Job Overview:

A public guardian caseworker is responsible for providing services to indigent and incapacitated persons with various cognitive deficits including severe Mental Health, Alzheimer's, Dementia, Intellectual Disabilities, and Traumatic Brain Injuries. A public guardian visits each client, personally, at least once a month, and depending on the client's needs, supervises medical care, oversees residential care, monitors social service benefits, advocates on the behalf of the client and completes detailed documentation of each encounter. This position is responsible for completing annual reports, filing paperwork received, and maintaining availability during on-call rotation to support program participants during times of emergencies. In addition to overseeing a limited caseload for the public guardianship program, this role will also be responsible helping with program administrative tasks such as reviewing and auditing case files, and scanning documents into our online database.

Supervision:

Performs work under the supervision of the Public Guardian Program Manager.

Duties/Responsibilities:

The essential duties of the Guardian Caseworker shall include, but are not limited to the following:

• Conducts visits at least monthly with program participants to include an array of settings including but not limited to hospitals, doctor’s appointments, and home-visits.
• Maintains assigned caseload. Monitors the on-going well-being and care of assigned program participants to assure they are receiving the appropriate level of care from community providers. Provides assistance to other participants as needed.
• Prepares, maintains, updates, and is responsible for sensitive client medical and personal records. Keeps client records up to date with respect to progress notes and any other client documentation. Maintains the confidentiality of all written or electronic records.
• Serves as support for rotating 24-hour on-call duties to provide program coverage for program participant emergencies. Scheduling is completed by supervisor.
• Participates in Person-Centered planning for program participants including but not limited to annual/quarterly care and service plan meetings, to provide consent for services, recommendations for the care of the person, and all other activities that assure the quality of life for program participants.
• Provides supported decision-making for program participants in all decisions granted to the program by the local Circuit court.
• Prepares and submits annual reports to local Departments of Social Services, agency Multi-Disciplinary Panel, and Public Guardian Support Plans. Completes all assigned reports timely.
• Attends appropriate meetings and trainings as required by the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services to remain up to date on best-practices, trends, and to expand knowledge concerning guardianship laws and regulations.
• Establishes and maintains strong collaborative relationships and communication with community service providers including but not limited to Community Service Boards, hospitals, Long-Term Care Facilities, and other agencies responsible for the care of program participants.
• Maintains regular communication with service providers via phone, e-mail, or in person.
• Serves as a mandated reporter to local Adult Protective Service agencies to delay, prevent, or cease abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable populations.
• Assists with marketing and outreach of the program with direction from supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Virginia's guardianship laws, alternatives, and surrogate decision-making
• Strong team player with ability to work independently
• Ethical decision-making and discretion
• Building and maintaining professional relationships
• Effective communication with diverse populations
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral skills
• Proficient in Windows, Microsoft Office, and web-based applications
• Advocacy for vulnerable populations
• Research and compiling information for client services
• Crisis management and resolution
• Comfortable with medical settings and terminology
• Skilled in handling competing priorities
• Skilled in case management

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or General Education Development (GED). Experience with evidence-based practices such as person-centered approaches, strengths-based approaches, or training equivalent to one year of relevant work experience within human services or related field.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of sitting behind a vehicle for travel time.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

Senior Connections prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.