Social Worker / Case Worker

CASE WORKER Overall Description
The CASE WORKER has a caseload of up to 45 providing intensive case management to individuals recovering from a serious mental illness in a residential setting. As a member of the Planning Team the CASE WORKER is a key team member who provides direction based on goals developed together with the resident in the Service Plans. The CASE WORKER: 1) meets with residents and assesses resident needs, 2) prioritizes needs with them, 3) develops goals and plans to address needs, 4) insures that plans are being followed through, 5) assists residents in applying for any government resources they may be entitled to. The CASE WORKER presents new plans and report progress on existing plans at Planning Team Meetings. The CASE WORKER will monitor documentation by the Residential Staff to insure that the plans to address resident needs are being followed through. This employee is also responsible for all the required documentation in the residents’ charts. The CASE WORKER is responsible for other documentation as needed. The CASE WORKER communicates with families on a regular basis. The CASE WORKER is responsible for the insuring that Vision meetings occur with the appropriate persons invited. This employee facilitates groups as directed. In addition, the CASE WORKER contributes his/her input in analysis of problems, planning solutions or developments in the area of programmatic performance improvement. Provides on-call services at least one week per month.

Case Management responsibilities include: assessing the residents functioning, promoting the resident’s highest level of independent functioning, supportive one-to-one contacts, goal setting and action to achieve progress on goals in all areas of the residents functioning: clinical, medical/dental, social, vocational, residential, leisure, hygiene, and independent living skills. Documentation in the resident’s chart is required on a timely basis. The CASE WORKER is responsible for ongoing communication with residents’ family and treatment providers as well as the coordination of case conferences with the same. Communication with supervisors and other employees is a key factor to the functioning of the team in supporting progress of the resident.
REQUIREMENTS
Resumes will be accepted through 9/22/2006.

Educational/Job Related Experience Requirements: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Social Work. Over 5 years experience working with individuals recovering from a serious mental illness.

Parent’s Foundation Educational Requirements: General Orientation at time of hire. Fire/Safety, Medication, Emergency Procedure annually. Current knowledge in psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery.

Physical Requirements: This position requires frequent walking, standing, driving, bending, light to moderate lifting at lest 50 lbs., sitting, stair climbing. May require working at computer and viewing computer screen. Activities may include running, climbing stairs, crouching, balancing, kneeling, reaching and twisting. Vision and hearing should be corrected to the normal range. Facilitating some recreational activities may be required.

Work Environment: Residential living environment for persons with mental illness, some with very special needs, and some who may, at times be physically aggressive. Involves a high level of interaction with residents and employees, families and outside professionals in a stressful, psychiatric milieu. Must be reliable and dependable.

Cognitive Requirements: Excellent comprehension, communication, interpersonal skills. Requires abilities to assess and interpret complex information and make good decisions. Excellent judgment. High level of emotional stability and maturity required.

Special Requirements: Excellent skills working with persons with psychiatric diagnoses. High degree of flexibility, accountability. Ability to manage multiple priorities with maximum follow through, meeting deadlines. Organized. Initiative and creativity in problem solving. Managing under stressful or crisis situations, high stress tolerance. Ability to function as a team player. Special skills in dealing patiently and respectfully with others in difficult situations.

Element # 1. Assessment of resident needs
1.Assesses, with resident's input, resident needs, within 72 hr of admit
2.Completes psychosocial history, within 72 hr of admit

Element # 2. Service plan development and implementation
1.Reassesses social work/case management needs with resident and documents such on monthly basis
2.In service plans, addresses resident's psychiatric/chemical dependency, medical/dental, ADL, social, family, leisure time, vocational needs
3.Together with residents develops realistic, attainable goals
4.Works with residents on accomplishment of service plan goals within specified time frames
5.Provides feedback and positive reinforcement to residents on goal attainment
6.Communicates with other staff regarding resident plans
7.Consistently follows approaches and plans established for residents
8.Follows through and follows up on timely basis with all case management activities
9.Works with supervisor to implement plans that promote resident progress on goals
10.Works with Residential Staff to foster coordination of activity with residents that promotes resident goals

Element # 3. Linkage and liaison with service providers and families
1.Makes referral to appropriate other services and providers
2.Maintains communication on ongoing basis with other providers
3.Coordinates meetings with family and other providers as necessary

Element # 4. Appropriate and timely documentation
1.Completes initial psychosocial and admission materials
2.Documents service plan and updates on monthly basis or more frequently based on resident status
3.Maintains case progress notes on weekly basis or as indicated by resident's change of status
4.Maintains other required documentation on timely basis, by deadlines

Element # 5. Professional development
1.Attends and participates in in-service training

Element # 6. Engagement of residents in productive activity
1.Assesses interests and potential for productive activity
2.Assists linkage with programs for engagement in activity
3.Supervises, assists and monitors follow-through in productive activity, evaluating obstacles and developing solutions
4.Performs other duties in vocational, horticultural, in-house program opportunities for residents as assigned.
5.Facilitates group activities.

Element # 7. Environment safety
1.Provides leadership and follows policy and procedure in insuring the safety of the environment
2.Participates in supervising fire drills as scheduled
3.Completes incident reports when necessary

Element # 8 Team work
1.Works together with other staff on shift to accomplish smooth shift operation
2.Utilizes approaches to residents consistent with that established in resident plan
3.Demonstrates receptiveness to other staff ideas and approaches
4.Communicates with other staff and supervisor
5.Reads daily log at start of shift and logs appropriately
6.Utilizes good judgment and coordinates with staff in handling crises
7.Is punctual, gives sufficient notice when out and arranges appropriate coverage on timely basis
8.Is creative and takes initiative and seeks approval around ideas/projects
9.Performs other duties as assigned, may be required to cover for other positions


Element # 9 Positive approach to residents, staff and work environment
1.Demonstrates respect and understanding in all interactions with residents
2.Demonstrates respect and support for other staff
3.Participates in meetings, appropriately raising issues, respecting peers and management

Element # 10 Integration of organization’s philosophy
1.Promotes the philosophy of the organization in all interactions, internal and external