| The Oregon State
Board of Clinical Social Workers Regulating the Practice of Clinical Social Workers State Board of Clinical Social Workers Table Of Contents
What are Licensed Clinical Social Workers? Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) are mental health professionals licensed by the State of Oregon who are trained to help individuals, groups, families and organizations. LCSWs can help you deal with emotional problems and help you resolve conflicts or problems relating to others at home, at work, in school, and in the world around you. What Qualifications do Licensed Clinical Social Workers have? Licensed Clinical Social Workers have specialized knowledge, education, and training in the fields of human behavior, psychology, and problem solving. To become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker an applicant must earn a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) and complete a two year postgraduate supervised clinical certification period as a Clinical Social Work Associate. After completing two years of supervision, the applicant must pass national and state examinations. To keep their license, Licensed Clinical Social workers must complete 20 hours of continuing education each year. What is the Oregon State Board of Clinical Social Workers? The Legislature established the Oregon State Board of Clinical Social Workers to protect the public by assuring the qualifications and professionalism of Licensed Clinical Social Workers. The volunteer seven-member Board, appointed by the Governor, is charged with establishing standards for licensing; identifying individuals meeting those standards; and administering licensing examinations. The Board is also charged with developing and enforcing ethical standards for licensed individuals; investigating complaints; and disciplining licensed individuals who violate ethical standards, Board rules, or state licensing laws. How can the State Board of Clinical Social Workers help protect me? The Board protects you by assuring that Licensed Clinical Social Workers meet national standards regarding their qualifications, knowledge, and experience before certification and licensing. The Board also investigates complaints made by members of the public regarding possible abuses by Licensed Clinical Social Workers and by Clinical Social Work Associates. The Board disciplines Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Associates when a violation has occurred. The Board requires Licensed Clinical Social Workers to maintain their skills and update their knowledge with continuing education in the field of clinical social work. How do I Check a Social Worker's Qualifications? When selecting a social worker you may want to call the State Board of Clinical Social Workers at (503) 378-5735. Not all social workers in Oregon have a license, but only licensed social workers may call themselves Licensed Clinical Social Workers or LCSWs.. The Board can tell you whether a social worker is licensed. Licensing is your assurance that the social worker has met the education, experience and examination requirements for professional practice established by Oregon law The Board can also tell you if the individual's license is current and whether a Licensed Clinical Social Worker has been disciplined for violating professional standards of conduct. What are my rights as a client? You have the right to professional and ethical treatment regardless of your age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, or disability. You have the right to a clear description of services, fees, and how you (and your insurer) will be billed. Client records and communications are confidential and, subject to few exceptions, may not be released by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker without the client's consent. You should file a written complaint if a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Clinical Social Work Associate has:
You may file a complaint if you believe a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Clinical Social Work Associate has violated the law, rules, or ethical standards governing the practice of social work. Complaints must be in writing and on a form available from the Board. What happens after I file a complaint? The Board has the authority to discipline Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Clinical Social Work Associates. The Board's Consumer Protection Committee reviews all complaints. The Committee will require the Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Clinical Social Work Associate to respond in writing or in a face-to-face meeting. If the Committee decides that it should investigate the complaint further, the person who complained or others with knowledge of the complaint may be asked for additional information Once the Committee gathers the necessary information, the Board may take disciplinary action. If the investigation shows that a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Clinical Social Work Associates violated laws, rules or ethical standards that govern them, the Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Clinical Social Work Associate may face:
Where can I get a complaint form or more information? You can obtain a complaint form or information regarding a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Clinical Social Work Associate from the State Board of Clinical Social Workers, State Board of Clinical Social Workers
|