC and put in your application.  I also encourage you to work on your second language while in undergrad as there is a mandatory BBB language requirement for Social Work Officers.  This is trained after your MSW, but if you already have the competency it can save you a lot of time, energy, and frusteration when you are biting a the bit to get into the clinic.

We do sponsor Dental Officers (4 years) and Medical Officers (6 years).  Medical Officers is the exception to the rule, as we sponsor a four year MD followed by a two year family medicine residency. This is only after the applicant has been admitted to medical school on their own accord, most often after already completing an undergraduate degree on their own dime. 

MC

 

[J.L Blanchard]

Hello, I am still in College but once I obtain my BSW I will be applying to get my MSW subsidized. It would be great to keep in the loop on how everyone's process is going and to help each other a lot the way.

 

[JesseMcColl]

Just wondering
I have an application on hold. My intentions are to make a career of it. BASIC , BASIC OFFICER QUALIFICATION RMC , BACHELORS AND MASTERS OF SOCIAL WORK. FINALLY SOCIAL WORKER OFFICER. I believe I have the STRENTH DETERMINATION AND INTELLIGENT DETICATION to accomplish these goals , however that said I ... Others believe me to have some form of hypo mania or just enough of an edge to perhaps be hypo mania. I can live with out medication currently not on mood stabalizers 300 mg of seraquil cause the doctor says so. I m just as grumpy as an MP WHO WOKE UP ON THE wrong side of the bed and found halff of a dead rat in his/her rations , without medication im like this. I can suck it up I just trust army psycologists , phyciatrists over public sector ones. So my question... When my application begins being processed will I have an assesment done by a qualified Army official or will my health records , specificly pshy. Profile be sufficent?

 

[Goose15]

Just wondering
I have an application on hold. My intentions are to make a career of it. BASIC , BASIC OFFICER QUALIFICATION RMC , BACHELORS AND MASTERS OF SOCIAL WORK. FINALLY SOCIAL WORKER OFFICER. I believe I have the STRENTH DETERMINATION AND INTELLIGENT DETICATION to accomplish these goals , however that said I ... Others believe me to have some form of hypo mania or just enough of an edge to perhaps be hypo mania. I can live with out medication currently not on mood stabalizers 300 mg of seraquil cause the doctor says so. I m just as grumpy as an MP WHO WOKE UP ON THE wrong side of the bed and found halff of a dead rat in his/her rations , without medication im like this. I can suck it up I just trust army psycologists , phyciatrists over public sector ones. So my question... When my application begins being processed will I have an assesment done by a qualified Army official or will my health records , specificly pshy. Profile be sufficent?

If I were you, I would obtain your BSW before worrying about your medical profile. That is the minimum amount of education you are required to have to enter the CAF for Social Work Officer.

 

[PuckChaser]

If I were you, I would obtain your BSW before worrying about your medical profile. That is the minimum amount of education you are required to have to enter the CAF for Social Work Officer.

As well as having the ability to use spellcheck.

I ... Others believe me to have some form of hypo mania or just enough of an edge to perhaps be hypo mania. I can live with out medication currently not on mood stabalizers 300 mg of seraquil cause the doctor says so.

I'm not a doctor, but someone having been prescribed this: http://www.drugs.com/misspellings/seraquil.html is probably not someone I'd want next to me in a highly stressful situation with firearms and explosives. Fill your boots in applying, however....

 

[medicineman]

More than one person will look over you and your file - the person doing the actual Recruit medical and the Recruit Medical Officer.  Your career counsellor will get to chat with you as well and get an idea of what you're like and where you're coming from.  You'll also need some letters from your doctor(s) - family, PSYCHIATRIST(s), etc - as well.  Given that you're taking 300mg of quetiapine and how your post reads (like someone having a manic/hypomanic episode), my EDUCATED GUESS is you are going to have a hard time getting into the CF as pretty much anything, much less an SWO.  Having said that, you'll just have to apply and find out.

Cheers.

MM

 

[Social Worker]

I have lots of questions and have been getting different responses depending who I talk to (ie: health services recruiter, local recruiting centre etc...) so I thought I would ask another person to add to my confusion.  A little background on my application, I applied for DEO social work July 2015 and passed my CFAT. I then had my medical and interview early October 2015 (passed), background/references checked, then someone has been working on my PLAR since December 2015. I realize the PLAR is taking a long time because my background is weird: I have a masters degree in occupational therapy and a masters degree in social work and have worked in mental health since 2008 but mostly as an occupational therapist...

Finally my questions:
1- When are selection boards for social work? Are any happening before BMOQ starting May 23?
2- Given the fact that I'm solely waiting on my PLAR and merit listing, any chance my file would be ready by then?
3- Which health services fall under condensed health services BMOQ? Is social work part of it or is it regular 15 weeks? What's the L2015E BMOQ and why is that one only 8 weeks?
4- Back to my PLAR, who's working on that? Is it normal to take 4+ months or did it get lost?

Thank you!

 

[da1root]

Good Day,

Please note that if there is a discrepancy between the Health Services Recruiter and the Local Recruiter you should bring these items up to them.  There are 4 Health Service Specialist Recruiters (I am one of them) who are trained specifically in brining in Health Service Occupations.  If information is conflicting please let us know.  My following responses are based on Regular Force applications, if you are applying Reserve Force you need to speak to your Reserve Recruiter.

1. Currently the projected selection boards are happening 13-Jun (SEELM) and 11 Jul (DEO), these are projected dates.
2. Every PLAR is different, you should speak with your Recruiter to find out where your PLAR is, or alternatively you mentioned being in contact with Health Services Recruiter - get in touch with them.
3. Doctors are the only Health Service occupation that does a condensed BMOQ.  Social Workers do the normal BMOQ.  I'm not sure where you are getting your BMOQ Serials, but I do not see a "L2015E" on my list.
4. PLAR's take different times for different people.  I have seen PLARs returned in a couple weeks, and others have taken close to a year.

Best Regards,
Sgt Laen