Starting Compensation:

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Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• An employee in this position is responsible for investigating allegations of abuse, exploitation, abandonment and/or neglect of older adults and is responsible for reducing risk by the provision of protective services.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• This employee reports to their direct Supervisor and/or unit Supervisor daily for consultations on cases, assignments, and specific contingencies. Supervisory meetings are held bi-weekly to discuss protective service cases, workload,  employee performance, and concerns. Supervisor oversees employee's work by reviewing cases, individual care plans, making  joint supervisory visits as needed, and through observation of overall employee performance.  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• ASSESSMENT OF RISK (45%): Conducts thorough investigations of Protective Service Reports according  to the Protective Service Regulations and Department of Aging guidelines to determine whether an older adult is at risk of abuse/neglect/exploitation/abandonment and in need of protective services. This will necessarily include home visits, contacts with collaterals, medical professionals, securing medical /financial records, and arranging for evaluations of capacity.  Position  requires appropriate documentation of the investigation form,  journal notes, and related entries within specified time frames. Confidentiality must be maintained at all times and  respect of the rights of all parties is essential.  

• REDUCTION OF RISK (45%): Develops a plan of care to eliminate or reduce the risk of abuse/neglect/exploitation/abandonment. This requires a thorough knowledge of agency programs, community services, and  placement options. Care Plans must be developed that employ the least restrictive alternative that will effectively reduce the identified risk(s). In cases where a mentally incapacitated older adult is at risk, a petition for emergency intervention, involuntary mental health commitment, or guardianship may be necessary. This will require knowledge of guardianship procedures, effective testimony of worker at a hearing and  subsequent management of the case until risk has been reduced. Whenever LCOA is appointed temporary emergency guardian, the worker is required to manage the case and consult with their supervisor regarding all decisions/actions until a permanent guardian takes over. All substantiated cases  with a care plan are required to be reassessed before being closed. The development, approval, and  implementation of  the care plan to reduce risk must be documented in the case record according to Department of Aging guidelines and time frames.

• ON-CALL DUTIES (10%): This position requires participation in a rotating schedule of workers who receive and screen Protective Service Reports whenever the agency is closed and to initiate an investigation after hours when necessary. On-call duties may also require response to situations in which LCOA is the temporary emergency guardian of the older adult. Worker must be able to perform on-call duties according to the protocol in the latest edition of the agency On-Call Manual.       

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

• Occasionally requires presentations on Protective Services to facilities/educational institutions/ general public, mentoring new PS workers, and other duties assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• One year as a Caseworker (Aging) or Caseworker (Assessor); or

• Three years of experience in public or private social work, including one year of direct aging care management experience and a Bachelor's Degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 semester hours credit in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related social sciences; or

• Two years of experience in public or private social work including one year of direct aging program experience and a bachelor's degree with a social welfare major; or

• Any equivalent combination of experience and training including successful completion of 12 semester hours of college level courses in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related social sciences.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to prioritize cases and tasks based on assessment of risk.

• Demonstrate skill at analyzing and resolving conflicting evidence and writing decisions in case record. 

• Develop a knowledge of laws and regulations relevant to protective services.      

• Become proficient in creating care plans to reduce risk.

• Understand and anticipate consumer needs.     

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Reference check of  minimum of three Professional references

• Criminal Background Checks

• Drug testing

• Driver records    

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This job is not sedentary, carrying or lifting rolling laptop case weight, approximate weight is 6 lbs.

• This job may occasionally require assisting consumers with transfer to and from a vehicle.

• Employee may be required to walk up/down staircases to access consumers in dwellings without elevator access.

• Repetitive motion of data entry in the field and office onto laptop.

• This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B.  Access to training and a voluntary vaccination against Hepatitis B is provided.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.