Protective Services Worker

Protective Services Worker

An exciting full-time opportunity to join a dynamic team dedicated to elder protective services. There are opportunities in the Franklin County area, hybrid work environment, based out of our Greenfield office.

The Protective Services Worker conducts thorough assessments of reports of elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation and self-neglect. The PS Worker provides services and/or referrals to help mitigate risks. The successful candidate will be competent in forming positive partnerships with local agencies and affiliated professionals involved with providing protective services and supports. Successful applicants will have outstanding crisis intervention skills, be detail oriented, and have excellent interpersonal communication skills.

Full time, M-F, 35 hour work week with a requirement to be available to work off hours in emergencies and to attend training.

Position pays $25.96 per hour, 6% pay differential for bilingual skills. Opportunity to earn additional compensation by serving on the on-call team after six months of service but not required.

There is mileage reimbursement, an excellent work environment, and opportunity to work with skilled and caring colleagues. LifePath provides an outstanding benefits package including: Medical, Dental, Vision, EAP, company paid Life insurance, HRA, 401K retirement plan, flex scheduling/hybrid work options, and generous paid time off.

Please submit your cover letter and resume if you are interested in being considered for this crucial role.

LifePath is deeply committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness. Bilingual, minorities, women and candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply. EOE/AA

Qualifications & Skills for the Protective Services Worker:

• A bachelor's degree in social work, human services, criminal justice, public health, gerontology or related field or advanced studies.
• At least three years of experience in related field required.
• Must have crisis intervention experience.

Ideal candidate will have excellent:

• Interpersonal skills.
• Documentation & record-keeping accuracy.
• Computer proficiency.
• Time management.
• Clinical skills.
• Ability to establish positive relations.
• Flexibility.
• Compliance/regulations experience.

Protective Services Worker Essential Job Functions:

• Receive reports of abuse, neglect, self neglect, financial exploitation and self neglect of elders – age 60 and over.
• Conduct in-depth investigations to determine whether abuse, neglect, self neglect, or financial exploitation has occurred.
• Respond to emergency situations providing crisis intervention as appropriate.
• Develop and implement service plan with participation and approval of elder.
• With supervisory input, determine need for court petition for a Protective Order or Guardianship/Conservatorship/Rep. Payee.
• Initiate and participate in case conferences with service providers and/or family members as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with LifePath staff, service providers, and other professionals.
• Report situations involving serious abuse, exploitation, or death to the DA's office.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in client's file.
• Participate in on-call Emergency Beeper Coverage.
• Educate the community (general public, mandated reporters, service providers, elders) on what constitutes abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, how to make a Protective Services Report and what the Protective Services Program can and cannot do.
• Establish linkages with other professionals involved in Protective Service cases including: police, Probate Court, DA's office, hospital social work departments and discharge planners, Emergency Services, etc.

Essential Functions:

Physical:

• Visual, speaking, auditory and mobile capacity necessary.
• Capacity to see computer screens, read written material, and drive a car.
• Capacity to hear and speak on the telephone.
• Capacity to communicate verbally with consumers, caregivers, supervisors and managers.
• Capacity for fine manipulation in the frequent use of office equipment such as computers, copy machines, fax machines, telephones, etc.
• Capacity to drive in all weather to visit consumers in their homes.
• Capacity to navigate uneven terrain in all weather to visit consumers in their homes.
• Capacity to climb stairs.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Occasional reaching and grabbing objects with both hands, twisting of hand and wrist, and pushing and pulling of objects.
• Occasional bending, squatting, and twisting to perform work functions.
• Occasional capacity to lift up to 25 pounds.

Mental:

• Ability to understand and/or interpret complicated program instructions and laws.
• Capacity to maintain confidentiality of all documentation and client communications according to HIPPA standards.
• Capacity to learn complicated computer software.
• Capacity to deal rationally and calmly with varying personalities
• Capacity to work well in a fast paced, rapidly changing environment.

Environmental:

• Work is split between indoor office work and traveling outdoors to meetings, training and consumers' homes.
• Must be able to tolerate odors and pollutants including but not limited to smoke, air fresheners, pet dander, personal odors, etc. from a variety of in-home conditions.
• Must be able to tolerate by-products of office machine operation.
• Must be able to tolerate heat and cold of seasonal changes and indoor temperatures.