is this considered a fraud?

[Ms.RN]

I worked at LTC faclilty and they have two social workers working there. One of the social worker does not have a degree in social worker, but she have degree in social worker assistance. But whenever she is charting in patient's chart, she puts her credentials as BSW. On the top of that, she is above another socia worker who has Bachelors degree in social work. Isnt this considered fraud? I mean nurses aides cant sign the paper as licensed nurses right?

[MissChloe]

I think the Bachelors in Social Work is what makes you a social worker assistant. I think you have to have a Masters in Social Work to be a social worker yourself. So if she just has the BSW, and is not presenting herself as a licensed social worker or as having an MSW, I think it's okay. But, I'm not really well-versed in social worker schooling, so I could be totally off base.

[stram87]

I think the Bachelors in Social Work is what makes you a social worker assistant. I think you have to have a Masters in Social Work to be a social worker yourself. So if she just has the BSW, and is not presenting herself as a licensed social worker or as having an MSW, I think it's okay. But, I'm not really well-versed in social worker schooling, so I could be totally off base.

I agree with this statement. A BSW doesn't make you a social worker.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

A person could have a BSN degree (bachelor of science in nursing) without ever having been licensed as an RN. This person could still legally sign their name as "Jane Doe, BSN" because they have earned the degree, even though they are not an RN.

The same person could have a BSW degree (bachelor in social work) without ever having been officially licensed as a social worker. This same individual could legally sign one's name as "Jane Doe, BSW" because they've got the BSW degree, even though they never became licensed as a social worker.

[Ms.RN]

She does have her license as a social worker tech in the state government website. This license is like nursing aide certifiate. Bachelor's degree in social work is equivilent to Bachelor's degree in nursing and after obaining bachelor's degree in social work, one can take the board exam and get the license as social worker. Bachelor's degree is minimum education required to work as a social worker. Social work tech is equivilent to nurses aide certificate and they work under the supervision of licensed social worker. AFter bachelor's degree they can go back and earn Master's degree, which is similar to Nurse practioner degree where they can work in psychology offices and do persona counselings etc..

I understand one can write BSW next to their name but they cant practice as social worker unless they pass the board exam isnt it? JUst like a person can earn BSN, but cant practice nursing until this person passes the board.

[ocean waves]

Hello. Good for you that you are trying to learn more about safe care and legal charting by fellow professionals on your health care team. I agree with the writers who say the way the social workers at your long term facility sign their charting may have to do with possible differences in their education or licensing. Maybe a way to clear up your concerns about possible "fraud" in this charting situation is to ask professional questions about social worker charting to staff members in the human resources department of your facility. Best wishes!

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

I worked at LTC faclilty and they have two social workers working there. One of the social worker does not have a degree in social worker, but she have degree in social worker assistance. But whenever she is charting in patient's chart, she puts her credentials as BSW. On the top of that, she is above another socia worker who has Bachelors degree in social work. Isnt this considered fraud? I mean nurses aides cant sign the paper as licensed nurses right?

This depends on the state. I live in a state where a social worker can have a Bachelor or Masters degree.

However, unless you have PERSONALLY seen the transcripts that she submitted to her employer, I would be very, very careful about discussing with others that she claims she has credentials she doesn't have.

[Batman25]

If you have questions go drectly ro HR and let them look into the issue. If there is a prob they will rectify it at once.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

There are federal guidelines that mandate social worker coverage and requirements for long term care facilities. These rules can be found on the CMS web site (as can all rules for nursing homes). In addition, you state will have additional regulations under which that facility functions that can be found on your state DSHS web site. Requirements vary according to the size of the facility and the facility will have to meet which ever standard (state or federal) that is greater. For example, federal guidelines state that nursing homes must provide at least 8 hours of RN direct care staffing per day. But in my state, per the state law, 16 hours is required. In the case of nurse staffing, the RN would be in charge. But with social workers I am not sure if the most senior person has to be in charge. It simply mandates a certain level of social work coverage according to the number of beds the facility is licensed for.