Social Worker

Under the supervision of the Specialized Health and Social Services (SHSS) program supervisor, performs complex and comprehensive public health social work and case management (CM) services for children with special health care needs and their families, high-risk pregnant women, and the general public. Basic CM duties for all program areas include: conducting home visits and visits to other community settings as appropriate to comprehensively assess client and family’s unmet social needs; completing intake, Family Needs Assessment (FNA), individualized service plan, and other relevant assessment forms; collaborating with medical providers, community partners, and other state agencies to address needs; monitoring and following up on cases to confirm progress; and maintaining current and accurate documentation of all contacts/case activities in case files and appropriate database systems according to program policies and applicable state and federal laws. Additional duties include: conducting presentations and attending community events to educate the public about available CM services; providing training, consultation, and technical assistance to program contractors and providers; and completing program reports and projects as assigned. May supervise interns, train peers, and participate in quality assurance reviews. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs other duties as assigned. Member of the Incident Command Structure (ICS) in response to public health emergencies. Must comply with HHS, DSHS, and Texas Department of Public Safety applicable policies/procedures/standards.

Essential Job Functions

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

In addition to performing basic CM duties, performs the following program area-specific CM duties:

Children and Pregnant Women: assists clients and families with accessing necessary resources and community services and supports (i.e. Medicaid benefits and waiver programs, Women Infants and Children [WIC], Early Childhood Intervention [ECI], special education services, Supplemental Security Income [SSI] benefits, medical transportation, housing assistance, mental health services, medical and dental care, transitional services for children aging out of pediatric care); attends Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings to address unmet educational needs. (20%)

Personal Care Services (PCS) and Community First Choice (CFC): conducts functional needs assessments for the PCS and CFC programs; educates clients regarding benefits and limitations of PCS and CFC; completes the Personal Care Assessment Form (PCAF) and CFC addendum. (20%)

Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program (CSHCN-SP): assists eligible clients and families with locating or recruiting CSHCN-SP providers; locates alternate healthcare resources for waitlisted CSHCN-SP clients and families; facilitates completion of CSHCN-SP and/or emergency Medicaid applications to secure benefits. (20%)

Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance pilot project: completes BDES evaluation form with clients and families; enters data into appropriate database within designated timeframes. (5%)

Safe Sleep Ambassador: educate clients regarding safe sleep practices; deliver cribette and demonstrate proper usage; provide follow up CM. (5%)

Newborn Screening: educates clients regarding abnormal newborn screening results to facilitate understanding and appropriate medical intervention. (5%)

Other case management duties as assigned. (5%)

Conducts presentations and attends community events to educate the public about available services. Provides training, consultation, and technical assistance to program contractors and providers. Actively participates in community organization functions and collaborates with other community entities to improve the health and well-being of the community. Represents DSHS at Community Resources Coordination Group (CRCG), coalitions, or other relevant community meetings to address community service needs. Serves as regional expert on Medicaid services for children and high-risk pregnant women. May supervise interns, train peers, and participate in quality assurance reviews. (10%)

Performs other duties as assigned. Attends trainings relevant to licensure requirement and continued development of professional social work knowledge and skills. Participates in the performance evaluation process. Duties include, but are not limited to, being required to work other than normal business hours in order to respond to public health emergencies and actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response/recovery/Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation–requires completion of at least ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800 and may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Maintains compliance with DSHS Policy, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and Standards, and a current valid Texas Driver’s License. Maintains compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy: required serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, and annual vaccination against influenza (and hepatitis B if applicable). Participates in regional assignments/duties/special initiatives. (10%)

Knowledge Skills Abilities

Knowledge of: social work and case management principles and best practices; children’s programs such as Medicaid, CSHCN, CPW, CPS/Foster Care, SSI, NBS, NBHS, Lead, Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), and CHIP; quality assurance and technical assistance policies and procedures; community resources on a local, state and national level; cultural and socioeconomic issues related to health and disabilities.

Skill in: use of electronic mail, internet, databases, and Microsoft Office products; conducting telephonic and in-home intake and family needs assessments; developing service plans; conflict resolution, mediation, and problem solving; planning, prioritizing, and organizing workload; providing training and technical assistance to professionals; effective decision making.

Ability to: communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; thoroughly assess, analyze, summarize, and evaluate clients’ complex educational, biological, psychological, and social needs; establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff in an interdisciplinary setting; interpret and apply program policies and procedures; submit timely work activity, travel, and time reports; maintain confidentiality; plan and manage multiple workloads and assignments to meet deadlines; follow DSHS and HHS Policies and Procedures; adhere to HHS Work Rules and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics; provide own transportation to perform work duties; ability to move up to 30 pounds to deliver client goods.

Registration Or Licensure Requirements

• Current, unrestricted social work license issued by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners
• Valid Class C Texas Driver’s License

Initial Selection Criteria

• Ability to meet minimum required percent of travel
• Experience providing medical social services to children, adults, and/or families with special health care needs (preferred)

Additional Information

Requisition Number 515262

In order to be considered for an interview, applications must clearly reflect that the candidate possesses the appropriate licensure and meets all initial selection criteria. Applications should include both formal employment history and informal work experience such as social work field placements, internships, volunteer work, or any other experience relevant to the position.

Selection and ongoing employment is contingent upon adherence to DSHS Immunization Policy.

This position requires travel within all 49 counties covered by PHR 2/3. Employee must provide transportation for home visits, field office visits, and attendance at community meetings. Safe operation of either a state owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and Standards.

This position may require working hours other than 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m, Monday through Friday to respond to regional public health emergencies such as disease outbreaks, biological, environmental, and weather emergencies. This may include (but is not limited to): prevention, surveillance, and control and may involve on-call 24-hour work for emergency situations.

Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to: 68X, 67D, 73A, HM, 230X, 0149, 42SX. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.

MOS Code

68X, 67D, 73A, HM, 230X, 0149, 42SX

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

I-9 Form – Click here to download the I-9 form.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

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