Social Worker III

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Brief Job Description:

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence. 

The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

The Social Worker III performs and documents highly complex social services work including serving as a liaison between the individual, legally authorized representative and others to assure ongoing care, treatment and support through the use of person centered practices. This position gathers information to assess the individual's support systems and service needs, including participation in interdisciplinary team meetings, as needed.  This position completes an initial social history, as well as maintains appropriate updates. This position may also support the assessment of the individual's rights and capacity to make decisions and provides individual and group training to promote the exercise of rights. This position designs and provides individual and group training to promote the exercise of rights and develops training curriculum and materials. This position assists with the coordination of admissions, transfers, transitions and discharges, as needed.  This position assigns and/or supervises the work of others.  The Social Worker III works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.

Interviews and converses with individuals, legally authorized representatives, actively involved persons and agencies to create and maintain the individual’s social history through determination of what is important to the individual, gather background information needed to assess the individual’s support systems, and identify the individual’s psychosocial, economic and physical needs, with updates as appropriate. Interview examples include: upon admission or return on an extended forensic commitment, prior to transition to a new home, upon a change in status and in preparation for the annual individual support plan meeting.

Oversees the communication and information exchange between the individual, legally authorized representative, actively involved person and agencies, as needed, and facility or treatment providers to assure ongoing care, treatment and support to include: maintaining open communication, providing required notification, participating in interdisciplinary team meetings as requested, obtaining necessary consents and accessing external resources as needed.

Counsels and provides assistance to individuals, legally authorized representatives, and actively involved persons regarding guardianship issues, annual living options discussions, end-of-life planning and rights in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations and state and center policies.

Assigns and oversees the work, time and travel of Social Worker I and II positions and social work students to include, interviewing and hiring to fill vacancies, training of new staff and current staff as needed and performing evaluations and counseling, as needed.

Oversees and assigns the coordination of admissions, transfers, transitions, discharges, and furloughs as needed to assure documentation is completed and medication and personal possessions are addressed through the use of person-centered practices.   Examples include: coordinating and conducting tours of the facility for individuals and families interested in admission,  providing information to the local authority to assist in obtaining required documents for admission including certified birth certificates, ISD records and social security cards and coordinating with the receiving facility for individuals transferring within the SSLC system to include transportation and the transfer of resident information, personal possessions, medication, etc.

Designs and conducts individual and group training to explore and promote exercise of rights, voting, citizenship, and development of decision-making, person centered thinking and self-advocacy skills. Develops curriculum and training materials designed to support individuals.

Participates in residence and family meetings and internal/external work groups.

Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.  Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, human growth and development, behavioral and mental health, developmental and emotional components of physical illness, social work standards for case management; facility and community resources, and the principles, methods and theories used to practice as a social worker.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally in both individual and group settings.

Skill and ability to assign and supervise the work of others.

Skill in accountability for assigned property with limited financial responsibilities. 

Ability to perform all job duties in accordance with the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners Code of Conduct, National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and in compliance with state, state center policies and procedures.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

The Social Worker is required to maintain licensure in accordance with Texas Board of Social Work Examiners. LBSW, LMSW or LCSW is required. LMSW or LCSW is preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Bachelor’s degree in social work and three years of social work experience, or, Master’s degree in Social Work.

One year of experience working directly with persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Additional Information:

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/ Entities (LEIE).

Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS 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.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form