Description

Social Service Specialist 3 In-Training

The Aging and Long-Term Support Administration has a great opportunity to become a part of our team in Bremerton, WA.

This role functions independently and assures that clients receive appropriate quality services that meet their individual needs and recognize their capabilities and choices through timely and responsive assessment, service delivery and reassessment, and case management. This role plans promotes, develops, and provides long-term care services that are responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities and the elderly with priority attention to low-income individuals and families.

This role conducts face-to-face comprehensive assessments and reassessments at the client’s residence (in-home, hospital, nursing home, residential facility, etc.) using a laptop computer to determine clients’ level of care, including determining nursing facility level of care needs. This role develops initial and ongoing care plans that provide the support necessary to allow clients to remain in or return to their community. This role assesses and provides case management to adults at high risk of institutionalization or to those adults whose need for case management is part of a service plan developed following an adult protective service investigation.

As an SSS3 in training, the individual will start in an in-training classification for the professional social services series in Aging and Long-Term Support Administration. The individual will operate under close supervision and must complete all agency-required Social Service Training within 18 months of assignment and demonstrate the ability to perform the full spectrum of social service agency-related functions of an SSS3.

Join us today and help us on our mission to Transform Lives!

Some of what you'll be doing:

• Develop initial and ongoing care plans which provide the support necessary to allow the client to remain in or return to the community from nursing facilities, hospitals, or other institutional care settings; or offer the client alternatives to nursing home placement through MPC, Community First Choice, COPES and other HCS programs
• Case management: Provide case management services to clients meeting criteria set forth in Aging and Disabilities Services Long-Term Care manuals and Policy
• Assess and provide case management to adults at high risk of institutionalization or to adults whose need for case management is a part of a service plan developed following an adult protective service investigation
• Make referrals to other community resources
• Consult and staff cases with the supervisor
• Authorize service payments and complete forms
• File care documents, draft letters, and respond to administrative requests for reports or constituent responses
• Refer to the Nursing Care Consultant on Skin Observation Protocols (SOP’s) and Critical indicators when triggered, as per ALTSA protocol. Consult with a nurse as needed on complex medical issues/terminology
• Provide client advocacy as well as consultation, networking, family support, and crisis intervention. Coordinate with families, facilities, local office staff, and other regional offices and community agencies regarding the needs of clients served
• Instruct and educate other professionals and the public about what services can be provided including program service limitations

What we're looking for:

• Growth Mind-Set
• Strong Advocacy Skills
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable
• Ability to maintain professional focus and objectivity
• Maintain confidentiality of all client information
• Communicate information both orally and in writing with management, peers, clients, and the public
• Ability to apply social casework theory, principles, and practices
• Effective interviewing skills
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to make decisions independently, including quick decisions that impact safety
• Ability to handle a fast-paced work environment

Who should apply?
Professionals with that are at the SSS2 level:

Twelve months as a Social Service Specialist 1.

AND

Completion of the agency’s Social Service Specialist training program.

OR

A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field, and one year as a Social Service Specialist 1 or equivalent paid social service experience

OR

A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field, and two years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1.

Please note: A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum will be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.

Employees must successfully complete the formal training course within one year of their appointment.

Note: It is the intent of the In-Training position to have the individual complete the full training plan for the SSS2 position within 12 months. At the successful completion of the SSS2 training plan, the individual will be promoted to an SSS3 in training for 6 months.

Note: Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within 18 months of their appointment.

SSS3 level:
One year as a Social Service Specialist 2

OR

A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field and one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field, and two years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

Please note: A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum will be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.

NOTE: Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of their appointment.

Along with your online application, please submit:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Three current professional references

Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform Lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s mission that you bring equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

NOTE:

Employees of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of your vaccine status. Please note medical or religious accommodation may be available once an offer of employment is made.

Questions? Please contact DSHS Recruiter by email and reference #16949.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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