Job Descriptions: Case Worker in Social Settings

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CASE WORKER

Note: This job description is an example only. Social Service Network does not guarantee or imply that any or all of the contents below will or would be used by potential employer. This job description is a culmination of various job descriptions and serves only as an example.

Additional examples can be found at http://www.socialservicenetwork.com/job_descriptions_examples.html

SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, counsels and aids at-risk individuals and/or families requiring one or more forms of psycyhosocial services; interviews clients experiencing problems with personal and family adjustments, finances, employment, food, housing, physical and mental impairments, and/or similar areas; secures and evaluates applicable related information; refers clients to community resources and other organizations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. In either a clinical or a field setting, interviews clients with problems such as personal and family adjustments, finances, employment, food, clothing, housing, and physical and mental impairments to determine nature and degree of need.
2. Secures information such as medical, psychological, and social factors contributing to client's situation; evaluates these together with client's strengths.
3. Counsels clients individually, in families, or in other small groups regarding plans for meeting needs, and aids clients to mobilize inner capacities and environmental resources to improve social functioning.
4. Helps clients to modify attitudes and patterns of behavior by increasing understanding of the nature and source of personal problems, and by identifying and building on personal strengths.
5. Refers clients to community resources and other organizations as indicated; may determine or participate in determining client's eligibility for financial assistance.
6. Compiles records and prepares reports; develops and/or reviews service plan and performs follow-up to determine quantity and quality of service provided client and status of client's case.
7. Accesses and records client and community resource information, manually or using personal computer, to input and retrieve information.
8. May work in collaboration with other professional disciplines.
9. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

High school diploma or GED; at least 3 years of experience that is directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to coordinate quality assurance programs in area of specialty.
• Ability to counsel patients and/or families in life management and coping skills.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Interviewing and psychological/developmental evaluation skills.
• Knowledge of community support services and funding agencies.
• Knowledge of psychosocial interviewing and counseling techniques.
• Records maintenance skills.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Successful candidate must submit to post offer, pre-employment physical examination/medical history check.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT:

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• No or very limited physical effort required.

No or very limited exposure to physical risk

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http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?IPath=OCPGC&job_did=J3G6FZ60JKQHY5W86BK&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=11d46af388fb46668ad882acbe4183f2-230384678-F5-4

SOCIAL SERVICES- CASE WORKER
Company: Catholic Charities

Description

JOB SUMMARY: Provide direct services to victims of domestic violence including counseling, advocacy, information and referral, and follow-up. Complete necessary documentation for agency and client files.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Direct Services
·Provide crisis intervention and information and referral services to battered women via our 24-hour hotline.
·Counseling and educating clients in the area of domestic violence.
·Providing intake services and goal planning.
·Providing advocacy services on behalf of clients as necessary.
·Administering any personal inventories as deemed appropriate.
·Participating in agency/client oriented projects.
·Advocating for clients as appropriate for safety.
·Providing support/advocacy in court and police systems.
·Providing emergency shelter coverage as needed.

Indirect Services
·Participate in on-going supervision and case planning of clients. Appropriate administrative paperwork as well as documentation in client case files.
·Attend and participate in all staff meetings, case conferences and supervisory sessions.
·Act as liaison or agency representative with community programs as necessary.
·Complete all administrative paperwork including Anasazi data entry, progress notes, activity reports, time sheets, and logs in a timely and professional manner.
·Document case files in a timely manner and in compliance with agency and program standards.
·Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree in one of the Social Sciences, preferred. Prior knowledge of domestic violence desired. Experience in direct services helpful.

Providence House is a 24-hour residential crisis program, and as such requires staffing at all times. When accepting a position with this agency it is important to know that the regular shift at the time of hiring is subject to change during the course of your employment, and that at times of staff emergencies or special events you may be required to fill shifts other than (instead of) your regular shift. This may include holidays.

Requirements
Please refer to the Job Description to view the requirements for this
job

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http://www.caclv.org/programs/homelessness/safe_harbor/safeharbordes.htm

Safe Harbor Easton
Description

Safe Harbor Easton is an emergency/transitional shelter for homeless single men and women. It is also a drop-in program for low-income and functionally disadvantaged individuals. Housed in a two-story building at 536 Bushkill Drive in Easton, the shelter has the capacity to house 16 men and 10 women overnight. Shelter residents are permitted to stay at the shelter for a period of up to 60 days while they prepare for their future.

