Social Worker II

About the role

The Social Worker II position at the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in Region 4/5 focuses on providing comprehensive public health social work and case management services to families and individuals with special health care needs, high-risk pregnant women, and the general public. This role involves conducting home visits, assessing unmet social needs, collaborating with medical providers, and maintaining accurate documentation.

Responsibilities

• Conducts home visits and visits to other community settings to comprehensively assess client and family’s unmet social needs.
• Completes intake, client assessment documents, and other relevant assessment forms.
• Collaborates with medical providers, community partners, and other state agencies to address needs.
• Maintains current and accurate documentation of all contacts/case activities in case files and appropriate database systems.
• Utilizes software programs for database entry, word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, and Internet.
• Conducts comprehensive assessments to determine eligibility and need for Personal Care Services (PCS)/Case Management for Children (CM).
• Enters family encounter information into an online database.
• Provides consultation, presentations, and training to service providers/contractors for various programs.
• Serves as the representative for DSHS on community organizations, coalitions, and advocacy groups.
• Participates in community disaster mental health services as necessary.
• Adheres to and maintains Community Work Plan and Social Service Directory of community resources for the service area.
• Attends trainings and conferences to meet licensing requirements and provides backup and support to other team members.
• Continues to develop professional knowledge and skills in the practice of Social Work/Case Management in the Public Health setting.
• Attends staff meetings and participates in the performance evaluation process.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, candidates must have a current, unrestricted license to practice social work in the State of Texas. A bachelor’s or graduate degree from a Council on Social Work Education accredited college or university is required, with a master’s degree preferred. Bilingual proficiency (Spanish) is preferred.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates should demonstrate knowledge of case management principles and practices, children’s programs, quality assurance and technical assistance policies and procedures, community resources, and cultural and socioeconomic issues related to health and disabilities. They should also possess strong computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, electronic mail, and Internet, as well as the ability to compile reports, present information, and communicate effectively.

Skills

• Knowledge of Case Management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of children’s programs, such as Medicaid, CSHCN, Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women, CPS/Foster Care, SSI, NBS, NBHS, Lead, Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), and CHIP.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and technical assistance policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of community resources on a local, state, and national level.
• Knowledge of the cultural and socioeconomic issues related to health and disabilities.
• Knowledge of evolving issues within the greater social work realm.
• Knowledge of computer software programs in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, electronic mail, and Internet, specifically MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member in an interdisciplinary setting.
• Ability to interpret and apply program policies and procedures.
• Ability to provide professional leadership.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to plan work in an orderly manner to manage caseloads and meet deadlines.
• Ability to provide technical assistance to professionals.
• Ability to speak and write effectively and to address audiences in a professional manner.
• Ability to provide own transportation to conduct work duties.
• Ability to work under minimum supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.
• Ability to continue key educational activities focusing on current relevant social work topics.
• Ability to follow DSHS Policies and Procedures and adhere to the DSHS Standards of Conduct and Work Rules.