: Process recorder
If the course instructor finds that the process recording does not demonstrate expected competency
and analysis, the student may be given an opportunity to redo the assignment. In this case, a new
interview is required.
Please note Important: This should help you with the first page:
I would like to interview an 80 year old Hispanic male in his home located in Houston, Texas. He has
been diagnosed with late onset Alzheimer’s. Patient is a 90 year old, Hispanic male that is a US
Citizen. Patient currently resides with his wife and two granddaughters. He is under hospice care at
his home in Houston, Texas. Patient suffers from late onset Alzheimer’s disease. He requires roundtheclock
assistance with daily activities and personal care. Patient has difficulty communicating and
walking. He has difficulties controlling his bladder, and bowels. There have been changes in the
patient sleep patterns, such as sleeping during the day and becoming restless at night. He is
prescribed and takes Exelon 6mg.
Interview purpose: Identify the needs of the patient and seek resources that would assist the patient
and provide assistant to relieve his wife as his caregiver. Provide appropriate care planning that will
involve given information about specialized care, treatment options for dementia, respite, life goals,
and wishes. Discover intervention that would help the patient and his wife as his caregiver.
The patient his wife the social worker intern who is myself (interviewer) and my field instructor is
present in the home.
The template attached This is the only admissible form! Please type all comments into this “Process
Recording” template. Submit as Word document (except where noted in Section VI).
Guidelines:
1.Interviewing requires active listening, taking cues from the client, using openended questions, and
so forth. Therefore, the process recording should not originate from an intake form that may be
overly scripted.
2. You may not record the interview used for the process recording; therefore, prearrange time
immediately after the interview to complete the form while the interview is fresh.
3. In advance, discuss this assignment with your field instructor to determine requirements for
consent, if needed, and information to include in your introduction if a prior relationship with the
client does not exist.
4. The field instructor is a silent observer during the process recording interview. The purpose of their
presence is to be able to provide constructive feedback to you based on their direct observation and
to take notes that can be recorded in the “Field Instructor’s Comments” column. Therefore, before the
interview, develop a repertoire of statements (1) for informing the client of this prior to initiation of
the interview and (2) for having a statement ready to redirect a client back to you if the client tries to
engage the field instructor during the process recording interview.
5. Prior to the interview, allow time to review the following which will better prepare you for the
interview:
a. Franks, Cheryl (2009). Handbook for Student Social Work Recording. Columbia University School
of Social Work
b. Process Recording Handbook. Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
c. Garthwait Table 7.1 Effective Interpersonal Communication
d. Students often confuse the two columns entitled “Your Reactions” and “Your Assessment.
Reviewing these handbooks and the examples before your process recording will clarify how what
you record is connected and meaningful to your learning. These are guides only so refrain from
mimicking content in the handbooks to your own process recording.
The process recording includes the following components/sections:
1. Orienting Information – Information that is relevant to understanding the context of the interview,
e.g. age, ethnicity.
2. Verbatim Dialogue – The dialogue (verbal and nonverbal communication), your “gutlevel”
reactions, thoughts and evaluations as the interview was occurring, skills used, and your Field
Instructor’s comments;
3. Interview Analysis – A narrative of both the interview process and product. Referencing practice
textbooks, describe your use of generalist practice techniques, that is, demonstrate intentional
application of practice skills and knowledge. As you critically selfassess your intentional application
of skills and knowledge, identify issues that are revealed for you (e.g. interviewing by seat of pants
rather than intentionally using skills, overidentifying with client, redirecting interview due to reasons
that were associated with countertransference or your own discomfort, and so forth) that represent
areas to attend to in the future in order to professionally develop. To facilitate your competency,
identify these and then list actions you can take for each item in order to address each concern.
4. Social Service Plan/Intervention Plan – This analysis should include a plan of action for the next
interview session. If you will not have future contact with the client, you will still articulate a possible
plan of action.