The mission of Safe Harbor Easton is to motivate each individual to work toward self-sufficiency and to improve their quality of life while assisting them to meet their basic needs. During their stay at Safe Harbor Easton, residents have the opportunity to learn new problem-solving skills, stabilize their income, assess their job skills, look for job training, have a medical check-up, and find suitable permanent housing. At the same time, during the day, the drop-in center offers respite from the stress of the streets for functionally disabled adults by serving two meals per day and providing social rehabilitation services so that participants can achieve the level of self-sufficiency which is appropriate for their abilities.

Self-sufficiency is an integral part of the work at Safe Harbor Easton and a plan to assist individuals in achieving independence begins at intake. In reviewing an individual’s appropriateness for the shelter, Safe Harbor’s staff assesses the applicant’s resources as well as needs. The staff will assess whether the individual has other potential housing options such as shared housing, if the individual has sufficient finances to seek shelter elsewhere, if the person possesses a reasonable expectation that they can benefit from Safe Harbor’s array of services.

Each new member of the Safe Harbor community, whether joining the day program or moving into overnight residence, is interviewed by a case worker or other appropriate staff member. The case worker collects specific items of information such as the last place of residence, next of kin, employment history, income data, and the reason for the need of services. In concert with the case worker, the shelter resident develops a goal plan, which may include finding stable appropriate housing, getting a job, dealing with family issues, stabilizing his or her income, and/or attending drug, alcohol, or mental health outpatient treatment. The goal plan for those participating in the day program may be similar, but focused on the need for budgeting, maintaining one’s home, and finding a job, if the individual is able to work.

During the day, Safe Harbor Easton offers a variety of needed services to the residents and to the functionally disabled, low-income individuals who have been the traditional participants in a program formerly called the Easton Drop-In Center. At Safe Harbor, the day program participants receive breakfast and lunch in a friendly, caring atmosphere. Other services available to residents and day program participants include: life skills classes, medical check-ups and counseling, confidential AIDS testing, drug and alcohol counseling, services to veterans, Social Security representative payee program, and other services dealing with homeless prevention, employment, and housing.

All program participants are encouraged to become part of the Safe Harbor community where all individuals, both staff and participant, are treated with dignity and respect. House chores are carried out by residents because they value their quarters and want to make a contribution to its décor and maintenance. Safe Harbor Easton does not permit drugs or alcohol on the premises. Both the shelter program and the daytime program operate under a set of house rules that are explained and a copy is made available to each program participant. Facilities and supplies are available for the maintenance of personal hygiene and each individual is expected to make use of them.

On a yearly basis, Safe Harbor serves up to 300 homeless adults and over 269 unduplicated daytime participants.

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http://www.a-span.org/volunteer/ewsvoljobdesc.html

Emergency Winter Shelter (EWS)

Volunteer Job Descriptions

Introduction: Welcome to the distinguished group of people who volunteer at the Emergency Winter Shelter (EWS). There are six main posts: Intake, Food, Hygiene Supplies, Clothing, Overnight Assistant and Breakfast Server. Volunteers that work a post on one evening may elect to work some different post on subsequent shifts. There are three shifts:

(1^st shift).......... 6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.

(2^nd shift)........ 10:00 p.m. to 7/8 a.m. weekends/ holidays

(3^rd shift)......... 5:45 a.m. - 7/8 a.m. weekends/holidays.

Services typically performed by volunteers at the shelter involve physical activity, contact with unknown and unfamiliar persons as well as travel between various locations, all of which pose a risk of injury. Volunteers must assume responsibility for these risks for injury to their person or property. Operations at the shelter follow Federal Confidentiality Laws that preserve the rights of clients receiving temporary emergency services. Volunteers should not release or disclose any information about anyone receiving services at the shelter without written consent.

