5A62
PAY RANGE: EP19
HEALTH SERVICES SOCIAL WORKER 2
(General)
(Group Work)
(Bilingual)
(Intellectual Disability Services)
This is social work at the full performance level within the assigned specialty. An employee in this class performs a variety of counseling, referral and/or placement assignments related to services to the intellectually disabled or services to adults and the aging or to clients of a health center which includes client orientation with the facility and services such as family planning, pre‑natal care and HIV/AIDS as appropriate. Employees in this class provide advisory and interpretive services to defined client populations, agency officials and superiors within the specialized areas. Work includes performing casework activities, assessing client and family needs, developing an appropriate service plan, developing and implementing group activities, providing on‑going counseling and referral services, and/or determining the appropriate placement actions. Work in this class differs from the next lower level in that employees exercise relatively independent judgment requiring a more significant degree of understanding of professional principles and techniques and departmental standards and rules. Contact with individuals, their families, representatives of professional and community groups, and the general public is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the general supervision of a technical superior.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
• The positions must perform full performance social work within the area of specialization.
• The positions must be located within the Department of Public Health or the Department of Behavioral Health Services.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Interviews individual and family members within City's family medical care program; evaluates social, medical, emotional, and financial history of individuals; develops an individual and family profile; orients family to program's purpose, services, and planning process; discusses with program's medical and nursing staff the status and problems of individuals; counsels patients in understanding, accepting and following medical recommendations; refers individuals to a variety of agencies.
Performs pregnancy and family planning counseling; evaluates social, medical, emotional and financial impact of pregnancy on patient; counsels patients on alternative pregnancy options; provides family planning information; discusses advantages and disadvantages of various contraceptive methods; counsels patients concerned with infertility and sexual problems.
Screens referrals to in‑home service programs offered by older adult centers; visits homebound individuals to determine capabilities, characteristics of household, and attitudes; determines needs of client and problems present; develops a service plan for the individual; encourages individuals to participate in activities offered at centers.
Interviews volunteers for HIV antibody test on one‑on‑one basis to assess the reason that test is being requested; determines if patient is of high risk for HIV infection; provides information concerning the nature of the test, the prognosis for those who test positive, the potential psychological impact of a positive or negative test result and societal problems which may be encountered upon receipt of a positive test result which may include the areas of housing, employment and insurability; educates all patients in risk reduction techniques; reaffirms the desire to be tested at the completion of the pre‑test counseling.
Provides HIV antibody test results to persons tested; explains the significance of both negative and positive test results; assists seropositive individuals in developing a plan for reducing the chances of developing AIDS or transmitting the disease to others; assists seronegative individuals in developing a plan to remain uninfected; provides intensive counseling, if deemed necessary, to persons designated as seropositive; schedules additional counseling and information sessions for individuals if required; assesses needs of seropositive individuals and develops appropriate care plan; coordinates care of seropositive patients through linkage to appropriate agencies.
Assesses social needs of individuals at older adult centers; confers with new and current members as well as other center workers in an effort to gather useful information; designs, develops and implements group activities based on the assessed needs of the center's members.
Sets up and conducts a new members group for all new enrollees to orient them to the center and on‑going activities; encourages all members to participate in group activities.
Develops topic and content of group sessions based on the need or expressed desires of the members; may lead sessions or secure outside speakers; organizes recreational, arts and crafts activities and instructional classes; plans outings for the center's members making all necessary arrangements; may form and lead advocacy groups for the purpose of solving community, center‑based, and other problems experienced by the members.
Performs on‑going evaluation of group activities to identify strengths and weaknesses; assesses impact of group activities on individuals.
Performs a variety of case management activities for clients with intellectual disabilities; coordinates the individual planning process for assigned cases; develops, in concert with an interdisciplinary team, an annual comprehensive Individual Support Plan (ISP) for each assigned case; prepares written plan and implements plan within court-mandated time limits; discusses proposed changes in plans and facilitates resolution of issues with team members as required; prepares transitional plans and addenda as required; coordinates and monitors the provision of services and supports as stated in the plan.
Conducts on-site monitoring of each individual's residential and day program at mandated intervals; completes standard monitoring forms for each scheduled site visit; monitors items of concern identified during site visits until addressed in an appropriate manner; makes periodic, unannounced visits to residential and day programs; attends site visits conducted by monitoring agencies.
Responds in writing to all issues cited in annual, periodic and sample case reviews and monitoring reports within mandated time limits; notifies State of potential moves by consumers within mandated time limits; completes forms to initiate and maintain Medicaid Waiver process for consumers; monitors financial accounts to ensure Medicaid Waiver eligibility is maintained.
Provides information on assigned cases to superiors, departmental staff, and monitoring agencies as required; responds to inquiries from family members, attorneys, provider agencies, and other interested parties.
Documents all case activities and ensures that clinical file is maintained and up to date per policy; prepares work schedules and activity reports; attends mandated training sessions, workshops and conferences.
Attends periodic staff and personal conferences; confers with superior on difficult problems; prepares reports and correspondence; keeps records of all assigned cases.
Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
· the principles, practices and techniques of social work as applied to the area of specialization
· the laws, regulations and rules governing the provision of social services to individuals within area of specialization
· philosophy and objectives underlying social services within area of specialization
· functions and resources of public and private welfare and related agencies for meeting social, financial, and medical problems
· theories, principles and techniques of working with individuals with severe emotional, intellectual, and social problems
· the causes of social, environmental, economic and psychological factors which necessitate the placement or institutionalization of children and adults
· the principles, practices, methods and techniques of social service planning
· concepts and methods utilized in the prevention of self‑destructive behaviors
· group dynamics which includes the socialization of individuals into group activity
· the current problems of senior citizens and programs for senior citizens
· basic medical terminology
ABILITY TO:
· observe, recognize, analyze and report an individual's behavioral, emotional and social problems and develop a plan for their resolution
· evaluate program quality and effectiveness as they relate to an individual's or a group's needs, recommending modifications when appropriate
· employ tact, diplomacy and judgment in dealing with sensitive problems and hostile attitudes
· establish rapport and cooperative relationships with individuals with social and emotional problems
· plan and implement group activities based on the assessed needs of participants
· motivate and encourage individuals to participate in group activity
· establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private social service officials, representatives of community organizations, associates and the general public
· prepare a variety of written reports
· present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
· maintain complete and accurate records on assigned cases
· meet deadlines consistently
· learn computer entry and retrieval methods and software applications related to work assignment
· speak, read and write in a specified non‑English language and in English fluently for the Bilingual specialty
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 12/15.)
GENERAL SPECIALTY
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
Three years of social work experience in a health center, which has included one year above the trainee level.
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
Three years of social work experience, two years of which have been in the area of specialization, which has included one year above the trainee level.
NOTE: A Master's Degree in Social Work may be substituted for two years of social work experience for the above specialties. This note does not apply to career advancement or in-position promotions.
Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and the designated non‑English language.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATION AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Candidates must possess, at the time of appointment or secure within six (6) months after appointment, and maintain during tenure of employment a certificate that verifies successful completion of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) approved course and examination entitled HIV Prevention Counseling and Proficiency Examination, if required by work assignment.
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 11/15
Ad. Board – 12/15
Change in Pay Rate:
CSC – 6/23
Ad. Board – 7/23
JL