09/08/2008 40080

SOCIAL WORKER SUPERVISOR

DEFINITION: This is supervisory professional social work.

An employee in this job performs as a first level supervisor over assigned subordinate social work staff engaged in providing social work, counseling and case management services to individuals at a Commonwealth intellectual disability center, state hospital, veterans' long-term care facility, or in a district office of the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services. Work involves interpreting federal, state, departmental or other applicable social work accreditation, certification or regulatory standards or requirements, and legislation, regulations, policies and procedures; consulting and interacting with individuals, family members, guardians, agency staff, or community agency staff; and providing direction, advice, guidance and technical assistance to social work staff and others for meeting social work goals and objectives for each assigned individual. Work is performed in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures under the general supervision of a professional or administrative supervisor. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports and results achieved in meeting the facility's social work program standards, goals and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Supervises the provision of social work, counseling and case management services.

Supervises and evaluates social work programs to ensure facility compliance with The Joint Commission, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Health and Human Services or other applicable accreditation, certification or regulatory standards or requirements.

Supervises the review of voluntary and involuntary commitments, recommitments or discharge data and documentation.

Supervises the provision of specialized services in the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services or at the Hiram G. Andrews Center for the blind or visually impaired who may have secondary disabilities.

Verifies or clarifies commitment, recommitment or discharge information with appropriate resources.

Directs or arranges for diagnostic reviews in accordance with appropriate legislation or regulatory requirements.

Guides and supervises staff on assessing individuals' total social services treatment needs.

Cooperates with appropriate facility and community agency staff.

Evaluates individuals' ward/living area assignments, transfers or discharge documentation to ensure the least restrictive environment for meeting individuals' needs.

Interprets federal and state social work legislation and certification/accreditation standards and requirements, and departmental and facility policies and procedures.

Supervises the assessment of individuals' social services needs.

Supervises the provision of counseling to individuals and their families utilizing various treatment modalities.

Ensures social work staff participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and discussions on individual psychosocial assessments.

Supervises the development of assigned individuals' treatment program plans.

Supervises the preparation, review and evaluation of reports, records and case management files on individuals' progress in meeting the social services treatment program goals and objectives.

Recommends changes to individuals' social services treatment program.

Responds to correspondence relating to social services studies, court documents, parental or relative support, medical consultation, rate payments for care and maintenance and public and private insurance reimbursements.

Supervises the eligibility determination process of customers for the Independent Living Older Blind Program, Specialized Services Children’s and Specialized Services Adult Program.

Supervises and ensures the preparation of service discharge case closing and transfer plans which summarize the individuals' disposition and need for continued aftercare or follow-up services.

Supervises the conduct of on-site visits and inspections of Community Based Service Units, service providers and social and health care agencies.

Participates in the planning, developing and carrying out of in-service social work training activities for facility and community agency staff.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

Employees in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of professional social work principles, practices and methods.

Knowledge of professional casework principles, practices and methods.

Knowledge of social, economic, health, habilitative and rehabilitative problems, treatment methods and resources.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior.

Knowledge of counseling techniques and interventions used to recognize or improve social, economic, emotional, behavioral and health situations of individuals and families.

Knowledge of federal and state accreditation and certification standards and requirements and rules, regulations, standards and policies that relate to social work services and programs.

Knowledge of the external organizations and agencies that provide individual social services.

Knowledge of the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as applied to social work practice.

Ability to analyze and interpret individual case records to ensure compliance with social work program policies and procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year of experience as a Social Worker 2 or a Forensic Social Worker 2; and a master’s degree in social work or social welfare;

                                                                                                                                                                      or

Three years of professional social work experience, including one year in a consultative, administrative, advisory, or lead work capacity; and a master’s degree in social work or social welfare.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: Positions in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs must possess a valid license as a Licensed Social Worker or Licensed Clinical Social Worker issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.