The first shift requires at least six volunteers for adequate coverage, whereas, the second and third shifts can be managed by one volunteer. If you are unable to work an assigned shift, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Azita Ranjbar at 703-820-4357, ext. 17 or notify your team leader as soon as possible regarding your absence. Many of the volunteers at the shelter are members of a church, business or group activity whose volunteer efforts are coordinated in advance. Other volunteer help is done by individuals who help fill in vacant shifts. You can always switch your shift with another member of your group or change a scheduled day whenever you are unable to volunteer.

Each volunteer activity involves a different task and this job description will assist you in selecting the best assignment for you. Please read each task carefully to help familiarize you with your volunteer post. Also, please review the attached documents on Proposed Rules and Regulations of Shelter Residents and shelter floor (3^rd floor) plan to help acclimate you to the environment.

Intake/Clothing Room (1^st shift): Two volunteers can do the work needed in this area. The volunteer in this area is usually familiar with this post and he/she is very experienced with homeless issues of people seeking shelter. Staff will be assigned to this area to facilitate the orientation process given nightly. Volunteers may answer phone calls, assist with meal and donation deliveries, search personal belongings, monitor activities in this area and assist with requests to go to the clothing room.

The Intake process begins at 6:15 p.m. when staff collect the names of residents waiting in the park area (across the street) and give out tickets for the nightly admission. There are 40 bed spaces (including 3 beds for reserve) plus 6 overflow spaces. Clients with a reserved bed will be highlighted on the bed list in advance and may not be in line for a ticket. At 7:00 p.m. sharp up to 20 clients may enter the shelter to be processed for overnight shelter. This process takes up to 15 - 20 minutes to complete. Once the orientation is full, anyone looking for shelter must return after the 7:30 p.m. orientation.

Clients entering the shelter are directed into the orientation room to the left of lobby doors. Staff will facilitate the orientation process while volunteers help complete paperwork and other duties, such as assisting with meal deliveries or receiving donations. Due to County regulations and shelter rules, the orientation must be done nightly to accommodate everyone new to the shelter.

Clients who have difficulty adapting to the shelter’s environment will be asked to leave. Volunteers who notice a situation that they think may become a problem should immediately inform staff. Do not attempt to defuse a situation on your own. Always involve a staff or other professional worker. Clients who are non-compliant when asked to leave will be dealt with by the Arlington Police. For non-emergency call 703/558-2222 and for an emergency situation call 911. The Arlington Police Department is very quick to respond to calls for assistance from the Emergency Winter Shelter.

Staff will have a roster of names that are updated nightly on bed assignments. Clients are permitted to return to the same bed each night provided their names are on the list. Meal tickets are also given out to help folks locate their bed assignments. Volunteers help with the paperwork process of cutting meal tickets and if time permits, distributing tickets to the clients. Other forms completed during the orientation include clothing room and laundry requests.

Volunteers help with the search process. Make sure to wear protective gloves at all times with searching through the client’s personal belongings. Again, protective gloves must be worn for universal precautions. It is important to allow only 2 - 3 clients in the lobby area during searches to allows a clear view of the hallway activities and ensures everyone’s safety. Also, this practice prevents any diversion among guests who may attempt to enter the shelter without a ticket and pass contraband to someone that has already been searched.

All other clients should remain inside the orientation room until notified to get searched. Those already searched should move on to take the stairs. Items such as weapons, drugs or alcohol are not permitted and staff should be alerted immediately. Any sharp items or blades over three inches long should be confiscated and place in the weapon’s box. Other items, such as loose food, paper cups or bottles with liquid contents must be discarded before client can be admitted.

Prescription medications are allowed to remain with the client. Pat searches should be performed by the same sex, however, in the absence of either you may ask whether the client has any contraband on their person instead of performing a body search.

Pat searches generally are done to check for hidden items inside pockets, waistlines, socks, etc. or any other place contraband or weapons can be sealed inside clothing.

All bags must be searched before entry to the third floor. Any large bag can be held in hallway area if client has excessive belongings. Clients leaving the orientation room to use the restroom should be closely monitored. No personal belongings are allowed past lobby area unless searched. Clients are not permitted beyond the glass door (beside water fountain) without authorization or an escort at any time. When in doubt about any function during intake, please do not hesitate to ask staff for immediate assistance.

