DSHS HCLA Social Service Specialist 3

State of Washington; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Home and Community Living Administration in Tacoma, seeks a Social Service Specialist 3 to assess clients’ level of care and manage comprehensive care plans. The role emphasizes in-home assessments, client advocacy, and collaboration with families and facilities to support community living.

Candidates should demonstrate strong communication, organization, and independence, with knowledge of applicable DSHS policies.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.
• Ability to prioritize and organize workload according to policy and timeframes.
• Ability to work independently and manage cases.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, and policies relevant to DSHS.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and complete face-to-face comprehensive assessments and reassessments in various settings using a state-provided system.
• Provide case management services and make referrals to community resources.
• Consult and staff cases with supervisor and coordinate with families, facilities and other offices.
• Prepare care documents, drafts letters, and respond to administrative requests.
• Refer to Nurse Consultant on Skin Observation Protocols and consult on complex medical issues.
• Advocate for clients and coordinate with stakeholders to address needs.
• Participate in case staffing meetings and team coordination.

Job description

DSHS HCLA – Social Service Specialist 3

The Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) is hiring for a dedicated Social Service Specialist to join our team in Tacoma, WA.

This role supports functions independently and assures that clients receive appropriate quality services that meet their individual needs and recognizes their capabilities and choices through timely and responsive assessment, service delivery and reassessment and case management. This position plans, promotes, develops and provides long-term care services that are responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities and the elderly with priority attention to low-income individuals and families.

This position conducts face to face comprehensive assessment and reassessments at the client’s residence (in-home, hospital, nursing home, residential facility etc.) using a laptop computer to determine clients’ level of care, including determining nursing facility level of care needs. This position develops initial and on-going care plans that provide the support necessary to allow clients to remain in or return to their community. This position assesses and provides case management to adults at high risk of institutionalization or to those adults whose need for case management is part of a service plan developed following an adult protective service investigation.

Some of what you'll do:

• Conduct and complete face-to-face comprehensive assessments and reassessments of the clients in various settings, including private homes, adult family homes, hospitals, or other facilities, using a state-provided computerized system
• Provide case management services to clients meeting criteria set forth in Aging & Disability Services Long Term Care manuals and policies
• Make referrals to other community resources
• Consult and staff cases with supervisor
• File care documents, draft letters and respond to administrative request for reports or constituent responses
• Refer to the Community Nurse Consultant on Skin Observation Protocols (SPO's) and Critical indicators when triggered, as per ADSA protocol. Consult with nurse as needed on complex medical issues/terminology
• Provide client advocacy as well as consultation, networking, family support and crisis intervention. Coordinate with families, facilities, local office staff and other regional offices and community agencies regarding the needs of clients served
• Take part in case staffing meetings; including A-Team and case coordination meetings which may include internal and external stakeholders
• Other duties as assigned

What we're looking for:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to work effectively with clients, peers, management, the public, and interpreters
• Ability to prioritize and organize workload according to office policy, timeframes, and workload expectations
• Ability to reprioritize assignments as necessary to meet emergencies and/or provide unit coverage
• Skill and ability to independently resolve complaints, inquiries and client/customer service problems while maintaining appropriate confidentiality
• Skill and ability to provide agency interpretation of laws, regulations, and processes
• Possess word processing and data input (keyboarding) skills, with the ability to use various computer software applications and learn new programs
• Skill and ability to operate various office equipment/machines (fax, keyboard, scanner, printer, etc.) and perform a variety of clerical tasks/duties
• Ability to work independently and make independent decisions
• Ability to learn or possess knowledge of DSHS policies, rules and laws

Who should apply?

We are looking for professionals with:

One year as a Social Service Specialist 2

OR

A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field and one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2

OR

A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field, and two years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

NOTE: A two year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum will be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.

NOTE: Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within eighteen months of their appointment.

NOTE: Paid Social Service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and/or adults and providing direct family-centered practice services.

Equivalent education/experience.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nebotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security