The Behavioral and Social Services portion of the job market is expanding twice as fast as the job market as a whole. Community and social service occupations are expected to grow at 17% nationally and 21% in Washington state in the next ten years alone. Healthcare support positions are growing at 26-28% in Washington state.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) Behavioral and Social Services graduates with an AAS would be eligible for several types of jobs which have reasonable numbers of positions in our state. These include:
The applied baccalaureate degree in Behavioral Healthcare prepares students for work in the integrated treatment of mental illnesses, substance use disorders, physical illness, poverty, and homelessness. Graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce, advance in their current employment, or enroll in a graduate degree program in a related field, such as social work, addiction treatment, or counseling. Job titles might include:
Jobs within the behavioral and social services remain in demand. In 2021, the median annual pay for occupations within the community and social service field was $48,410, about $2,650 above national average median pay. Starting salaries within this field may be listed below the median salary, but with the demand for social services work includes many opportunities for growth.
The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a great deal of more detailed information about how many social service jobs there are, how fast they are growing, what they pay, and what education or experience they require.
Community service providers in King County and the surrounding area advertise their open positions in several places:
Most social service positions in Washington state require the employee to hold an active credential from the State Department of Health. This allows the state to conduct background checks, verify our education and experience, and protect the vulnerable adults, children and seniors we may serve.
Some of the most commonly needed credentials for our graduates are
For more information about these credentials please contact the Department of Health directly.
Most Department of Health credentials require the individual to have completed four hours of training in HIV/AIDS. This can be done through in-person or online trainings. The cost varies from free up to $50. Check with the DOH for a list of appropriate courses or for information on course content.
Some jobs also train employees in CPR, or ask staff to become trained in CPR elsewhere. The Red Cross and the American Heart Association and others often provide these trainings.
Many fire departments also offer CPR training including the Seattle Fire Department, Bothell FD, Bellevue FD, Everett FD, Kirkland FD, Marysville FD, and Redmond FD.
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The college is currently conducting an audit to determine the extent to which its website and third-party platforms are compliant.