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Eldercare Social Worker

This job listing has already closed.
Location: Orange
Position Type: Full-time
Closing Date: September 11, 2024

General Description
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work in this position provides professional-level social work services to older adults and their caregivers and supervises the work of Master’s in Social Work (MSW) students and interns. The work performs clinical and administrative work including assessments, care planning and counseling, service coordination, advocacy, and community education for persons dealing with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and other chronic conditions with the aging population.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Aging Transitions Administrator with some leeway to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work and in making decisions about public health needs and requests. Supervision is a responsibility of this class. Does related work as required.

Examples of Essential Functions
Examples of Essential Functions

Following are examples of typical work activities and responsibilities. The incumbent may be responsible for performing other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned. A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.

Conducts walk-in and telephone assessments, care planning and intervention in conjunction with physicians and other allied health care providers; reassesses needs and revises care plans as client’s status changes.

Conducts medical, psychosocial, developmental, economic, and environmental assessments in a client’s home to evaluate functionality including cognitive and emotional status, safety, finances, and resultant needs.

Develops and implements personalized care plans to address client and program goals in collaboration with clients and families, and when appropriate, with medical and allied health providers; provides ongoing care coordination, monitoring and evaluation of effectiveness of interventions.

Identifies and coordinates needed support services by initiating referrals to community resources and educates clients on the availability and cost of options.

Provides option counseling and education to clients and local or long-distance caregivers to reduce stress, improve safety and well-being, and postpone institutionalization.

Provides short-term clinical counseling to clients with mood or adjustment disorders.

Documents all care management activities and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local funding programs including Home and Community Care Block Grant and National Family Caregiver Support Program; maintains documentation in accordance with funding requirements, policies and accepted professional standards.

Serves as an advocate for clients and their families, and assists them in navigating healthcare, government, and private service systems.

Acts as consultant/resource person to other professionals and serves as an external liaison between clients and community resources.

Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as county staff, Orange County seniors, informal caregivers, healthcare providers, community and academic audiences, colleagues, and the public.

Facilitates support groups and makes presentations regarding aging transition topics.

Serves on various task forces, work groups and advisory groups.

Provides independent supervision of Master’s in Social Work (MSW) students and interns.

Leads individuals from culturally diverse populations in various department programs, including volunteers and interns.

Plans and hosts dementia education programming.

Performs various administrative tasks including preparing reports and correspondence.

Uses computer applications or other automated systems, spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail, and database software in performing work assignments.

Adheres to the department’s safety rules and regulations.

Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the principles, challenges, practices, and philosophies of the fields of social work and eldercare, including counseling and intervention methods.

Comprehensive knowledge of the federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, standards and regulations regarding the delivery of aging services.

Thorough knowledge of the federal and state program rules, procedures, protocols, and policies relating to service provision.

Thorough knowledge of current social, economic and health trends and services, and the ability to adapt trends to practical program applications and link clients with services needed.

Thorough knowledge of information and techniques needed to perform biopsychosocial and clinical assessments including symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventative healthcare measures.

Thorough knowledge of the characteristics, problems, needs and interests of the aging population, and the ability to understand the challenges of families related to caregiving.

Thorough knowledge of HIPAA guidelines and the ability to apply guidelines to client information and records.

Good knowledge of interviewing, counseling and crisis intervention theories and methods.

Good knowledge of social, economic and health trends and innovations in the management and delivery of aging services.

Good knowledge of the various social and health service functions and interrelationships of the county, other governmental agencies, and community resources, and the ability to make appropriate referrals.

Good knowledge of and ability to apply available resources and agency guidelines.

Good knowledge and understanding of human behavior and variables affecting behavior.

Skills in conducting assessments, providing counseling, developing assistance plans and using intervention methods and techniques.

Skill in public and interpersonal relations, and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to express information and ideas clearly and concisely.

Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.

Skill in being customer-focused, adept at problem solving and working collaboratively with others.

Skill in gathering and analyzing complex data; skill in preparing and/or processing various records and reports, including care plans.

Skill in presenting program information to providers and community groups.

Ability to interpret and apply county, state and federal regulations, policies, and procedures.

Ability to read, analyze, interpret, comprehend, and communicate complex information and in complex situations with a wide variety of people, both orally and in writing.

Ability to recognize and analyze problems, gather relevant information, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make effective decisions.

Ability to organize and consolidate information, maintain records, prepare reports, and complete assignments accurately and timely.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, clients and family members, County staff, medical providers, representatives from local Schools of Social Work, community groups, outside agencies, other human services professionals, and the general public; ability to collaborate with others and work as part as a team.

Ability to relate well with others under stressful conditions; ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.

Ability to instruct and independently supervise MSW candidates in the development of their skills, and requirements of the MSW program.

Ability to lead individuals from culturally diverse populations in various department programs, including volunteers and interns.

Ability to prepare and deliver presentations on aging services and provide education to professional and community groups.

Ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail, and database software to maintain records, prepare reports, and conduct correspondence related to the work.

Ability to satisfy continuing education requirements for licensure, if applicable.

Ability to demonstrate sound judgment, integrity, resourcefulness, accuracy, thoroughness, and the physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position, while maintaining an ethical standard of care.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from a regionally accredited or registered college or university with a master’s degree in social work AND two (2) years of related experience in the areas of case management, assessment and referral, supportive counseling, intervention, psychosocial therapy, and treatment planning AND (2) years of experience supervising or leading others.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) / Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) are preferred.

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid Driver License issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of a background check and pre-employment drug testing. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.

May be required to possess additional certification(s) as deemed necessary by the Aging Transitions Administrator.

Physical Requirements and Possible Hazards
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND POSSIBLE HAZARDS

Ability to physically perform (with or without reasonable accommodation) basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions of the hands/wrists.

Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform extensive reading, and operate a computer terminal.

May be subject to possible hazards that include emotional stress due to the nature of interactions with clients or service providers, irate clients and/or family members who may be hostile, resistant, or violent.

Must be able to be exposed to chemicals, contagious and/or infectious diseases, and bloodborne pathogens.