School Social Worker

Overview

We're Hiring !! School Social Worker - Mountainside, NJ

Hours: 8a-4p, M-F

Location: Mountainside, NJ

Salary: $62k-$82k/yr.

Position Summary

Provides assistance and support to Teacher in the planning and implementation of classroom instruction to specifically meet the educational needs of the assigned student. Provides encouragement and support to the student to contribute to the best possible educational experience.

Responsibilities

Operating in accordance with regulations defined by the N.J. Board of Education, Division of DevelopmentalDisabilities (DDD), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and Health InsurancePortability & Accountability Act (HIPAA), Office of Children’s Advocacy standards, established Bancroft policiesand procedures, applicable state/local/federal regulations, each student’s Individual Service Plan (ISP) andspecifically the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), serves as primary liaison between the School, socialservices, agencies, family members, and residential sites to provide social work services, case management,and support services for students and their family members:

• Interacts with Education staff, residential program management, family members, etc., to ensure all ISP/IEPmaterials are received on a timely basis from appropriate parties and are available to implement and monitorthe plans for each individual student;
• On an ongoing basis and in conjunction with Education management, education faculty, clinical-specific staff,and family members, monitors existing plans to ensure that stated educational goals and objectives areappropriate, achievable, and continue to meet the needs of individual students;
• Actively participates in and recommends appropriate modifications to the existing education plans to betteraddress and document the educational and (if applicable) residential goals and objectives for each student;o Acts as liaison between the Education program and students, family members, funding sources, AdmissionsDepartment (if applicable), and future discharge sites to facilitate an efficient admission and dischargeprocess. Interacts on a regular basis with school districts, N.J. Division of Child Protection and Permanency(DCP&P), other state agencies, etc., regarding various aspects of program participation; e.g., preparescorrespondence, completes required forms, etc., performs necessary follow-up activities, etc.;
• Dependent upon program supported, may provide social work counseling to students to enhance, protect,and/or restore capacity for coping with the social environment and to aid families in fostering students’growth and stability within the applicable program environment;o Conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments to acquire an overview of individual person served,determine how to best meet persons’ needs, and to support individual success in the Program; e.g., familycomposition and functioning, social/ethnic/religious/cultural influences, history and status of behavioralconcerns, medical/social/psychiatric/education/job history, communication abilities, sexual orientation,cognitive status, legal issues, environmental/financial/community supports, strengths and barriers totreatment, initial discharge plan, etc.;
• Provides person-centered advocacy to influence change and strive to improve the quality of life, enhanceempowerment, and assure the rights and dignity of person served;
• School Social Worker Page 2 of 5 Effective: November 2017
• Effectively networks with community agencies and school districts to encourage referrals and shareresources;
• Effectively communicates with and serves as a resource to students, family members, DDD Case Managers,funding sources, clinical team members, DCP&P, DCF, outside service agencies, school districts, communityservices, etc., through conferences, phone calls, and written correspondence, regarding students’ progress,changes in students’ behavior, to provide support and assist family members in understanding students’disabilities, to discuss both routine and problematic issues, and to maintain awareness of student’s totalprogram and progress;
• Performs various activities regarding discharge planning and follow-up for persons served; e.g., gathersassessments from contracting ancillary services (physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.), performscheck-ins with all caregivers to evaluate course of discharge plan and determine need for adjustments tolength of program stay, secures funding from appropriate sources for transition of person served to otherBancroft programs, as appropriate;
• Oversees completion and consistency of documentation with respect to the ISP and ancillary services forstudents in support of discharge planning and file closure;
• Convenes, coordinates, and participates in the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) process in conjunction with the IPP.Attends Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) meetings to both provide and obtain information regarding students, reviewbaseline goals, identify individual strengths and weaknesses, assess student progress regarding attainment ofgoals, determine the need for modifications to existing goals, combine goal teaching strategies for best possibleoutcome, and discuss concerns regarding specific students to ensure overall IPP effectiveness within theeducational environment.3. Attends various student review meetings, team/departmental meetings, etc., as needed, to review, discuss, andserve as student advocate at major decision points throughout students’ participation in the Bancroft educationsystem, pending transition into other Bancroft programs, etc.4. Maintains awareness of current and changing methods and techniques in the field of social work by attending inservice training, learning workshops, reading journals, etc.5. Follows state-approved emergency procedures and utilizes Bancroft-approved crisis intervention techniques atall times.6. Prepares for, and promptly responds to, emergency situations to ensure the safety and security of the programsite and students at all times; e.g., participates in fire drills, emergency evacuations, etc. Notifies proper authorityin the event of a valid emergency.7. Serves as a role model to students by projecting a positive self-image of professionalism, appearance,confidentiality, courtesy, conduct, honesty, fairness, personal integrity, and a respect for the fundamental rights,dignity, and privacy of others.8. Performs related social work activities for the benefit of students and family members, as needed. Remainsflexible and adaptable in work schedules and work assignments as defined by applicable program needs.9. Abides by the Bancroft Code of Ethics, Mission Statement, and Vision Statement in promoting ethical behavior,establishing relationships and providing guidance in decision-making situations.10. Remains current with required training certifications, meets state-regulated licensing and regulatoryaccreditations, and adheres to mandatory requirements.11. Maintains effective verbal and written communications with colleagues, those served, and their family membersand/or guardians when applicable.12. Willingly and effectively cooperates with Bancroft NeuroHealth, The Department of Human Services, TheDivision of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and other licensing or state agency or local municipalities in anyinspections and investigations, upon request.13. Reports any violations to the appropriate individual as soon as the incident occurs.School Social Worker Page 3 of 5 Effective: November 201714. Maintains levels of supervision as defined in behavior plans; e.g., Individual Program Plan (IPP), IndividualRehabilitation Plan (IRP), Individual Education Plan (IEP), Individual Service Plan (ISP), etc., when applicable.15. Demonstrates Bancroft’s core values (Accountable, Results-Driven, Respectful, Innovative) in the performance ofposition responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work with a minimum of two years of related work experience preferred
• Current N.J. School Social Worker Certificate required. Licensure (NJLSW) preferred
• Prior experience working with developmentally-disabled individuals preferred
• Knowledge of social work services, counseling techniques, and consultation skills required.
• Effective verbal andwritten communication skills and presentation skills required.
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to implement crisis intervention techniques required.
• Effective prioritization, organization, and time management skillsrequired.
• Valid driver’s license required in incumbent’s legal name and current address with no provisionalrestrictions.
• Minimum 18 years of age required.

EEO Statement

Bancroft stands strong against racism and hate of all kinds and supports actions leading to respect, equality, fairness and peace. We advocate for and embrace an inclusive and just world. One world. For everyone. We work with heart, respect and collaboration. We are communicators, listeners, problem solvers, partners and collaborators. Bring your authentic self to our team.

Bancroft is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and supports diversity, equity and inclusion in its hiring and employment practices, so that every team member can feel a true sense of belonging, and maximize their unique potential. To this end, all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.