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Wilson County Government seeks a Social Counselor 2 for the Wilson and Trousdale County Health Departments. This full-time, on-site county position reports to the Social Counselor Supervisor, Whitney Cook, and offers opportunities to engage in professional social counseling and service coordination.
The role includes interviewing clients, coordinating services, conducting home visits when needed, documenting progress, and supporting public health initiatives across counties.
*Following Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-4-105(a)(3), the Governor has designated that the Columbus Day holiday shall be substituted for the Friday after Thanksgiving.
**The Governor approved an added day of State office closure in addition to the official State holiday.
We follow all state holidays, not county holidays, and in the event of inclement weather, the county mayor is the only authorized person to close our health department or to adjust our hours of operation.
Under general supervision, is responsible for professional social counseling work and/or service coordination of average difficulty; and performs related work as required by department.
An employee in this class interviews and provides social counseling for clients in programs such as adult protective services and maternal and child health counseling, as well as individuals with disabilities in an educational, social service, or medical setting.
Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree AND one year of professional experience in one or a combination of the following: health care for children, adolescent, or geriatric populations; social work; or social or psychological counseling, including, but not limited to, mental health, correctional, or behavioral rehabilitation counseling; or one year of experience in early intervention and/or service coordination with individuals with disabilities in an educational, social services or medical setting; or one year of teaching early childhood education or assessing individuals with disabilities.,
Additional qualifying graduate course work from an accredited college or university in a related field may be substituted for the experience, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of one year.
Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class may be required to: Possess a valid driver’s license if driving is an essential function of the position; Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority; Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority; Supply a fingerprint sample prescribed by the TBI based criminal history records check; Submit to a review of their status on the Department of Health’s vulnerable persons registry.
Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.
Investigates and/or reports abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults and/or children who are mentally or physically impaired, or incapable of self-care due to disability or age to determine if there is a need for protective services. Conducts pre-assessment/developmental screening to determine needs, strengths, and/or level of risk for client. Asks client, family members, neighbors, alleged perpetrators, or other involved parties questions that relate to the allegations in order to gather case information and determine causes of current situation as appropriate for specific agency functions.
Identifies potential risk factors such as unsanitary living conditions, lack of utilities, any form of abuse, neglect, exploitation or self-neglect in the client’s home environment, as appropriate, for specific agency functions.
Refers and/or coordinates services for clients which may reduce client risk, increase autonomy and/or demonstrate educational progress. Responds to clients, collaterals, stakeholders, or caregivers according to department policy. Responds to professional or public casework inquiries through telephone calls, e-mails, letters, and face-to-face visits. Testifies or provides necessary documents in legal proceedings. Gives presentations for public awareness and/or child find activities, as appropriate, for agency functions.
Records in client files and computer databases the services implemented, observations made during home visits, changes that occurred related to progress noted or reduced risk, and the level of function/protection achieved for each client. Records information regarding client-oriented contacts including the date, method, purpose and outcome of the contact, and the level of client progress in meeting the goals or objectives in the service plan. Maintains a copy of all relevant records and service plans for clients.
Analyzes and reviews all information gathered about the client situation to prioritize risk and implement appropriate plan per agency standards. Collects and analyzes data from standardized evaluation tools to determine if client meets agency eligibility guidelines.
Implements a service plan that identifies goals for addressing needs or concerns of the clients. Coordinates delivery of services for individual needs of clients. Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Prioritizes needs or concerns of the client/ family (i.e. electricity, food, medical, educational, etc.). Coordinates and conducts meetings with appropriate personnel to develop a safety and/or transition plan for clients as appropriate for agency standards.
Develops a service plan to address the needs of the clients who are victims of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation and/or children with special needs. Scheduling
Schedules all necessary activities within agency timelines to meet policy objectives.
Brainstorms solutions for concerns and/or priorities as related to the client by participating as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
Discusses situations with the client, family members, caregivers, collaterals and/or stakeholders to decide what resources or actions are needed to reduce risk, facilitate change and/or demonstrate educational progress.
Uses appropriate audio-visual equipment, as needed, to assess and/or implement client services.
Drives vehicle to conduct agency business.
Educates government departments, local regional agencies, law enforcement, nursing home staff, and the general public about agency programs.
Wilson County, Tennessee, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.