Caseworker 37.5 FT

Job Title

Starting Compensation: $44,967.00/Annually

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Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

• Performs comprehensive assessments for persons seeking long term care services and needing public funding or home and community-based services

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to Chief Caseworker meeting bi-weekly and as needed.
• Work is reviewed by Supervisor prior to Level of Care being issued.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Makes face to face visits with consumers seeking long term care services or Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) to complete thorough and comprehensive assessments; thoroughly reviews all medical and healthcare needs to issue the most appropriate and least restrictive Level of Care. Works with family members, significant others, physicians, hospitals, and/or agencies to obtain necessary information to complete assessments and determine appropriate levels of care. (50 %)
• Completion of assessments must meet set standard of 10-business days. Knowledge of WellSky and PIA software is learned and assessments are entered according to Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) guidelines by use of Tablets. (30%)
• Completes required forms and documents for Dom Care Home and Personal Care Home residents applying for state SSI supplement and performs Level II assessments and completes necessary forms and documents required by regulations and procedures. (10 %)
• Completes and maintains accurate records of consumer assessments and other information required for Agency and PDA reporting purposes and in accordance with HIPAA requirements. All documentation of contacts/actions to include date of initial contact, consumer visit, and assessment completion are to be completed within specified timeframes. Prepares for appeal hearings and provides testimony relative to level of care determinations, which are appealed. (10%)
• In the course of performing job duties, employee will be required on a routine basis to provide own transportation to home visits, meetings and other job-related appointments and access those locations without special accommodations.
• The percentage of time spent on essential duties will vary, as the needs of the agency require.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

• Maintains accurate knowledge of all aging program policies and procedures; maintains current and thorough working knowledge of all community services for individuals age 18 and older.
• Collects financial information using screening tool when appropriate for HCBS.
• Provides benefits counseling by informing consumers and families of programs, services and entitlements.
• Interprets aging program policies and procedures to individuals, groups and agencies in the community.
• Writes letters, reports, etc. to consumers, physicians, agencies, etc., as needed.
• Attends relevant and/or required trainings as specified.
• Follows HIPAA standard of confidentiality with consumer information.
• Performs other duties as required.
• Knowledge and adherence to all County and Agency Policies/Procedures demonstrated.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Two (2) years of casework experience including one (1) year of experience performing assessments of clients' functional ability to determine the need for institutional or community based services and a Bachelor's Degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 semester hours credit in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related social sciences; or
• One (1) year of assessment experience performing assessments of clients' functional ability to determine the need for institutional or community based services and a bachelor's degree with a social welfare major; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training including successful completion of 12 semester hours of college level courses in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related social sciences.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of current regulations and policies governing the long-term care assessment program. Knowledge of modern medical terminology. Knowledge of individual and group behavior and ways of working effectively with older adults who have social, economic, emotional and/or health problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, other members of the staff, outside agencies, institutions and general public.
• Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities and maintain a caseload of clients in an effective manner.
• Ability to maintain agency confidentiality standards. Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of other persons and to work with older adults who are physically disabled and/or economically disadvantaged.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Acceptable Pre-Employment Criminal Background Check
• Acceptable Pre- Employment Child Abuse Clearance
• Acceptable Pre-Employment Drug Screening
• Acceptable Driver history in accordance with County Policy
• Must pass the Assessor Credentialing Exam and receive accreditation as an assessor, through Aging Well, PA, LLC, within the first four months of employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This job is not sedentary; carrying or lifting rolling Tablet case (weight approximately 6lbs) to and from assessments.
• Walking or driving to consumers' homes, hospitals, nursing facilities, Dom/Personal Care Homes.
• Repetitive motion of data entry in the field and office into the Tablet
• This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B. Access to training and a voluntary vaccination against Hepatitis B is provided.