Case Worker, Specialized Home Care

Provide case management for individuals who are placed in Specialized Home Care (SCH) provider homes or living independently in the community. The Case Worker of SHC provides oversight and management of department to ensure that it meets all VHS, DDS and State regulations and requirements.

Professional Characteristics:

• BA/BS in Human Services or related field
• Three years experience in human services, case coordination or counseling/outreach with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families
• Demonstrate the ability to work both independently and within a team
• A working knowledge of developmental disabilities and therapeutic skills, and an ability to relate to a variety of individuals from different cultural, socio and economic background
• Able to meet timelines for submission of all assigned duties and tasks

Personal Characteristics:

• Professional verbal and writing skills necessary for developing and implementing service plans and notes
• Ability to work effectively with professional and nonprofessional staff, volunteers, visitors, and families of consumers ; be sensitive to families of various cultural backgrounds
• Maintain cooperative relationships with community resources and agencies
• Must have good organizational skills
• Strong leadership qualities
• Must have a reliable vehicle to travel throughout the program's geographic areas

• First Aid and CPR certifications required
• MAP certification is not required but you may still be required to attend trainings and meetings on medication administration to gain knowledge and understanding of the medications that clients are taking
• Must possess a valid Massachusetts driver's license and meet the company's driver insurance standards and maintain a safe driving record
• Must have an acceptable CORI (criminal record assessment)

Essential Functions of Position: Clinical and Rehabilitation Skills:

• Conduct monthly meetings with care providers and consumers to monitor ongoing individual support plan goals and consumers' needs
• Meet regularly with care providers and consumers in order to provide support in homes and document meetings/outcomes on Contact Log Notes, Home Visit Forms and/or Data Collection
• Maintain contact with professionals from other agencies to ensure consumers receive appropriate service
• Respond to emails and phone calls within a 24-hour period
• Conduct assessments and work with consumers' ISPs
• On-call 24/7 for independent clients and Care Providers on your case load
• Provide supervision and oversight of Care Providers Homes and the clients that live with them
• Provide ongoing trainings to Care Providers
• Attend Quarterly Provider meetings and other meetings as designated by the Case Worker Supervisor
• Implement treatment programs, including Individual Service Plans (ISPs) and clinical programs, collect behavior and academic data, complete log entries
• Teach daily living skills such as safety rules, travel-training, banking and budget management, cooking, shopping, personal care and hygiene, care of personal space and belongings, and encourages clients to utilize developing skills
• Provides supportive counseling to clients concerning daily, personal and social issues
• Assists Clients with housekeeping tasks such as cleaning the bathrooms, kitchen, common areas, bedrooms, closets, etc.
• Assists in developing and implementing program activities, which will foster the client's growth, skill development, and healthier life-style
• Store, administer, document and dispose of consumer medication consistent with DPH regulations
• Provides assistance in medication administration and train clients on self-medication procedures
• Provide physical intervention and/ or first aid in the event of a behavior or medical emergency - follow on-call and emergency procedures as required
• Accompanies clients to medical, dental and psychiatric appointments or leisure activities via public transportation, agency vehicle or staff car
• Assists in providing crisis assessment, prevention and needed intervention
• Assist the Case Manager Supervisor to orient new staff
• Provides specialized training and instruction to clients and coworkers (such as in the role of Human Rights Officer or Safety Officer) on an assigned basis. Please note that should you be assigned these duties, they will be added as an addendum to this job description
• Assess and maintain contact, where indicated, with consumers' biological families
• Implement strategies to ensure the home meets the needs and preferences of the individual
• Complete all assigned duties and tasks within the designated timeframe as required by the Senior Managers and/or Supervisor

Program Management and Operations:

• Assist Supervisor to ensure compliance with all internal and external regulatory bodies (QUEST, CARF, OSHA and Quality Assurance)
• Maintain ongoing communication with the Case Worker Supervisor, Service Coordinators and Senior Management Team
• Comply with all corporate and divisional policies and procedures, including safe work practices, worker's compensation, universal precautions, exposure control
• Perform other duties as assigned by Case Worker Supervisor or Director of Services

Professional Development:

• Attend required orientation and trainings, including in-service training, conferences and seminars
• Participate in other Professional Development Training as designated by Case Manager Supervisor or Senior Management Team

This job description is intended only to provide general guidance. It is understood that the position may evolve over time, and that additional or different duties may be added at management's discretion.