SOCIAL WORKER

La Crosse County; West Salem (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Accommodation assistance

Job summary

La Crosse County is seeking a professional Social Worker for our Lakeview Health Center & Assisted Living in West Salem, WI. The role supports residents with psycho-social needs, develops care plans, and coordinates services within established guidelines.

The position emphasizes resident rights, family communication, and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team to improve quality of life for residents and their families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work required.
• One year of experience working with elderly, mentally ill or developmentally disabled preferred.
• Must have or obtain Wisconsin Social Worker certification within 24 months.

Responsibilities

• Investigates all allegations of misconduct and documents results.
• Provides training and information to community and staff as assigned.
• Engages with residents to determine and provide psycho-social adjustment needs.
• Prepares individualized resident care plans with inter-disciplinary team.
• Coordinates discharge planning and links residents with appropriate services.
• Maintains resident rights and confidentiality of resident information.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Organization

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work

Job description

Welcome to La Crosse County — Where Your Work Truly Matters

Every day, our unique teams contribute to our vision of a community that is vibrant, safe, and resilient. Whether you're supporting families, safeguarding natural resources, maintaining infrastructure, or delivering essential services, your work here creates real impact for the people who live, work, and visit our county.

What You’ll Gain by Joining Us

• A Future You Can Count On: Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), one of the most respected pension programs in the nation.
• Reliable, Affordable Coverage: Countywide insurance plans plus growing access to local, no-cost care options for everyday health needs.
• Time Off That Works For You: You’ll have two dedicated banks of vacation and sick time, giving you the freedom to plan real downtime when you need it—and the peace of mind to take care of yourself when you’re under the weather.

• Start earning vacation and sick time your very first day
• Bank up to 2× your annual vacation accrual
• Build up to 150 sick days as a full time employee

A Place Where Everyone Belongs

We believe our workforce should reflect the community we serve. We’re committed to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging—because diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes for everyone.

Overview

(FLSA: Exempt) This is a professional Social Worker position at our Lakeview Health Center & Assisted Living facility located in West Salem, WI. with core hours Monday - Friday primarily 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. The Social Worker provides medically related social services established by federal, state and local regulations, and facility policies and procedures. Employees operate within established federal, state, and facility guidelines and policies and exercise considerable independent judgment within those parameters. Employees are selected and report to the Long Term Care Services Manager.

Advocates for resident’s rights to ensure quality of life in the least restrictive environment. Promotes culture change within nursing home environment to preserve and enhance quality of life for residents. Provides necessary assessment, treatment and supportive care to assist residents and families with resident care and psychosocial issues. Reviews referrals and makes recommendation for placement based on identified needs. Makes individualized referrals as needed. Prepares and documents social histories and comprehensive assessment to identify resident strengths and needs.

Essential Leadership Functions

Act with Integrity and Build Trust

• Demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty in all interactions
• Speak up appropriately, even when expressing unpopular viewpoints
• Actively listen and remain open-minded to diverse perspectives

Drive for Results

• Set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others to achieve outcomes
• Seek new opportunities to improve processes and drive sustainable results
• Hold self and others accountable through consistent evaluation and monitoring

Develop Talent and Effective Teams

• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and growth
• Provide mentorship and support to help self and others reach full potential
• Recognize and leverage diverse strengths within self and team

Lead with Vision and Strategy

• Understand and communicate a compelling vision that aligns with organizational goals
• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long‑term objectives
• Connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring self and others to contribute meaningfully

Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking

• Navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives
• Adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties in the work environment
• Make critical decisions using analytical skills, experience, and input from others

Build and Maintain Effective Relationships

• Communicate and collaborate effective with stakeholders across the organization
• Influence others through coaching, consulting, and team‑mind‑thinking
• Develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders

Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service

• Understand and address the needs and concerns of the community
• Incorporate community perspectives in decision‑making processes
• Drive initiatives that create positive impacts beyond the organization

Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence

• Show self‑awareness and manage emotions effectively in challenging situations
• Seek and respond constructively to feedback, even in the face of setbacks
• Balance empathy with accountability when leading self and working with others

