Social Worker II

Job Description : Social Worker II

Social Worker II

The Social Worker II is part of the Specialized Health and Social Services (SHSS) program. This position is headquartered in Public Health Region 1 in the Amarillo office;

this is a hybrid role with the option to work both remotely and in-person.

Under the supervision of the Specialized Health and Social Services (SHSS) program supervisor. Provides complex and comprehensive public health social work and case management services for children with special health care needs and their families and children and high-risk pregnant women who receive services or are seeking services from local, state, and federal programs.

Conducts Personal Care Services and Community First Choice assessments and reassessments. Provides information and referral services to families and the community.

Conducts presentations and communicates program services to consumers / public in a positive and accurate manner. Attends team and professional development training including staff meetings.

Works as a team member. Works under minimum supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Completes administrative duties and monthly reports. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy.

Employee actively participates and / or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and / or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Essential Job Functions :

45%) Case Management Functions : Conducts home visits for comprehensive assessment of home environment, psychosocial, economic, and special medical needs of the child and family.

Provides case management services for families in the Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program (CSHCN-SP), Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance pilot project (BDES), Newborn Screening (NBS), Newborn Hearing Screening (NBHS), Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP), Personal Care Services and Community First Choice (PCS / CFC), Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Child Protective Services (CPS) / Foster Care and Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women (CPW) programs.

Following program guidelines, provides comprehensive case management services including the Intake, Family Needs Assessment, Service Plan, and Follow-up services.

Assesses and refers children for other medical services, coordinates services with various Medicaid programs and / or the local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority.

Responsible for professional communication and ongoing coordination of services with primary care physicians and other medical providers.

Assists families with the eligibility determination process for CSHCN-SP. Attends and advocates for clients at Admission Review and Dismissal and / or other educational meetings held by public schools.

Provides information and referral services, linkage to community resources, family supports, advocacy, and service coordination.

Serves as a liaison between clients and various service providers. Assist families with application or reapplication for other appropriate federal, state and community services.

Maintains case record documentation. Maintains confidentiality of client information and records according to HIPAA guidelines and state agency record retention guidelines.

Utilizes software programs for database entry, word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, and Internet.

15%) Personal Care Services / Community First Choice : Conducts assessments to determine eligibility and need for PCS / CFC.

Conducts assessments and reassessments for the PCS / CFC program in the client’s home which requires knowledge of program guidelines and professional judgment as a Licensed Social Worker for determination of eligibility and service authorizations for PCS / CFC.

Responsible for thorough and accurate documentation on the Personal Care Assessment and CFC Addendum Form, submission of timely authorizations for approval to Texas Medicaid Health Partnership, maintaining current and accurate documentation of all case actions / activities in case file and data base.

Coordinates services with various Medicaid programs or local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority. Responsible for professional communication and ongoing coordination of services with primary care physicians, PCS / CFC providers, PDN providers, and Medicaid programs or discharge planners to ensure services are available prior to discharge from the hospital to home.

Responsible for preparation, completion of documentation, and participation in the fair hearing process for PCS / CFC denials and modifications.

15%) Community Organization / Resource Development : Actively participates in community organization functions and collaborates with other community entities on health, social work, case management and other related issues.

Serves as the representative for the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on the Community Resource Coordination Group meetings, coalitions, interagency groups and advocacy groups to collaborate efforts in serving children with special health care needs.

Participates in the delivery of community disaster mental health services as needed. Provides program presentations to public to promote awareness of services available to children with health risks, conditions, or special health care needs.

10%) Professional & Team Development : Attends regional and program staff meetings. Attends trainings and conferences relevant to job to meet licensing requirement and provides backup and support to other team members.

Continues to develop professional knowledge and skill in the practice of Social Work / Case Management in the Public Health setting.

Participates in performance evaluations.

10%) Administrative and Other Duties as Assigned : Completes administrative duties, monthly reports, special assignments, and work activities in a professional and timely manner.

Supervises Social Work Interns. Participates in and / or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and / or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and / or location. Will know, understand, and carry out their role in the event of a disaster response and / or recovery effort or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Will have immunizations current that are necessary to maintain immunity or show immunity to specific diseases. Employee maintains an acceptable driving record that meets the standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and safely operates either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle to conduct state business in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures, and Texas motor vehicle, traffic and driving licensing law.

Employee must have a valid Class C Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state and provide proof of appropriate auto insurance.

5%) Technical Assistance / Quality Assurance / Trainings : Provides consultation, presentations, and training to service providers / contractors for programs such as CSHCN-SP, CPW and Family Support Services as needed.

Participates as a team member to conduct monitoring site visits to evaluate and provide technical assistance to providers / contractors / potential providers on case management issues.

Performs public relations with providers and recruit’s new providers. Works as a team member to develop improved processes and trainings for providers, contractors, and consumers.

Assists in training new staff.

Knowledge Skills Abilities :

Knowledge of children’s programs, such as Medicaid, CSHCN, CPW, CPS / Foster Care, SSI, NBS, NBHS, Lead, Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), and CHIP.

Knowledge of community resources on a local, state, and national level.

Knowledge of the cultural and socioeconomic issues related to health and disabilities.

Skill in using computer software programs in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, electronic mail, and Internet, specifically MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Outlook.

Skill in conducting in-home family needs assessments and developing service plans.

Skill in providing presentations and trainings.

Ability to work effectively as a team member in an interdisciplinary setting.

Ability to interpret and apply program policies and procedures.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to plan work in an orderly manner to manage caseloads and meet deadlines.

Ability to speak and write effectively and to address audiences in a professional manner.

Ability to work under minimum supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.