My Professional Identity

My professional identity is particular to that of a change agent with a desire to gain trust from vulnerable populations. In order to establish this professional identity, I focus on using personal and professional goals to guide me, in addition to using the code of ethics and standards of practice I am responsible to uphold as per the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW). By utilizing these guidelines, I gain the structure, fundamentals, and overall pedagogy required to support with shaping my professional identity and the character traits responsible for gaining trust and enabling change. Moreover, my professional identity as a social worker is also in close relation to my identity as a person. The social work profession is grounded in philosophies that interpret and mirror the values often found in one’s personal identity; making it a challenge to decipher between the two identities at times. It is hard to walk away from being a social worker at the end of the day, it is ingrained in us throughout every aspect of our lives. As social workers, we are required to develop our personal values and behaviours in alignment with the profession (Senger & Wiest, 2022). I am also cognizant my professional identity is a process that progresses and changes over time. Through my experiences and employment opportunities as a social worker over the last 15 years, I have grown to include specifics of not just broad advocacy into my professional identity, but advocacy for specific groups such as individuals who experience mental health and addiction issues. It is important to me my professional identity grows and develops over time; otherwise, my level of competence may become obsolete. This process is developed with a high degree of self reflection (Senger & Wiest, 2022).

My professional values are deep-rooted in advocacy and change. The ACSW Standards of Practice highlight advocacy happens to circumvent injustices affecting the vulnerable and disadvantaged, (Alberta College of Social Workers, 2019); while the CASW implies significant promotion of fair and equitable access to services is a directive required to effect systemic change (Canadian Association of Social Workers, 2005). I use these objectives to be a nonjudgmental, client centered individual, who provides advocacy and support to individuals experiencing oppression. The objectives of my career are founded in my professional values, and are to utilize client strengths to support individuals in overcoming the barriers and challenges experienced through systemic oppression, addictions, mental health issues, poverty, and discrimination. I identify myself as an ally in my front line practice. As a health care leader, my objective is to model the way and set examples for others, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act, and recognize the contributions of others; all the while, choosing courage over comfort. Who I am, is how I lead and as a social worker, I lead with finding comfort in vulnerability.

In addition to my professional identify and values, I have always thought of myself as someone who acts as a system navigator within both the Alberta provincial and Canadian federal health care systems. I create bridges and networks to ensure patients are able to access the support they require, in a just and equitable way. An important part of the system navigation role is to act as a liaison between the patient and many biopsychosocial support services compulsory for successful discharge from hospital. Furthermore, I act as a link between the multiple health care disciplines involved in patient care to ensure the context of a person’s environment is deliberated upon prior to treatment and discharge planning; all the while, ensuring a respect for patient's inherent dignity and worth is provided (Canadian Association of Social Workers, 2005). I often find myself pushing the boundaries of the system, advocating for systemic change, and learning how to navigate the patient’s healthcare trajectory. As I primarily work in addictions and mental health, I frequently find it challenging to work within the rubrics of the provincial and federal health care system, as my patients present as outliers with unique needs and requirements. I often characterize this challenge as comparable to fitting a square peg into a round hole. Throughout my career, there have been many times when I ask myself if I even fit within the system, or do I fit outside the system and actually work my way in? Auspiciously, I take great pride in being the outcast.

References

Alberta College of Social Workers. (2019). Standards of practice. Practice Resources.

https://acsw.in1touch.org/document/2672/DOC_FINALACSWStandardsOfPractice_V1_1_20200304.pdf

Canadian Association of Social Workers. (2005). Code-of-Ethics and Scope of Practice. Casw-

Acts. https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/Code-of-Ethics and Scope of Practice

Senger, P., & Wiest, C. (2022). Professionalism in the field of social work. In L. Rapp-McCall, K.

Corcoran, & A. R. Roberts (Eds.), Social Worker’s Desk Reference (4th ed., Vol. 46, Issue 09, pp. 12–20). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.5860/CHOICE.46-4804

.