Social Worker III

This position provides Guardianship Case Management. Guardianship Case Management is provided to cases that have been assigned to this Agency by the Clerk of Court/Judge.  Guardianship services are also offered to families who are in need of assistance in the guardianship process.
Funding for activities is provided through the Social Services Block Grant, State Funds, and Medicaid.  This position is part of the Adult Protective Services Unit within the Adult Services Program Area. Guardianship Caseload
Responsibilities for guardianship cases include comprehensive assessments, completion of service plans, quarterly reviews and court reporting (status reports, inventories and accountings) in order to meet the needs of the persons under guardianship. This social worker is also responsible for the monitoring and supervision to ensure medical, psychiatric, environmental, financial and social needs are met.  Responsibilities include problem solving, consultation and mediation with facilities, physicians, and family members.  Cases assigned are vulnerable persons with disabilities resulting from age related diagnoses, severe mental health, Intellectual Disability Disorder, traumatic brain injury or other cognitive impairments in high-risk complex situations.  This position also acts as liaison with various other human service agencies.  The division of social services, adult services section recommends an active caseload size of 25-30 individuals.

Assessment & Evaluation

• Measures the functional ability of the client to care for themselves.
• Assesses the extent to which client can mobilize family and community supports.
• Assesses and determines with other professionals the client’s ability to manage his/her own affairs or to make or communicate important decisions concerning his person, family, property, whether such lack of capacity is due to age related diagnoses, severe mental illness, Intellectual Disability Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, or similar causes or conditions. This social worker would assess the client for alternatives to guardianship and when appropriate assist with providing resources/implementation of resources in lieu of guardianship. 
• Works in conjunction with the Adult Protective Services staff, Agency Attorney, guardian ad litem, client, family, court staff, physicians, psychiatrist, Director, etc. as needed in assessing the determination of the need for guardianship and/or ongoing guardianship services.
• Assess by order of the court any multidisciplinary evaluations. This includes gathering medical, psychological, and other information on an individual to assess their need for a guardian. Upon completion, this social worker will make a recommendation to the court.

Development / Treatment / Goal / Service Plans

• This social worker will engage with the client, client’s family, and professional providers when appropriate, in the development of goals, objectives and strategies to prevent deterioration and to ensure that there is a responsible person to act on the client’s behalf as deemed appropriate.
• Reviews the service plan at least quarterly and documents on the service plan tool any progression toward the goals or any regression that has occurred since the last review.

Implementation

• Petitions the court for guardianship when appropriate
• Assists family members in guardianship process when appropriate
• Prepares Court Summaries if Court action is indicated and attend incompetency hearings presenting factual information to the Clerk of Court.
• Assumes and carries out guardianship responsibilities for adjudicated incompetent adults on behalf of the Agency director when the Department of Social Services is appointed guardian by the Court.
• Compiles statistical reports
• Completes case recordings
• Facilitate placement in appropriate level of care and completes admission packets. 
• Reviews various consents needed on behalf of clients determining if the consent requires the Director’s consent or a social worker can consent under Delegation of Authority of the Director.
• Review and sign Person Centered Plans when appropriate 
• Monthly contact with service providers and/or family to assess progress
• Authorizes expenditures and monitors the financial affairs on behalf of the Director regarding cases for which the agency has been appointed payee by the Social Security Administration, Veterans Office or other Agency.  
• Assumes fiduciary responsibilities on behalf of the Director when Agency is guardian of clients' estate.  All financial authorizations require approval of immediate supervisor.
• Continuous assessment of the client’s needs to include transfer of guardianship, restoration, limited guardianship, and alternatives to guardianship.

Counseling / Therapy

• Promotes an understanding of Court processes through supportive counseling with client and family
• Educates client and family to differences in levels of group care as appropriate
• Assists client in coping with major changes in living conditions (home and congregate living)

Monitoring / Reviewing Maintenance

• Reviews all cases at least quarterly to determine progress, level barriers, etc.
• Advises and updates supervisor on problematic cases and/or need to staff
• Revises service plan as warranted by information received and ongoing assessments.

Miscellaneous
This position also assists with intake rotation for Adult Services and disaster relief efforts that includes but is not limited to shelter duty. Assignment to emergency shelter duty during times of potentially dangerous or manmade disasters is an essential function of this position and you shall be required to fulfill these duties when instructed. Position may perform other duties as assigned by the Social Work Supervisor III, Social Work Program Manager, Director, and Deputy Director.Minimum Training and Experience Requirements: Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative (Child Welfare positions only); Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; Master's degree in a human services field and one year of directly related experience; Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience; Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience.

Equivalent Training and Experience: MSW or BSW degrees are preferred. Other appropriate combinations of education and experience will be considered for trainee / work-against status. Directly related experience is defined as human services experience in the areas of case management, assessment and referral, supportive counseling, intervention, psycho-social therapy and treatment planning. 

Special Requirements: Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license; any restrictions on North Carolina’s driver's license must not prohibit the performance of the essential functions of the position.