Title: Social Worker II – CMARC

Department: Health Department

Type: Full-Time/ Benefits

Salary Range: Grade 67

Location: Lexington

General Statement of Duties

Will be a member of the maternal-child health team providing Care Coordination for the care coordination for children team. The purpose of this team is to have a cohesive, but versatile group of health professionals who provide services to pregnant women, children and their families with consistency and continuity. Assures that children (age 0 – 5) receive care management to coordinate community-based interventions for children to maximize health outcomes. The program targets the highest risk and highest cost children for care management. The services coordinated through this program include primary health care, special therapies, childcare, counseling, developmental screening, physical assessments and referrals. The focus being on improving the quality of care and decreasing cost for the neediest of the needy in the CMARC target population. Work is performed under the supervision of the Public Health Nurse Supervisor I.

Illustrative Examples of Work

· Follow-up and monitoring are required to ensure that the treatment plan has a positive impact on the client. Close monitoring may lead to changes in the initial plan as the care manager helps the client adjust to changes in the environment, family and medical situation. The care manager will ensure that the CMARC client has appropriate services in place.

· Initiates assessment which aids the care manager in determining the client/family service needs which might include psychosocial, nutritional, medical, education and financial factors.

· Skills in coordination and referral are required in order to assist the client in arranging for appropriate services and to ensure continuity of care. Consultations with appropriate persons/agencies will be routinely scheduled to implement and monitor the service plan.

· Educates and informs the client of needed services and strategies for accessing necessary resources. Understanding and evaluating group dynamics are crucial to this phase of the job as the care manager must facilitate group learning through planning and appropriate intervention in group interaction.

· Encourages families to participate in care coordination services to secure the best possible health and development outcomes.

· Develops a strong referral network and increases community awareness of the care coordination for children’s program.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

· Knowledge of human behavior and development and the needs and problems of pregnant women, children and their families.

· Knowledge of community resources.

· Ability to assess situations and make independent decisions.

· Ability to function as part of a team that develops, plans, coordinates services and works together toward common goals.

· Ability to utilize a personal computer and an integrated software system is required.

· Ability to collaborate with medical providers and make outreach presentations to other agencies.

· Bilingual skills a plus.

· Substance abuse counseling a plus.

· Ability to plan and coordinate.

· Ability to deal tactfully with others and to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions.

· Ability to be flexible and work as a team player.

· Good verbal and written communication skills.

· Excellent listening skills.

· Should be able to communicate clearly and assess and monitor clients’ physical, mental and emotional status and document work performed.

· Should be able to act quickly to protect yourself from unpredictable behavior.

· Should be mobile to access various environments.

· Ability to closely observe non-verbal behavior to give clues to problem areas.

Physical Requirements

· Work settings include the Health Department, hospitals, referral/resource agencies and clients’ homes.

· Close visual attention is required in all phases of client/home assessment.

· Stooping, reaching, handling, feeling, fingering, talking, hearing and seeing.

· Exposure to homes that may be infested with rats, roaches, lice, etc.

· Hostile clients.

· Exposure to regular traffic hazards and adverse weather conditions.

Education and Experience

Required Minimum Training: Bachelor's degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution; bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience; bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two years directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

NCDHHS Program Guide for Management of High Risk Pregnancies and At Risk Children in Managed Care requires the following: Social workers with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW, BA in SW, or BS in SW) or Master of Social Work (MSW, MA in SW, or MS in SW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited social work degree program, Degree in a human service field with 5 or more years of care management/case management experience working with the specific population of low-income, pregnant individuals and/or children ages 0-5 years, Degree in a human service field with 3 or more years of care management/case management experience working with the specific population (low income, pregnant individuals and/or children ages 0-5 years) and has certification as a Case Manager (CCM preferred).

Licenses and Certifications

NC Driver’s license.