Social Work Case Manager - MNChoice

Job Summary

This position performs highly responsible and professional level social work involving assessment, support planning, and eligibility determination for publicly funded long-term care services and support programs for seniors and persons with disabilities. Work is performed in an office, institution, home, or community-based setting.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Utilizing the MnCHOICES Assessment tool, created by the MN Department of Human Services, conducts a holistic assessment of client/family that includes the health, psychological, functional, environmental, and social needs in a culturally sensitive manner by using independent social work assessment skills and professional judgement.
• Identifies the health and safety issues of clients and the impacts on the clients, as well as on their family members or other community members.
• Identifies clients' strengths, needs, motivations, and capacities for change.
• Analyzes assessment data and assists applicants in identifying relevant goals along with specific supports that will enhance clients’ abilities to meet goals and live in the least restrictive environment.
• Determines applicants’ risk of institutional care and their level of care according to state and federal criteria.
• Determines eligibility for home and community-based programs (AC, BI, CAC, CADI, DD, EW waivers, SILS, FSG, CSG, Voucher Respite and PCA) base on individualized client needs and wants.
• Develops and implements social work intervention plans based on diagnosis to ensure achievement to timely client outcomes.
• Provides consultation and education on individual, and community levels through direct client service, collaboration with other providers, and by participating in meetings/task forces, to plan for and ensure service coordination with community agencies.
• Implements public health emergency response functions as trained and assigned within the federal, state, and county’s emergency response plans.
• Analyzes and interprets diagnostic evaluations, medical information, and assessment results enable to determine program eligibility and support decision making.
• Communicates state and federal program requirements, eligibility results and availability of services to clients, their family members, legal representative, community members, and service providers.
• Provides services for clients in a trusting and therapeutic manner, performing functions required by
• federal and state laws and rules.
• Provides intake and/or assessment services to evaluate, plan, and implement services for clients.
• Works in partnership with individuals or families to develop individualized/comprehensive case plans; coordinates and directs service to assure implementation of plans.
• Ensures the safety of clients through the development of support plans, safety plans, and back-up plans; assists in times of crisis to influence positive outcomes.
• Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, and collaborates with other professionals and organizations to provide for and promote the social status of long-term care and developmental disabilities populations.
• Regularly drives a vehicle to transport self to activities or appointments as the needs of service dictate.
• Provides education, skill development, problem-solving, and support to clients and their families to empower and enable them to live independently; advocates for clients to maintain quality services and programs.
• Flexibility in scheduling may be required to meet the needs of the clients.
• Performs professional level social work/nursing creating rapport, trusting, helpful, and empowering relationships with clients to assist individuals in success with decision-making and self-determination.
• Responsible for supporting an inclusive environment focused on equitable outcomes.
• Prepares and distributes detailed written reports/assessment summaries outlining plans developed as the result of conferences.
• Collaborates with Child Protection Workers in the development of safety plans to address the safety needs of children in current child protection/child welfare cases as requested.
• Maintains working knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations and performs work accordingly.
• Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals. 
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires the equivalency of a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in any field, with at least two years of experience as a social worker in a public or private social services agency.

Per Mn Statute 256B.0911. subd 3a:
Certification as a MnCHOICES assessor by the state of Minnesota before or shortly after being hired.
Meet the criteria of a Qualified Developmental Disability Professional (QDDP) – for people determining eligibility for Rule 185 case management services.
Maintain Certified Assessor certification every 3 years
As part of the assessor recertification process, acquire 45 continuing learning units (CLSs) during the certification process. Twelve of these CLUs must be related to person-centered practices
Strong preference for experience within specific program area, bilingual abilities are desirable. Must possess a valid driver's license and provide a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under general guidance and direction from the Social Work Supervisor. Work is performed according to established professional guidelines and procedures as well as standards and procedures which are determined by county, state, or federal regulations. The employee exercises considerable independent judgment in implementing new work methods and procedures. The work is reviewed through case record reviews, peer reviews, case consultations, community or system wide initiatives, and possible co-visits with supervisor. Work may be reviewed by the Adult Services Manager for overall standard of performance. Lead Agency reviews every 3 years by DHS.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

• Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.
• Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.
• Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.
• Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.
• Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.
• Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.
• Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of social work in the areas specific to the job.
• Knowledge of agency programs, operations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge and understanding of and respect for the diversity or customers, co-workers, and supervisors, including individuals with a disability or whose first language may be other than English.
• Knowledge and understanding of human behavior, cultural diversities, and language barriers to ensure equitable service delivery.
• Ability to operate office equipment related to the job and ability to train staff in its use when necessary.
• Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workforce.
• Demonstrate knowledge of conversational interviewing techniques and skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge of person-centered planning principles and practices and incorporate them into assessment and support plan development.
• Ability to prioritize, assess, and manage cases/assessment workload.
• Ability to communicate effectively via written documentation, in person, virtually, or over the telephone.
• Ability to be flexible in scheduling may be required to meet the service needs of the clients.
• Ability to analyze medically complex case situations to evaluate the needs for support services.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in making decisions and determining when additional case review or action is needed.
• Ability to follow complex verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to deal tactfully and efficiently with all levels of management, co-workers, and the general public.
• Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.
• Ability to use MS Office software, technology and applications needed for the performance of essential duties.
• Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, occurring both in an office and in the field within clients' places of residence, work, or other non-county location. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing the needs/demands of multiple clients. Incumbent may be exposed to various atmospheric conditions such as bed bugs, lice, fleas, bodily fluids, odors, dusts, pets, poor ventilation, fumes, etc. when working in clients' residences. Incumbent may be exposed to uncooperative, angry, sometimes hostile and socially inappropriate clients. Some evening or weekend hours may be required.

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.