Case Worker

Case Worker

The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health is currently seeking a full time Case Worker to work in our Miami campus. Case Worker coordinates services for respective population, including providing information about professional development opportunities, quality improvement strategies, and counseling to improve client's social and psychological conditions. Moreover, the Case Worker provides assistance to those experiencing difficult situations by helping them find the community resources/services that they need.

Core Job Functions

• Conducts situational analysis, which may be at home and/or office visits, mentors, and provides technical assistance as needed.
• Collaborates with the service agencies and program leadership to provide and administer services appropriately.
• Develops and provides training to family support network and/or care providers on various topics related to quality early care and education.
• Maintains and reviews records and files to ensure compliance with project guidelines.
• Collaborates with all funding sources to ensure the availability of adequate resources.
• Maintains current knowledge of services available and changes to applicable rules and regulations.
• Attends meetings and trainings, which may include the Early Learning Coalition, United Way, and the Quality Counts Career Center to enhance developmental potential.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Core Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field
• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience
• Bilingual preferred

Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience and/or certification may be considered.

Department Specific Functions

The Case Worker (CW) will assist patients with their tobacco cessation efforts and will educate health care providers on tobacco cessation best practices, and the use of appropriate pharmacotherapy products. The CW will plan, conduct and evaluate support groups for patients who are trying to quit smoking at various clinical settings and in coordination with their health care providers. The CW will provide tobacco prevention education and information, and support community efforts to create/sustain tobacco free environments and worksite wellness programs for employees in partnerships with the organizations.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Systems Change Activities (50%)

• Works closely with Systems Change Consultant to spearhead an initiative targeting employees of the Hospitality industry. Identifies and engages key contacts and champions for tobacco program system change within the hospitality sector throughout Miami-Dade County. Identifies best areas of opportunities for expansion of the program within that sector.
• Conducts needs assessment for tobacco system change at the selected hospitality settings and writes reports to start discussion with the facility's administration. Works with them to formalize relationship through Memorandum of Agreements (MOA).
• Writes systems change work plan for selected hospitality sites, incorporating sustainability strategies, including meetings and trainings as applicable. Collaborate with UMAHEC Tobacco team to provide ongoing technical assistance to these sites for implementation of the developed Tobacco System Change work plans.
• Works with hospitality sites HR Leadership for implementation of referral process (automated/referral form). Track referrals by site with the purpose of increasing effectiveness of referral.
• Works with Tobacco Program Manager to track Tobacco Cessation activity at Hospitality sites and evaluate effectiveness of Systems Change plans.
• Disseminates culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials and information on smoking/tobacco cessation services/programs.
• Disseminates information on the Florida Tobacco Quitline at participating clinical sites, and at community events.

Direct Services/Tobacco Cessation Delivery (50%)

• Completes tobacco cessation and HIPAA trainings.
• Conducts registration and enrollment of clients into Cessation classes.
• Plans and conducts tobacco cessation counseling sessions and support groups with referred patients at participating sites both in-person and online.
• Follows up with counseling sessions and support group participants regularly to determine the most appropriate intervention.
• Develops, in collaboration with clinical sites, an effective and HIPAA compliant system of recording patients' tobacco cessation information on medical records.
• Collects and manages an effective data collection AHEC model that captures data on participants, participating sites, success and relapse rates and effectiveness of promotional efforts.
• Prepares and submits accurate and timely reports on all program activities.
• Participates in planning meetings supporting the UMAHEC mission.
• Any other as requested by the supervisor

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Able to convey information effectively.
• Strong communication skills both oral and written.
• Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.
• Knowledge of relevant medical/legal issues that impact patient care.

Knowledge of community resources and eligibility requirement for state, local and federal programs.

• Knowledge and/or experience in strategic planning, adult education, and multicultural settings are essential.
• Proficiency in word processing, database management, and online technologies is highly desirable.
• Collaborate with behavioral health staff and organizations in order to optimize cessation outcomes and record quit attempts in the medical record
• Utilize motivational interviewing, rapport building, and person-centered communications skills
• Tailor communications and information for groups and individuals with lower levels of health literacy
• Experience and express empathy with the person's perspective about their dependence on tobacco, attempts to become tobacco free and whatever personal struggles and medical, psycho-social, or other stressors participants may be experiencing
• Maintain a bio-psycho-social perspective rather than a symptom driven perspective
• Practice cultural competency and sensitivity
• Attend to safety considerations
• Practice de-escalation skills
• Bilingual skills desirable.
• Excellent organizational skills.

Education Requirements (Essential Requirements)

• Bachelor's degree required in Health/Mental health related field (mental health counseling, nursing, psychology, social work, etc)

Work Experience Requirements (Essential Requirements)

• 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• Significant experience in tobacco prevention and cessation will also be considered.