Social Service Technician (SST)

 Application Criteria

 The Administrative Rules for social work  require  applicants for a Registered Social Service Technician credential to meet one of the following requirements:

•  At least 2, 000 hours of social work experience accrued over not less than one year and under the supervision of a LMSW or LBSW as well as current employment in human services or social services during which social work values, ethics, principles and skills were applied.
• Successful completion of two years of college that included at least four courses relevant to human service needs and current employment in human services or social services during which social work values, ethics, principles, and skills were applied.  (Successful completion of two years of college” would mean completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of college-level courses with a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0.)
• Successful completion of an associate degree in social work from an accredited college or university.

 Scope of Practice

 The Act does not delineate a scope of practice for registered social service technicians but does define the technician as an individual registered under the Act who is specially trained to practice only under the supervision of a LBSW or LMSW. 

 Qualifying Work Experience – Functions

 Qualifying work experience for a RSST registration means the delivery of social work services through any of the following:

• Interviewing clients to obtain information about a client’s situation, providing information about available services, and providing specific assistance to help people use community resources.
• Conducting case-finding activities in the community and encouraging and providing linkages to available services.
• Monitoring a client’s compliance with a program’s expectations.
• Providing life-skills training.

 (For additional information on supervision and general qualifying work experience requirements for registered social service technicians, see Supervision/Qualifying Work Experience at this Web site.)