Essential Job Functions

• Investigates all allegations of misconduct including abuse, neglect, misappropriation and injuries of unknown origin, as assigned. Review results with administration and provides resolution to complainant within established timeframe.
• Provides training and information to community, as assigned.
• Provides support and training to staff as assigned.
• Engages with residents to determine and provide psycho‑social adjustment needs.
• Prepares individualized resident care plans in conjunction with inter‑disciplinary team.
• Provides information to residents and families related to legal decision making.
• Provides information and assistance to families and residents regarding resident personal finances, insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other services and assist in coordinating application process.
• Coordinates resident discharging planning, which may include contacts with prospective service providers, set up of transportation and other services as needed.
• Communicates with resident representatives case managers Counties Managed Care Organizations ombudsman and other community agencies to assure resident needs are met.
• Develops individualized behavior plans and coordinates crisis intervention with county and managed care organizations.
• Documents in resident record psycho‑social progress notes, social history and assessment.
• Assists in scheduling care conference meetings.
• Coordinates purchases of resident personal items, as requested.
• Coordinates completion of informed consents for anti‑psychotic medication for residents.
• Conducts discharge satisfaction summary interviews/phone calls, as required. Provides support to person centered care initiative.
• Conducts pre‑admission screens.
• Represents long term care initiatives on a variety of internal and external teams.
• Develops social services policies in cooperation with Administrations and the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Communicates Medicare/Medicaid guidelines and issues denial notices as appropriate.
• Thoroughly evaluates referrals to determine the facility's ability to manage care. Coordinates initial insurance coverage for new residents with continued updates as needed.
• Develops and maintains positive working relations within the community, including hospitals, home health agencies, etc.
• Maintains resident rights and confidentiality of resident information. Acts as resident rights advocate and aids in navigating ethical dilemmas and decisions.
• Supports all aspects of person‑centered care. Respects and acknowledges individuality and uniqueness of residents.
• In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials.
• Maintains residents' rights and confidentiality of resident information; reports all suspected cases of resident abuse to the Administrator.
• Works safely and follows safety practices and standards of the facility; responsible for reporting or correcting any existing or potential safety or accident hazard.
• Employee is expected to report to work when scheduled, with minimum use of sick leave, to build up sick leave balance for income protection for unexpected illness.
• Physical demands: Large percentage of time is spent moving throughout facility communicating with residents, staff and families using talking, hearing, judgment, near vision, reading and writing. Stands, bends, lifts and moves throughout the day. Lesser amount of time is spent traveling to other referral sites and performing other functions. Uses automobile, telephones and computers.

Related Job Functions

Testifies in court cases regarding residents.

May accompany or transport residents to appointments.

May coordinate functions in community and other settings as assigned.

This job description is not intended to encompass every activity, job or responsibility, but is only illustrative. This position is required to perform other duties as may be assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Basic understanding of the established theories of human development and behavior.

Knowledge of socio-economic conditions and related family dynamics.

Considerable knowledge of social work standards as set forth under HFS-132 and Federal rules and Medicare/Medicaid regulations and legal issues pertaining to care and treatment of persons residing in nursing homes.

Familiarity with various community resources available.

Ability to: Relate to residents in emphatic manner; plan and organize work; communicate effectively to residents, resident's families, medical professionals, employees, and public officials; prepare and maintain necessary reports and records, and to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Training, Experience and Other Requirements

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Social Work (or related college degree such as Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice or Human Service Degree accepted by the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing).

One year experience work with the elderly, mentally ill or developmentally disabled.

Preference for long-term care experience.

May consider other relevant combination of education and experience that provide equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.

When driving vehicle on the job, requires valid driver's license and good driving record.

Must successfully complete criminal record check as required by the Wisconsin Caregiver Law.

Requires certification by the State of Wisconsin as a Social Worker. If not certified at the time of application for employment with La Crosse County, must have a temporary permit and the ability to become certified within 24 months of employment. (To be certification eligible: must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, sociology, criminal justice, or a human services degree accepted by the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing. To be certified: must successfully complete both federal and state examinations.)

Equal Opportunity Employer

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve.

Need an Accommodation?

If you require a disability‑related accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, reach out to Human Resources at [e-mail] — we're here to help.