Social Worker II

Primary Purpose The focus of this position is enabling vulnerable persons with disabilities resulting from age, mental impairments, or physical limitations, to live independently in the community or facilitating appropriate group care placements when independent living is no longer feasible. This is accomplished through the application of advanced social work principles. Cases are multi-problem and activities are directed toward prevention. The primary goal of this social worker, like other staff located within the Adult Services Program Area, is to promote self-sufficiency and delay institutionalization whenever possible. This social worker acts as a member of the Adult Services Division, which is comprised of other social workers. This position maintains service intake duties and does not carry an ongoing caseload. Service intake is the portal for all of Adult Services clients, including Adult Protective Services {APS) clients. This position gathers information through the intake process related to the overall wellbeing of vulnerable persons with disabilities. These contacts are short term, lasting an average of one contact to several days. Essential Functions 25% Assessment

• Interviews clients and family members to determine risk factors
• Observes behavior to determine family dynamics
• Identifies strengths and weaknesses in clients' support systems
• Communicates, listens, elicits expression to understand client's perception of problem
• Identifies cultural influences affecting the client and client's perception of his situation
• Evaluates client's behavior with sensitivity to the client's lifestyle
• Analyzes the socio-economic and environmental factors that affect client's situation
• Measures the functional ability of client to care for himself and obtains medical information from client's physician to determine prognosis
• Probes the significance of relationships or facts that affect the client's needs

• Analyzes client needs in relation to existing resources and program funding
• Assesses the degree to which client can take responsibility for his/her own financial affairs
• Participates in group discussions with supervisors and other agency social workers regarding clients' requested needs

20 % Development of Short Term Intervention Plan

• Engages client and family in process of identifying formal and informal support systems
• Formulates and reviews with client strategies of intervention

• Determines the most appropriate case management program and support services
• Opens new possibilities for increased choices by the client
• Independently develops with the client specific time-oriented goals to meet short term crisis
• Engages client's family and support systems in planning process
• Maximizes potential support networks
• Determines if case is emergency, short or long term
• Determines the need for involvement on the part of other service providers

25% Implementation/Liaison 

• Mediates between client and conflicting parties
• Makes appropriate referrals to programs within the agency and to community agencies
• Charts in service record significant barriers that hinder progress
• Coordinates activities with medical and other service providers
• Determines eligibility for programs and support services (i.e. need, age, risk factors, etc.)
• Records all progress notes in computer system

20% Counseling 

• Responds to client and/or family crises by presenting alternatives, educating, advising and affirming
• Assists client in recognizing and coping with barriers
• Assists client in understanding family and interpersonal relationships
• Explains and reinforces theory of behavior resulting in logical consequences
• Responds to crises by directing or redirecting anger and hostilities
• Mediates in personal conflicts to achieve mutual satisfaction
• Advocates for client when barriers occur within the service delivery system
• Motivates client to assume responsibilities
• Enables client to explore feelings about death and dying in a supportive atmosphere

10% Miscellaneous

• Advises supervisor on problematic cases
• Receives approval of immediate supervisor for all financial authorizations

• This position also assists in disaster relief efforts that includes but is not limited to shelter duty. Assignment to emergency shelter duty during times of potentially dangerous or manmade disasters is an essential function of this position and you shall be required to fulfill these duties when instructed. Position may perform other duties as assigned by the Social Work Supervisor 111, Social Work Program Manager, Director, and Deputy Director.

  Minimum Education and Experience Bachelors degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution: bachelors degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience: bachelors degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two years directly related experience: or an equivalent combination of education and experience.