Chaffee County Position Description

CHAFFEE COUNTY POSITION DESCRIPTION

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

This position provides a variety of social caseworker services to aged and disabled adults and adults unable to protect their own interests. Services include, but are not limited to, assessment of client capabilities, case management, welfare checks, need for protection, mental health intervention, crisis intervention, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and referral to other agencies for additional support. Investigation of Adult Protective needs will be conducted in conjunction with law enforcement at times.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. The County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time.

• Perform intake and screening activities to determine whether referral is appropriate and to determine whether a comprehensive assessment needs to be completed. Provide information and referral to other resources that may help meet client’s needs.
• Complete face to face assessment process using approved assessment tools to determine applicant’s level of physical, mental and emotional functioning. Assesses clients for physical and mental disabilities, levels of functioning, client’s family and outside support systems and makes determination as to program appropriateness. Completes reassessments and quarterly contacts according to rule. Maintains ongoing caseload to meet required timelines for continued Medicaid eligibility, if appropriate for client.
• Approves prior authorization of proposed skilled and non-skilled services by provider agencies and ensures services are appropriate within state mandated cost containment levels. Approves LTHH Skilled services for clients.
• Assesses problems and needs of the elderly and disabled. Provides supportive counseling in the areas of health, finances, housing, home management and homemaking, education, training and employment, nursing home placement and adjustment.
• Provides case management services. Develops a complete case plan of services to respond to client needs utilizing informal support systems, community resources and development of new resources. Develops, locates and coordinates services in the community to maintain the client’s highest level of independence in accordance with cost containment criteria. Monitors the compliment of client services within each plan and changes based on client observation as appropriate. Must use computer and other sources to document plans and maintain a file.
• Develop, approve and implement care plans that document the service needs, funding source, provider and frequency of service. Negotiate contracts for services. Facilitate placement process for nursing home admissions, transfers and pay source changes.
• Intervenes in crisis situations to evaluate and stabilize situations. May include assisting clients or families in obtaining conservatorship or guardianship on client’s behalf. Also confers with the DA, Judges, probation (court system). May file police reports and attend court proceedings. May need to testify in court.
• Establishes community relations and consults with other agencies and professionals, homemakers, home health agencies, nursing home staff, mental health staff, police, sheriff, veteran’s administration, Social Security Administration to coordinate services and meet special needs of clients.
• Develop and raise community awareness through initial contacts, development and organization of community resources. Interpret agency policies and programs to the community, provide information and referral services as requested to the community and other agencies.

• Participates in client staffings, conferences, workshops and trainings.
• Will need to take on call for emergency reasons.
• Performs other duties as assigned

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Knowledge of social casework techniques. Knowledge of the problems of the elderly, physically disabled, developmentally disabled, mental health, drug/alcohol issues, dementia and other issues associated with the elderly. Knowledge of community resources, existing laws that relate to aged and disabled adults. Must have ability to analyze and diagnose problems of aged and disabled persons and to enable these adults to function and become self-sufficient. Ability to establish sound rapport with clients and professionals, to be sensitive to individual values and needs. Must have basic computer skills.

Knowledge and skill in interviewing techniques, crisis intervention methods, and relevant treatment modalities. Knowledge of community resources, of agency rules, regulations and procedures related to assigned program areas. Ability to establish support with multi-problem, dysfunctional clients. Ability to independently analyze complex situations, formulate plans and make quick decisions as needed. Must be able to understand guidelines used to govern the work such as: status regarding adult case management, HCBS, Volume VII of the Social Services Manual, conservatorship and guardianship laws, etc. Ability to clearly andconcisely express oneself both verbally and in written format. Ability to establish and maintain harmonious professional relationships with other employees, outside agencies and the public. Ability to testify effectively in court hearings.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK

Work is characterized by difficult decisions in determining services for clients from several alternatives. Case management and determination often involves difficult home or institutional situations and circumstances. Each case requires judgment to determine the most appropriate case plan to fit the needs of the client. State regulations, policies and procedures provide information on target populations, income and resource eligibility, Medicaid policies, adult services and related care issues. Using the guidelines governing the long term care programs, the worker must use judgment in interpreting and implementing them.

RESPONSIBILITY

This position requires the utilization of sound, mature judgment in making decisions affecting the welfare of a client for an extended period of time. Work requires accurate assessment of individual client needs, determining choices and options of available services and skills in guiding clients through steps needed for adequate care. Work impacts the community by preventing institutionalization, preventing harm to client’s physical or emotional status, strengthening the family system, and by educating the community in the needs of the aged and disabled. Maintaining clients in the home results in cost savings and improving their quality of life.

Personal Work Relationships:

Contacts with clients, families of clients, medical, psychiatric and other mental health professionals, community resources, organizations, providers and agency staff to manage ongoing eligibility, suitability, status of care, appropriateness of existing care plans.

EDUCATION:

Minimum Education:

BA/BS Degree in Behavioral Science or related field. (Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, etc)

Experience: Social/Human Services or related field.

Substitutions: Master's degree in one of the behavioral science fields may substitute for the required experience.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

This Position Reports to: SEP/APS Supervisor

This Position has Supervisory and/or Management Responsibility for: No

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Computer, printer, telephone, copier, fax machine, county and personal vehicles.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Approximately 50% of the work is generally performed in a standard office environment. The balance of their work is performed out of the office. Noise level is generally moderate but may become loud on occasion.

Employee may be exposed to:

- conditions such as fumes, noxious odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation that affect the

respiratory system, eyes, or the skin.

- disease of known or unknown origin, blood-borne pathogens, body fluids and tissue, the threat of

direct orindirect violence/conflict by other individuals, and other unanticipated circumstances

associated with theposition.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

Mobility:

- Stands 10% of the time, walks 10% of the time, and sits 80% of the time.

- Ascends or descends ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like using feet and legs or hands andarms.

- Bends body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist, requiring fulluse of the lower

extremities and back muscles.

- Bends body downward and forward by bending legs and spine.

- Reaches, extending hand{s) in any direction.

Lifting:

- Exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift,

carry, push, pullor otherwise move objects.

Dexterity:

- Handles, seizes, holds, grasps, turns, or otherwise works with hand or hands.

- Fingers, picks up, pinches, or otherwise works primarily with fingers rather than with the whole

hand orarm. Needs to type on computer.

Vision:

- The vision requirements for this position are as follows: - Close vision {clear at 20 inches or less).

- Distance vision (clear at 20 feet or more).

- Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area than can be seen up and down or to the left or right

while eyes arefixed at a given point).

- Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships).

- Ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Communications: Individual must be able to clearly understand the English language and be understood while speaking the English language.Must be able to read and write proficiently in the English language. Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner. Ability to testify in court.Multilingual skills including Spanish are an asset..

Driving: Must be able to operate a motor vehicle and have a valid driver’s license.

Background Check: Candidate must be able to pass a background check and fingerprint check with the CBI and FBI.

AFFIDAVIT

I certify that I understand the description of this job, the Essential Functions, and Policy Requirements as stated above. Furthermore, I certify that I am able to perform the duties and responsibilities as outlined above.

Signature______Date______

The job description does not constitute an employee agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.