Social Worker – APS & Guardianship
Purpose of Position
The purpose of this position is to provide adult protective services, investigate for elder abuse, collect information for guardianship and protective placement petitions, recommend guardian selection, placement and retention of rights, and conduct protective placement reviews. The work is performed by a Social Worker in accordance with applicable court orders, policies, rules, regulations and laws and under the direction of the ADRC Supervisor.
Essential Functions
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily and in a timely manner. The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.
Conduct Adult Protective Service (APS) investigations including elder abuse and vulnerable adult above investigations.
Interview clients, neighbors, family and others to gather case information. Research and verify client information from a variety of sources and persons such as attorneys, agencies, health care providers and others for case management, guardianships and protective placements.
Assess client needs, determine eligibility, apply for and utilize appropriate funding sources. Determine client medical, psychosocial, environmental and financial situation. Determine risk and least restrictive alternative for care.
Recommend services, placements, guardianships and guardians to the court. Create and prepare appropriate documentation, correspondence, forms and other materials for recommendations and reports. Testify in court.
Respond to emergencies. Consult with involved parties including law enforcement, health care providers, conduct home visits, and recommend placements.
Recruit, select, train and provide consultation to guardians. Arrange needed placement and other services including medical exams. Monitor services. Assess client change in situation and adjust services/plans.
Review protective placement cases on an annual basis.
Advocate on behalf of clients. Contact family members, friends, medical care personnel and other agencies.
Document client progress.
Provide information to social workers, attorneys, medical care providers and others regarding guardianships, protective placement and adult protective services.
Prepare and deliver public presentations regarding adult services, elder abuse, and guardianships. Participate in the countywide I-Teams on a quarterly basis.
Maintain working knowledge of human service programs, policies, manual, guidelines and statutes. Attend and participate in training, unit and agency meetings.
Serve on area or state committees related to Aging and ADRC programs or service delivery as assigned. Maintain technical manuals.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, copy, record and transcribe data and information. Ability to classify, compute, tabulate, and categorize data.
Ability to counsel, treat and mediate and/or provide first line supervision. Ability to convince, persuade and train others. Ability to advise and provide interpretation regarding the application of policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as mental health professionals’ reports, physicians’ reports, medical records, a variety of Human Service forms, court orders, court records, petitions, affidavits, financial records, assessment reports, state statutes, Wisconsin Administrative Code, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing with clients, client family members, law enforcement, medical care providers, social workers, attorneys, Judges, Human Services personnel, other agencies and the general public.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.
Ability to use functional reasoning and ability to provide rational judgement in performing diversified work activities
Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria, as opposed to criteria which are clearly measurable.
Training, Experience and Other Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, prior social work and case management experience, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. 2 years social work experience preferred. Experience in developing community alternatives for elderly and disabled persons and knowledge of guardianship and protective placement regulations and laws preferred. Wisconsin Social Work Certification required or must receive Wisconsin Certification during the first two years of employment. Valid motor vehicle operator’s license and/or available means of transportation required
Physical Demands
The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to operate, maneuver and/or steer equipment and machinery requiring simple but continuous adjustments such as motor vehicle, computer terminal, typewriter, telephone, fax machine, calculator/adding machine, computer printer and photocopier.
Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring moderate skill, such as typing.
Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes, sounds and odors associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
Environment / Work Conditions
Ability to work under conditions which require exposure to environmental factors such as irate individuals, intimidation, odors, pets, hazardous waste, traffic hazards and disease. This exposure may cause some discomfort and presents a risk of injury.
Deadline Note: Application must be submitted at https://co.trempealeau.wi.us/ to be considered for the position.