Social Worker

POSITION
The Social Worker is responsible for assisting clients to overcome personnel and societal obstacles by providing support, resources, and advocacy while maintaining compliance with all policies and procedures. Works under the supervision of the Public Health Administrator and/or their designee. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provide direct client care through support, and advocacy either individually or within a group setting.
• Assess individual holistic needs, including psychological, social, environmental, nutritional, family, and personal.
• Assist individuals in maintaining/improving their health through gaining access to resources and confronting issues that negatively affect their living.
• Act as a coach to assist patients with ongoing health conditions.
• Maintain patient records utilizing software applications, computer systems, and/or written notes according to program and best practice standards.
• Plan and oversee the implementation of chart audits.
• Use critical thinking skills to coordinate appropriate care plans and to direct critical interventions and / or referrals.
• Maintain a thorough and current knowledge of the principles and practices of social work applicable to the areas of assessment, promotion, and maintenance of the health of at-risk individuals, families, and the community.
• Maintain a thorough and current knowledge of standard of care, assessment practices, protocols, and equipment.
• Provide input at case conferences, evaluations, planning committees, and outreach activities.
• Participate in peer review activities and evaluation of program effectiveness.
• Manage assigned grants and / or contracts, ensure that objectives and deliverables are met, reports are completed on time, and resubmit grant applications as applicable.
• Have working knowledge of the organizational budget.
• Collaborate effectively with agency administration to provide services for community intervention.
• Comprehensive understanding and ability to implement the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) worksite components.
• Maintain a consistent and reliable attendance record.

ASSOCIATED DUTIES

• Perform other duties as assigned or required.
• Participate in team and general staff meetings.
• Acts as a first responder in a natural disaster or any public health, chemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological event.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Qualified applicants will possess a bachelor’s degree in social work or higher from an accredited program and have obtained a state Licensed Social Worker (LSW) to practice. The accredited program shall be in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or other related specialty and credentialed from the State of Wisconsin.
• A minimum of three (3) years of employment in the field of behavioral health is preferred with demonstrated expertise in all requisite areas including clinical operations, knowledge of reimbursement regulations, mental health regulatory compliance that governs non-profit organizations and community health care.
• Must have a State of Wisconsin License in Social Work, which must be maintained for the duration of employment.
• A valid Wisconsin driver’s license and reliable motor vehicle with mandatory levels of insurance coverage.
• Current CPR/AED/First Aid Certification or the ability to obtain such certification within six months of hire. Certifications must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Preference will be shown to candidates who demonstrates the following:

• Three (3) years’ work experience with a governmental public health agency.
• Bilingual proficiency (Spanish/English).
• Experience working with various racial and ethnic groups.
• Enhanced familiarity/experience with statistical theory/methods.
• Experience in public speaking with the ability to present data and other program materials in Microsoft PowerPoint.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of community systems, ability to initiate referrals to community health care providers, social service, and advocacy agencies, and the ability to effectively refer clients as needed.
• Knowledge of HIPAA compliance standards and all aspects of client privacy practices.
• Knowledge/experience evaluating health trends and risk factors of target populations.
• Ability to establish professional relationships with clients, peers, supervisors, and community organization members.
• Personal initiative combined with the ability to work independently and interdependently.
• Substantial working knowledge of and experience with current Microsoft Office suite or newer (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Publisher), desktop publishing, and the internet, combined with the ability to pass all required skills tests.
• Previous experience working with large/specialized databases and preparing data for analysis.
• Ability to analyze data and/or manipulate data in Microsoft Excel and/or applicable databases using established criteria to determine significance and assess outcomes.  Must be able to compare, count, measure, copy, compute, tabulate, and categorize data combined with the ability to pass all required skills tests.
• Ability to effectively acquire and utilize scientific/client data obtained from a variety of sources including patient records, lab reports, physician orders, maps, flow charts, and statistical reports.
• Ability to comprehend, utilize, and implement information from a variety of sources including personnel policies, employee performance evaluations, time study sheets, policy documents, nursing procedure manuals, scientific medical textbooks, and computer software operating manuals.
• Proficient oral/written English language skills, including proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar with the ability to pass required skill tests.
• Effective oral and written communication skills at all levels of responsibility including clients and their families, physicians, local, state, and federal personnel, pharmacists, hospital, and jail personnel.
• Ability to assist in the development, submission, and implementation of successful grant proposals.
• Ability to interpret, regulate, and enforce state/local/federal laws, regulations, and rules.
• Ability to effectively train and coordinate activities of interns and visiting students.

PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• Standing, walking, sitting, and stooping.
• Kneeling, crouching, climbing, balancing, and bending/twisting.
• Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling (up to 35 lbs.).
• Handling, grasping, fingering, filing, typing, and writing.

 
ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS
Office and a wide variety of indoor environments.   Day, evening, and weekend hours.

EQUIPMENT
Effective utilization of computer workstations and associated equipment, copy center, fax machine, multi-line telephone system, cellular telephone, typewriter, flashlight, digital / video camera, audio / visual and miscellaneous office / medical / inspection / laboratory equipment.