Description
$42,907.00 - $66,505.00 Annually
GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:
Serves as the professional social worker for senior citizens, talking with citizens and/or families and completing applications and determining the extent of need for services, refers to the Senior Center and other County department programs and/or other county agencies. Work includes providing counseling, reviewing, approving, and coordinating services provided by in-home management services, personal care services, and home delivered meals, providing referrals and information. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Senior Services Manager.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:
Providing social services to clients/patients; managing cases; referring clients/patients to appropriate agencies; maintaining records and files; preparing reports.
(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)
- Conducts initial assessments to determine eligibility; provides information on services to senior citizens and/or family members or friends; completes intake applications for home delivered meals and in-home services; gathers information on client’s functional capabilities and prioritizes according to needs; places the clients on a waiting list.
- Completes applications for the in-home aide program; resolves performance or client conflicts or problems as needed; schedules in-home aides to the extent staff are available to meet the needs of County seniors.
- Provides counseling to County’s seniors on a variety of issues including overcoming accessibility problems in the home such as building wheelchair ramps or some modification to provide mobility; seeks volunteers for a variety of services and coordinates activities; identifies senior’s needs and arranges the necessary services accordingly.
- Provides counseling to seniors on a range of subjects; provides information on topics such as Medicare, Medicaid, and supplemental insurance or long-term care insurance coverage; assists senior citizens in examining options based on their individual situation and needs.
- Based on professional judgment and experience identifies potential additional memory (dementia), emotional and related aging problems, and assists clients through suggesting other agency services and in accessing those services; provides information on resources, placement opportunities, application processes and eligibility requirements.
- Builds and maintains network of resources in County and community organizations that are willing to help senior citizens.
- Advocates for older adults and at-risk individuals; provides information and support and ensures the desired service results are obtained.
- Maintains applications and documentation of needs and records required; maintains daily log to track unmet needs.
- Generates periodic reports on all assigned areas to supervisor, NC Division of Aging, NC Board of Nursing, NC Division of Facility Services, and other sources that may audit the services provided.
- Performs related tasks as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Considerable knowledge of theories, practices and techniques of the field of social work, and demonstrated skills in adult and family assessments and service delivery; considerable knowledge of community resources and intervention for older adults and families; considerable knowledge of the aging process and social, physical, mental, and medical, etc. problems encountered by the older adults; general knowledge of and skill in teamwork; skills in interviewing older adults and respective family; ability to plan and develop short- and long-range programs and services and to collaborate with other providers and professionals; ability to accurately assess needs of clients, to determine options, and to make appropriate referrals; ability to exercise sound judgment in environments that include homes and service delivery situations; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, various social, health, medical agencies and personnel in the County, employees, peers, supervisor and the general public; ability to express ideas, concepts, and plans effectively, both in oral and written forms; ability to work effectively in teams and integrate services delivery for older adults; ability to supervise the work of staff.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; or Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; or Master's degree in a human services field and one year of directly related experience; Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience; or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
This is light work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; work requires stooping, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, and atmospheric conditions.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina. Medicare experience preferred.