Other duties during intake consist of monitoring client activities: smoke breaks, clothing assistance, telephone use, television viewing. Some clients may request to speak to staff or a services worker. The lobby area should remain clear of anyone standing around so that order is maintained. Smoke breaks are between 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (only 4 people outside at a time). Clients that do not remain in view of the glass door during his/her smoke break can be asked to leave. Clients listed to receive clothes must be escorted to and from the clothing rooms with no more than two people in the hallway at one time. Clients are allowed to use the telephone in the lobby area for a maximum of ten minutes. Any additional time must be approved by staff. Clients watching television usually decide among themselves what show to view.

Food Server (1^st shift): The food service area includes 2 volunteers. Volunteers working this post must be patient yet firm in order to keep things moving along smoothly during the dinner hour. Prior to dinner at 7:30 p.m., the following tasks must be completed: Wash your hands before working, and especially after each use of the restroom or after any contamination with clean-up chemicals. Turn on the coffee maker (instruction posted on the wall) and prepare up to 4 pots of coffee. Any requests for additional coffee after the four pots must be authorized by staff. Set-up coffee, sugar, creamers, napkins, cups, plates, bowls, plastic ware, stirrers and any other items needed to assist with serving. Please notice the signs posted in this area to assist you with your duties.

Check the telephone intercom system by pushing the button identified to reach staff. For emergencies, push 9 for an outside line. Clients are not permitted to use this phone. In case of an emergency, contact staff for assistance. Arrange tables and chairs in the dining area and check area for cleanliness. Place donated foods and/or drinks delivered on counter or refrigerate. Put snacks on the table in dining area only if (outside the kitchen counter) more space is needed on counter area. Do not serve any breakfast foods and drinks, e.g., milk, juice, breakfast rolls or pastries during dinner time. Foods prepared for the evening meal must be served and discard during clean up.

Before clean up, prepare a bleach solution with 1 part bleach (stored in laundry room area) and 10 parts water to keep nearby for spills and cleanups. Clients will present a meal tickets that can be placed in a plastic bowl on the counter. Under no circumstances should a client be allowed in the kitchen area unless authorized by staff. Use new paper items and plastic utensils each time to serve meals. Meals are delivered hot and ready to serve.

Seconds can be served after everyone has had a chance to eat. Announce seconds after checking downstairs to make sure no other client is being processed. Again, seconds should be served on a clean plate and clean utensils. Anyone asking for seconds with a used plate or utensil must discard these items before being served. Clients who arrive after 9:00 p.m. can have their food reheated (if available) in the microwave. Notify staff immediately in the event of any problem should arrive in the dining room area. Please do not hesitate to call for assistance. The food area closes by 9:30 p.m. to allow clean-up activities.

Any unused paper items should be return to their original containers. Please do not open supplies and discard the original containers. Silverware used to serve with should be washed and returned to the desk drawer. Pots and/or pans should be washed in the stationary tub next to the washing machine and left on drain board. Do not put any pots or pans in the refrigerator. Clean and wipe down all surfaces with the beach solution. Empty all trash in the large container in the hallway. Upon leaving the kitchen contact staff to lock the kitchen area.

Hygiene Supply/Room 3 (1^st shift): This post requires one volunteer although two people may work together in this area. Clients may receive any supply items in this area except for blankets and sheets (pillow cases not included). Blankets and sheets are distributed downstairs by staff in order to maintain inventory control. Any requests for an extra blanket should be directed to staff. Other items such as towels, wash cloths, soap, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, razors, lotion, shampoo and conditioner, feminine hygiene items and over-the-counter medications are given out each night. In the event a specific item is not available. Please leave information for supply requests on the volunteer bulletin board inside this area along with any other concerns.

Check your supplies before you get started to see if you need to restock any items. Additional supplies are kept in the supply Room 1 (just outside the office to the right past Room 2). Other functions in this area include recording requests for an early wake-up and listing names of clients that receive a razor. Please do not allow clients inside this area. This office must be occupied at all times by a volunteer. If you need to leave for any reason please ask staff to lock the area. The telephone in this room is off limits. Requests for personal phone calls should be directed to staff. Volunteers may use the telephone in this room (dial 9 for outside) to make calls or contact the kitchen, lobby and Director’s office. In case of an emergency situation use of the telephone is permitted if the volunteer makes the call.

