The Clinical Social Work Registry – Big News!

BY SHERYL PEARSON, RSW, MSW, LLB

THE CLINICAL COMMITTEE is gearing up to launch a new application stream – the PostSupervision Applicant Stream. What is THAT, you might ask? We are delighted to tell you! The Clinical Committee is one of four statutory committees charged with regulating the profession of social work. Specifically, the Clinical Committee has oversight of

Only registered social workers who have been admitted to the Clinical Registry are authorized to use the protected titles of RCSW, registered clinical social worker, or clinical social worker.

the Clinical Social Work Registry (“Clinical Registry”), including management of the process by which someone is approved to be on the Clinical Registry. While inclusion on the Clinical Registry is not required to practice clinical social work, only registered social workers who have been admitted to the Clinical Registry are authorized to use the

protected titles of RCSW, registered clinical social worker, or clinical social worker.

Pre-Supervision Application Stream The Social Workers Profession Regulation (AB Regulation 82/2003) stipulates the minimum requirements for a member to be admitted to the Clinical Registry and authorized to use the title “Clinical Social Worker.” Alberta’s model for admitting RSWs to the Clinical Registry has, until now, involved an application to the Clinical Committee to begin the process of supervised hours. Once approved, the Clinical Committee has direct oversight of 1,600 clinical practice hours by an approved supervisor for a minimum of two years. Upon the completion of those hours, including 100 hours of clinical supervision, an applicant may be approved to write the Clinical Social Work Exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). If the exam is passed, voilà! Admission to the Clinical Social Work Registry.

NEW – Post-Supervision Application Stream Effective March 2020, there will be a parallel stream for admission to the Clinical Social Work Registry. Intended for members who have already amassed significant experience in the area of clinical social work, this application stream allows experienced members to apply to the registry and be approved to write the ASWB Exam upon establishing they’ve already met the following qualifications: a) An RSW in good standing with the ACSW; b) Hold a minimum of a master’s degree in social work (MSW); c) Demonstrate completion of coursework in the following three areas: i. Human behaviour development from a biopsychosocial perspective; ii. Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning; iii. Psychotherapy and clinical practice including evidencebased approaches. Coursework must be at a postsecondary level or equivalent with an evaluative component (approximately 45 hours). Proof of completion and a course outline for each course is required before it will be deemed to be completed.

DEFINITIONS

ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTITIONER

An advanced clinical practitioner is a regulated mental health professional with at least five years of clinical mental health experience post-education (a master/doctoral degree). They are an independent clinical decisionmaker and experienced with diverse populations. They may have developed mastery of one or more areas of clinical mental health expertise and are sought out for supervision and consultation based upon their professional role.

d) Demonstrate having completed a minimum of five years post-MSW clinical social work practice, including at least 3000 post-MSW direct clinical practice hours (practice experience and hours prior to completing an MSW will not be counted); e) Demonstrate having received 100 hours of post-MSW clinical supervision by an advanced clinical practitioner; and f) Submit two letters of reference from regulated health professionals who have direct knowledge of the applicant’s safe and competent clinical social work practice within the last three years, at least one of which must be from a clinical social worker. There you have it. We are excited about this change and the opportunity to expand the recognition and profile of registered clinical social workers. The Clinical Committee welcomes applications from our experienced members who meet these qualifications. Please see acsw.ab.ca for further descriptions and directions including policy, procedures, forms and deadlines to apply to the Clinical Registry. If you have questions about your eligibility to apply to the Clinical Social Work Registry, please contact Toni Harrison at clinical@acsw.ab.ca or 780-421-1167.