Utah Code § 58-60-202

Current through the 2024 Fourth Special Session

Section 58-60-202 - Definitions

In addition to the definitions in Sections 58-1-102 and 58-60-102, as used in this part:

(1)

(a) "Practice as a social service worker" means performance of general entry level services under general supervision of a mental health therapist through the application of social work theory, methods, and ethics in order to enhance the social or psychosocial functioning of an individual, a couple, a family, a group, or a community, including:

(i) conducting:

(A) a non-clinical psychosocial assessment; or

(B) a home study;

(ii) collaborative planning and goal setting, including drafting initial treatment plans, if:

(A) the treatment plan is for a client with mild to moderate behavioral health symptoms or disorders, as assessed or diagnosed by a mental health therapist;

(B) before treatment begins, the mental health therapist has reviewed and approved the treatment plan, and the client has been given an opportunity to consult with the mental health therapist; and

(C) the social service worker is authorized in writing by a licensed health facility, as defined in Section 26B-2-201, or a licensed human service program, as defined in Section 26B-2-101;

(iii) ongoing case management;

(iv) progress monitoring, including drafting treatment plan reviews and updates, if the requirements of Subsections (1)(a)(ii)(A) through (C) have been met;

(v) supportive counseling and psychosocial education, including:

(A) providing individual and group support and psychosocial education related to behavioral health literacy, wellness education and promotion, goal setting, life skills, and coping skills;

(B) providing evidence-based, manualized therapeutic interventions according to a treatment plan approved by a mental health therapist, while under the supervision of a mental health therapist, in the treatment of mild to moderate behavioral health symptoms or disorders, as assessed or diagnosed by the mental health therapist; and

(C) co-facilitating group therapy with a mental health therapist;

(vi) information gathering;

(vii) making referrals, including crisis referrals;

(viii) engaging in advocacy;

(ix) care navigation; and

(x) the supervision and training of social work students of an accredited institution who are seeking bachelor's degrees in social work, if the social service worker has two years of post-licensure work experience.

(b) Except for the acts described in Subsection (1)(a)(v)(B), "practice as a social service worker" does not include:

(i) diagnosing or treating mental illness; or

(ii) providing psychotherapeutic services to an individual, couple, family, group, or community.

(2) "Practice of clinical social work" includes:

(a) the practice of mental health therapy by observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, intervention, and treatment to effect modification of behavior by the application of generally recognized professional social work principles, methods, and procedures for the purpose of preventing, treating, or eliminating mental or emotional illness or dysfunction, the symptoms of any of these, or maladaptive behavior;

(b) the application of generally recognized psychotherapeutic and social work principles and practices requiring the education, training, and clinical experience of a clinical social worker; and

(c) supervision of the practice of a certified social worker or social service worker as the supervision is required under this chapter and as further defined by division rule.

(3) "Practice of certified social work" includes:

(a) the supervised practice of mental health therapy by a clinical social worker by observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, intervention, and treatment to effect modification of behavior by the application of generally recognized professional social work principles, methods, and procedures for the purpose of preventing, treating, or eliminating mental or emotional illness or dysfunctions, the symptoms of any of these, or maladaptive behavior;

(b) the supervised or independent and unsupervised application of generally recognized professional social work principles and practices requiring the education, training, and experience of a certified social worker; and

(c) supervision of the practice of a social service worker as the supervision is required under this chapter and as further defined by division rule.

(4) "Program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education" means a program that:

(a) was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education on the day on which the applicant for licensure satisfactorily completed the program; or

(b) was in candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education on the day on which the applicant for licensure satisfactorily completed the program.

(5) "Supervision of a social service worker" means supervision conducted by an individual licensed as a mental health therapist under this title in accordance with division rules made in collaboration with the board.

Utah Code § 58-60-202

Amended by Chapter 420, 2024 General Session ,§ 16, eff. 5/1/2024.

Amended by Chapter 78, 2010 General Session
Amended by Chapter 214, 2010 General Session.