Conducts interviews with clients, family members, and others in their home/field, in the office, or via telephone to assess the basic social, physical and mental needs of clients and obtain health information in order to identify and provide social services. Performs case studies and evaluates individual and family case information to assess the safety of children and adults; determines appropriate types and methods of treatment.
Carries a caseload of more difficult types of social services cases requiring a high degree of technical competence.
Receives reports of suspected abuse/neglect; investigates allegations by conducting interviews with victims and others; assesses situations and recommends, implements and monitors alternate placement; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys; may testify in court.
Maintains confidential information and client confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations; performs all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
Develops and carries out culturally sensitive service plans for an assigned caseload in conformance with agency, state and federal requirements; assists clients and family members to develop strategies to accomplish service plan goals.
Assess and evaluate client problems and determine service plans with a high degree of independence.
Refers clients to other staff members or to community resources for direct and intensive services and specialized counseling as necessary.
Advocates on clients' behalf for appropriate services. Assists applicants and clients in utilizing available resources, including assisting in completing paperwork and accompanying clients to appointments.
Interprets policies, rules and regulations of the agency to clients, applicants and others in the scope of responsibility.
Makes home visits in connection with casework assignments.
Prepares and maintains case records and databases; communicates decisions, timelines, recommendations, and service plans to clients, families and service providers.
Develops and prepares court reports, service plans, case narratives and safety plans in computer systems.
Coordinates and directly monitors family visitations to assess progress toward the case plan goals.
Participates in in-service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of social work practices and achieve technical proficiency.
Develops, coordinates, and may facilitate a team of professionals and natural supports working with clients to achieve client goals.
Provides community outreach for various agency programs.
Counsels or provides guidance and support to individuals and/or families with more complex or specialized needs including protective services, crisis intervention, special medical or legal needs, and other social services.
Provides self-help information, education, and services; works with client and caregivers to develop and improve caregiving and independent living skills.
Obtains and evaluates law enforcement, medical, and psychological reports.
Enters and retrieves data and narratives from computer systems.
May counsel client/family regarding marital, family inter-relationship, abuse/neglect and life skill issues.
May be assigned to specialized functions within the agency.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Requirements :
Pattern 1: A Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, or a Master's Degree from an accredited two-year counseling program.
Pattern 2: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four year college or university with a major in social welfare/social work, social/ human services, sociology, or other social or behavioral science; AND three (3) years of full-time progressively responsible social work case management experience as a professional Social Worker or Protective Services Worker in a private or public social services agency setting, as defined below, one (1) of which was at the level, or the equivalent in education and experience, of the Social Worker III in Mendocino County.
Social Worker IV-A is the highest level of advancement in the social worker series for social workers who do not possess a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, or a Master's Degree from an accredited two-year counseling program.
Social work case management is defined as: case management performed by a professional Social Worker or Protective Services Worker, as opposed to healthcare (or other non-social work) case management, with direct responsibility for assessing and evaluating clients; conducting investigations of abuse and neglect; preparing court reports; responsibility for a long term caseload, monitoring compliance through home calls and other personal contact; collaborating with other agencies and linking clients to resources and programs; developing a case plan, modifying case plans as needed/required; and having authority to impose sanctions or implement actions that impact services.