Integrative Final Paper
Jessica Giselbach
Azusa Pacific University

Abstract
This paper will identify relevant social work professional behaviors, ethics, and values integral to the development of a professional social worker. In addition, this includes the role of supervision in my development while reflecting on the most significant supervision content that was instrumental in my understanding of professional social work. Furthermore, key professional behaviors that were integral to my effectiveness with the client populations served will be discussed. Lastly, two social work code of ethics relevant to appropriate social work conduct will be discussed in detail.

Integrative Final Paper
First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge the valuable and enriching learning experience I had at DaVita. During my time at DaVita, I worked with a variety of different client populations, which ranged in race, ethnicity, and age. Upon learning that I would be interning at DaVita, I was surprised that there was a need for social workers at a dialysis clinic. After completing my internship at DaVita, I have grown to learn that the role of a social worker at a dialysis clinic is crucial. The dialysis community at DaVita presented itself to have a variety of needs, both physical and emotional. Many of the patients at DaVita experience a variety of emotions, which range from anxiety, depression, and sadly suicidal ideation. It is only natural for dialysis patients to experience these emotions while undergoing a life sustaining treatment. Additionally, patients that do not have a strong support system at home, or the positive coping tools to deal with their end stage renal disease (ESRD) will face challenges during treatment. In this social work setting it is the social worker’s role to help patients adjust to life on dialysis and become a form of positive support. Furthermore, social workers are vital because they educate patients about kidney disease and their treatment options (dialysis and kidney transplant) and help them understand what is happening to their bodies so that they can make informed decisions about their care.
Role of Supervision
The primary functions of supervision in social work in specific during the academic field year is to discuss case management, reflect on and learn from practice with clients, personal support, professional development, and mediation, in which the supervisor acts as a bridge between the student and the field site they are interning for. It is vital for the success of the student and for the success of supervision that a good professional relationship exists between student and field supervisor. Students are likely to succeed in field internship by learning the appropriate skills specific to their field site, obtaining clear knowledge about their role as a social work intern, when being supervised in their internship by sound advice and emotional support from a supportive field supervisor.
I was fortunate enough at my internship at DaVita to have been under the supervision of Gracie Vargas, MSW, an exemplary role model and supervisor. The role of supervision was influential in my development as a professional social work intern. During my weekly supervision I had the opportunity to reflect on my experiences in field and seek constructive feedback from my field instructor, which challenged and improved the learning process at field. My field supervisor created an open environment that allowed for me to feel comfortable to share and explore difficulties and mistakes as well as the “ah ha” moments during field when things began to piece themselves together.
My field supervisor also encouraged my professional development by incorporating the use of the DSM V during our field supervision meetings. When I met with patients during doctor clinics, I would pre diagnose my patients with the use of the DSM V and discuss my