Social Worker - Disability Services

Blue-Earth-County; Mankato (MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Earth County Human Services is seeking a Social Worker – Disability Services to review MnChoices assessments, develop and implement support plans, and authorize client services. The role emphasizes case management, interdisciplinary teamwork, and community engagement to help individuals with disabilities access necessary services.

Responsibilities include maintaining case files, coordinating team meetings, monitoring services, and advocating for clients to ensure health, safety, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, special education, or related field.
• At least 2 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Reviews MnChoices assessments to determine services and develops person-centered support plans.
• Authorizes client services and negotiates funding within guidelines.
• Maintains and documents case notes and coordinates interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Advocates for clients and assists with guardianship matters as needed.
• Participates in community relations and informs the public about programs.

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, special education, or a related field

Master's degree in social work

Job description

Under general supervision of the Human Services Supervisor - Adult & Disability Services, this position supports the mission of Blue Earth County Human Services by effectively and efficiently delivering essential services to families and individuals so they can achieve their potential through active community participation. The Social Worker – Disability Services will review MnChoices assessments, initiate interdisciplinary team processes, develop and implement support plans, initiate and develop services, and authorize client services. This position will focus on case management, participate in community relations and customer service activities, manage case files and participate in professional staff development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Plans, initiates and develops services. Reviews MnChoices assessments to determine appropriate services based on the individual’s needs and preferences. Develops person-centered support plans with the person, parents or legal representative. Obtains appropriate authorizations. Refers to providers for services and arranges interviews and visits to complete referral materials. Sends completed support plan to interdisciplinary team members. Provides oversight to other team members and ensures assigned responsibilities related to the support plan area completed. Ensures completion of risk management plan based on individual’s vulnerabilities and planned interventions to minimize risks. Applies for, evaluates and completes reports for any special funding for services or equipment.
2. Authorizes client services. Determines costs and availability of clients’ services. Seeks out funding sources, reviews budgets and initiates contracts. Negotiates funding issues and ensures service expectations and funding are consistent. Completes service authorizations/agreements. Develops individualized budgets with input from consumer, family and legal representatives. Authorizes services within funding guidelines.
3. Maintains ongoing cases. Maintains consumer files by completing case note activity, prepares necessary correspondence, communicates with and between interdisciplinary team members and mediates conflicts. Arranges, attends and chairs the interdisciplinary annual, semi-annual and operational team meetings.
4. Monitors client services. Monitors on-going residential and vocational sites and services. Revised support plan. Ensures health and safety needs are met. Monitors guardianship. Monitors budgets and contracts. Reviews provider reports and data to ensure services meet expectations and following support plan guidelines. Maintain intra-agency contracts with financial workers and accounting. Corrects deficiencies and citations. Participates in appeals process.
5. Advocates for clients. Encourages and empowers the person to make informed choices. Provides information to allow for informed decision making. Promotes health, safety, well-being and independence.
6. Provides information and assistance with public and private guardianship. Attends guardianship review team meetings to consult on cases as needed. Writes petitions to initiate, modify and/or discharge guardianship. Attends and testifies at hearings. Prepares related documents.
7. Provides credible testimony in court. Attends and testifies in court proceedings. Represents the interests of the county, state, and federal government. Makes a verbal account for observations, actions, and findings while performing official duties.
8. Participates in community relations and customer services activities.Attends committee meetings, work groups and task forces.Participates in interagency screening teams and makes referrals.Provides community education to the general public on programs and services.Facilitates person-centered planning process as requested.Interacts and communicates with court representatives, general public, advocates, families, organizations, agencies, supervisor and co-workers.
9. Promotes a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
10. Engages positively with both internal and external customers. Communicates and interacts effectively and respectfully with colleagues, supervisors, representatives from other organizations, and the public.
11. Performs the physical and mental demands of the position.
12. Attends work during regularly scheduled hours.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

1. Manages case file.Files documents in designated sections.Reviews for necessary documents.Discards unnecessary information per state and county policy.Communicates information to appropriate people.
2. Provides on-call services. Answers phone calls, follow-up as needed, at home and responds to calls after hours. Document the calls and makes appropriate referrals.
3. Participates in professional staff development. Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency. Attends and participates in professional organizations. Associates with employees and departments from other counties and states for collaboration.
4. Performs other related functions as apparent or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, special education, or a related field; and
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with individuals with disabilities

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in social work
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience providing direct care to individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities in a residential or vocational setting
• Experience working as a county case manager serving individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities
• Proficient in understanding and speaking languages other than English, such as Spanish, Somali, Chinese, Sudanese, and Arabic, among others.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license to drive in the State of Minnesota, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel to client homes and community locations as required.
• Must comply with all federal and state laws and organizational and departmental policies and regulations.
• Must adhere to data practices policies and standards regarding non-public data. Access to non-public data should be strictly limited to what is necessary to fulfill job responsibilities. While accessing these data, the employee should take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access by individuals without a work-related reason. Once the work-related purpose is complete, non-public data must be securely stored in accordance with county policies and Minnesota Statutes.

Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position allows for flexible hours and may require some evening, weekend and overtime hours.