Case Worker, Adult Protective Services

Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 27,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Certification reimbursement

Well-being programs

Employee discounts

On-Demand Pay

Job summary

Mercyhealth in Illinois is seeking an APS Caseworker to investigate abuse/neglect and coordinate services for older adults or disabled individuals. The role requires extensive casework, documentation, and collaboration with IDoA and Mercyhealth teams.

The position demands strong interviewing skills, ability to navigate court procedures, and experience in coordinating waiver services. Minimum education spans bachelor’s to four years of experience in related fields, with CPR certification required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree in health or human services, social work, health care administration, gerontology, criminal justice, or nursing.
• OR Associate degree from an accredited program in health, nursing, social services, social work, health care administration, gerontology, disability studies, criminal justice or public administration and four years' experience in health or human services.
• OR An active licensed practical nurse license, with one year experience in health or human services
• OR Four years' experience with law enforcement or criminal investigation
• OR An approved waiver of educational requirements for intake workers and case aides through the IDoA
• AND Minimum three years of experience with assessment of needs for older adults (60+years) or those 18-59 who have a disability, preferred.
• Must attend Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) Adult Protective Services Caseworker Certification Trainings Phase I, Simulation Training and Phase II and pass the test, as well as any other mandatory training as required by IDoA.
• Current CPR certification; or obtain through Mercyhealth within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Conducts investigations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, financial exploitation and/or self-neglect within the specified time frame as set forth by the Illinois Department on Aging's (IDOA) Organization Standards and Responsibilities. Interviews alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, family members, providers and other collaterals as required.
• Provides Case Work activities for clients and families: assesses client needs, develops a case plan and links clients to resources. Monitors the resources/interventions put in place to ensure needs are being met.
• Provides follow-up activities on a monthly basis which includes coordinating care/services for the client, evaluating if current services are sufficient and assessing the risk for future abuse, neglect, abandonment, financial exploitation or self-neglect issues.
• Completes the paperwork required by the IDoA Adult Protective Services program accurately and in a timely manner.
• Negotiates difficult family situations using a variety of interview/assessment skills and involves the APS Supervisor or Lead Caseworker when appropriate.
• Utilizes the court system for judicial procedures such as Orders of Protection, Evictions, Guardianships or the like. Prepares the case and oneself to testify in court as necessary.
• Coordinates with Waiver services such as Aging, DHS/DRS, DHS/DDD, MCO and the like per IDoA policies.
• Participates in monthly M-Team meetings by presenting a case when scheduled to do so, offering constructive input to the group and incorporating recommendations in the Client’s case plan when appropriate. In addition, the APS Caseworker will take minutes when assigned and turn these in to the APS Supervisor or other designated staff within two weeks after the meeting.
• Participates in Staff meetings: monthly APS meetings, monthly Older Adult Services all-dept meetings, as well as all-agency meetings, offering constructive input when appropriate.
• Participates in IDoA and Mercyhealth required activities.
• Completes annual required educational requirements for both IDoA/APS and Mercyhealth.

Skills

English proficiency

Follow written/oral instructions

Education

Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree in health or human services

Associate degree + 4 years health/human services

Active LPN license in health/human services

4 years experience with law enforcement or criminal investigation

Minimum 3 years experience with assessment of needs for older adults or disabled

IDoA APS Caseworker Certification trainings

CPR certification (current or within 6 months)

Job description

OVERVIEW

Investigates and responds to reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect while assessing client needs and coordinating appropriate services and resources. Maintains case documentation, conducts follow-ups, collaborates with providers and multidisciplinary teams, and completes required court, training, and program activities.

SCHEDULE: 40-hours per week

SHIFT: Days

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts investigations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, financial exploitation and/or self-neglect within the specified time frame as set forth by the Illinois Department on Aging's (IDOA) Organization Standards and Responsibilities. Interviews alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, family members, providers and other collaterals as required.
• Provides Case Work activities for clients and families: assesses client needs, develops a case plan and links clients to resources. Monitors the resources/interventions put in place to ensure needs are being met.
• Provides follow-up activities on a monthly basis which includes coordinating care/services for the client, evaluating if current services are sufficient and assessing the risk for future abuse, neglect, abandonment, financial exploitation or self-neglect issues.
• Completes the paperwork required by the IDoA Adult Protective Services program accurately and in a timely manner.
• Negotiates difficult family situations using a variety of interview/assessment skills and involves the APS Supervisor or Lead Caseworker when appropriate.
• Utilizes the court system for judicial procedures such as Orders of Protection, Evictions, Guardianships or the like. Prepares the case and oneself to testify in court as necessary.
• Coordinates with Waiver services such as Aging, DHS/DRS, DHS/DDD, MCO and the like per IDoA policies.
• Participates in monthly M-Team meetings by presenting a case when scheduled to do so, offering constructive input to the group and incorporating recommendations in the Client’s case plan when appropriate. In addition, the APS Caseworker will take minutes when assigned and turn these in to the APS Supervisor or other designated staff within two weeks after the meeting.
• Participates in Staff meetings: monthly APS meetings, monthly Older Adult Services all-dept meetings, as well as all-agency meetings, offering constructive input when appropriate.
• Participates in IDoA and Mercyhealth required activities.
• Completes annual required educational requirements for both IDoA/APS and Mercyhealth.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree in health or human services, social work, health care administration, gerontology, criminal justice, or nursing.

OR

An associate degree from an accredited program in health, nursing, social services, social work, health care administration, gerontology, disability studies, criminal justice or public administration and four years' experience in health or human services.

OR

An active licensed practical nurse license, with one year experience in health or human services

OR

Four years' experience with law enforcement or criminal investigation

OR

An approved waiver of educational requirements for intake workers and case aides through the IDoA

AND

Minimum three years of experience with assessment of needs for older adults (60+years) or those 18-59 who have a disability, preferred.

The ability to negotiate difficult family situations using a variety of interview/assessment skills preferred.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE

Must attend Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) Adult Protective Services Caseworker Certification Trainings Phase I, Simulation Training and Phase II and pass the test, as well as any other mandatory training as required by IDoA.

Current CPR certification; or obtain through Mercyhealth within 6 months of hire.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Must be able to speak and write the English language proficiently

Must be able to follow written/oral instructions

LEVEL OF SUPERVISION

N/A

PAY RANGE

$19.53 - $31.24

Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Disability Insurance
• FSA/HSA Options
• Generous, accruing paid time off
• Paid Parental and caregiver leave
• Career advancement and educational opportunities
• Tuition and certification reimbursement
• Certification Reimbursement
• Well-being Programs
• Employee Discounts
• On-Demand Pay
• Financial Education
• Annual recognition/awards events
• Partner appreciation days
• Family entertainment/attractions discount
• Community service/improvement opportunities

At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including:

• #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50
• One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers
• A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women