Case Manager- Adult Protective Services

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direction of a Masters' level supervisor, responsible for the provision of crisis intervention, Protective Services and social casework on a voluntary or involuntary basis to a caseload of mentally and physically impaired, abused, and/or neglected older clients. In accordance with the standards of the social work profession, agency policies, and requirements of the funding source the individual will perform the duties itemized below.

• Conducts preliminary screening of applicants for service at case intake; screens for program eligibility; conducts triage for emergency intervention; ascertains short-term needs; and provides accurate and appropriate information and referral services to clients, families, and collaterals.

• Provides in-home and in-office assessments of the social and emotional needs of the older adult client and his/her family; utilizes prescribed standardized assessment instruments (i.e. PSA, EISEP-PATH); and secures appropriate assistance of other social work and/or professional consultants.

• Develops and implements written case plans to provide a full range of social services for older adult clients and family, including:

o Provides individual and family counseling and guidance to resolve problems of the client(s) and family.

o Prepares and disseminates appropriate information to clients and collaterals regarding the normal physical, social, and psychological development of individuals, challenges to functioning presented by conditions of impairment, disease, social stresses and dysfunction, and suggests methods used to cope and preserve individual functioning and autonomy.

o Prepares specific information about health, welfare, education and recreation services available to serve the older client.

o Screens client eligibility and applications for appropriate benefits and entitlement. o Arranges for direct provision of services such as homemaker, home health aide, public assistance, Medicare, Medicaid, emergency cash relief, legal aid, Protective Services, vocational placement, medical and psychiatric examination and therapy, housing, etc. o Evaluates clients' capacity to manage their own affairs and protect themselves from financial exploitation.

o Assists in securing needed and legitimate financial management or guardianship arrangements.

o Disburses monies as issued through JASA relief funds or client financial management services to secure needed goods and services.

o Refers to, and maintains a cooperative relationship with, other community agencies to meet the needs of clients.

• Conducts ongoing in-home visits to evaluate client functioning, monitor risk, assess the status of current services, and update and revise the case plan; seeks appropriate guidance from the supervisor in situations requiring clarification and consultation.

• Extended Hours and Emergency Schedules:

o May be required to carry a beeper/phone on evenings, weekends and holidays, with this responsibility shared by professional and supervisory staff on a rotating basis. May be called upon to respond to a crisis and to either spend time on the telephone or assist a client in-person.

o In crisis situations, (e.g., "cold weather days") requiring visitation of clients lacking heat, or scheduled appointments for emergency medical or psychiatric examinations, or initiation of emergency homecare services, or implementation of court-ordered protective actions, may be instructed to report to work during times other than the normally scheduled work week, including evenings, weekends and holidays.

• Supervises community aides, interns and volunteers.

Represents and interprets the agency at community conferences and meetings. Participates in training and unit meetings.

• Completes required case records, reports and statistics within mandated timeframes, utilizing computers, if so required.

• Handles special assignments and duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of an Accredited College or University with a B.S.W. or other BA-level degree or equivalent, preferably in psychology or gerontology.

• Good writing/record keeping skills.

• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.

Must be computer literate, including ability to learn and use program-specific software. Ability to travel to clients' homes using mass transit and to negotiate any steps and barriers in clients' residences.

• Knowledge of Yiddish/Russian/Spanish/Patois may be helpful.

• Ability to understand and appreciate the roles of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, and individual values as they relate to serving clients and their families.