Supplies are limited and should be proportioned to a single serving each evening. Dispense items are travel-size first and any large size items such as lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. should be dispensed by you. Please do not give away any large size item. Over-the-counter medications are given as requested when supplies permit. Volunteers should open all medications for clients and hand the bottle/package to people to take their own. Closely monitor clients when they take medications to check for any misuse or abuse of medications. For example, two aspirins are expected for headaches but three or more should be reported immediately to staff. All other requests made by clients not mentioned above should be directed to staff. When in doubt about questions or concerns use the telephone to reach staff.

Clothing Room (1^st shift): The Men and Women’s Clothing Room is open from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. following the intake process. Volunteer assignments then become less cumbersome once duties changeover to monitoring the lobby and assisting clients in the clothing room. One volunteer can manage the clothing room while another volunteer oversees clients that go outside to smoke or use the telephone. Review the sign-in list to see who is scheduled to get clothing. Check inside the orientation room to see if clients are waiting to go to the clothing room according to their listed times.

The clothing room is located on the first floor down the hallway to the last door on the left. This area is used by service providers who meet with clients, therefore clients receiving clothing must always be escorted to and from the clothing room. Clients must wait inside the orientation room for their names to be called before they go to clothing room. Anyone that misses their turn will have to try again the next evening. There is a fifteen minute time limit inside the clothing room.

Clients are allowed to get one full set of clothing in order to allow someone else a chance to find clothes. The clothing room volunteer can assist with clothing selection if needed. Items removed from shelves or racks should be returned. Clients requesting to use the restroom should be directed to the upstairs restroom.

The Volunteer monitoring smoke break activities will observe clients going in and out of the shelter from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Anyone waiting to smoke should wait inside the orientation room if the maximum of four is outside. Clients outside must remain in view of the glass door at all times in order to be properly monitored. Anyone seen moving away for any period of time should be reported to staff immediately. Some client use this opportunity to recover items stashed outside the shelter and try to retrieve them to bring inside during the smoke break.

Overnight Volunteer (3^rd shift): This post can be managed by one volunteer who will assist if needed during the overnight. The overnight volunteer is primarily responsible for assisting with laundry chores and to be present in case of an emergency call for help. The overnight volunteer has full use of Room 2 to relax or sleep if needed. This area is off limits to shelter clients. The door to this room can be locked from the inside. There are two staff members on-duty during the overnight to maintain services and security. The overnight volunteers are a special group of people who really push the envelope in helping with coverage at night and we sincerely thank them for their "extra dedication."

Breakfast Assistant (3^rd shift): This post requires one volunteer to set up the kitchen and prepare a light breakfast of coffee, pastries, cold cereal and fruit. The majority of clients don’t eat breakfast, although some people will look forward to having something to eat before leaving in the morning, especially those who have to take medications with food. In the event a volunteer is not available to work this post then the overnight volunteer can cover this assignment and serve breakfast if he/she can stay until 7/8am.

During inclement weather conditions, additional overnight coverage is needed to accompany clients who stay at an off-site overflow locations. Only those clients oriented to stays in a shelter environment will be transported for the overnight lodging at a nearby church. Transportation arrangement will be made available. This assignment is available on a as needed base due to weather conditions. Please notify Azita Ranjbar, Volunteer Coordinator at 703-820-4357, ext. 17 to sign up.

One Final Note: If a volunteer is faced with a situation where a client becomes unruly or unmanageable, staff should immediately be called to that area. Volunteers should never attempt to physically handle a client or tolerate a client touching them. There is an existing discipline policy which governs inappropriate behavior by clients according to the infraction involved. It is important to note that any client who requires the police to remove him/her from the shelter will be banned and served a notice of trespass by the Arlington Police Department.

Inappropriate acts toward staff, volunteers and clients will not be tolerated. If a client becomes disruptive during your post remember to stay calm. This action has a great impact on a person’s judgment and reflects that you are in control over the situation until help arrives. There are many reasons to volunteer and give support to those in need, so remember: "Life’s most persistent and urgent question is "What are you doing for others?" (Rev. Martin Luther King). The work you do here at the EWS will afford the infinite gratitude of helping others to achieve their basic needs in life.

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