SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER, INSTITUTIONS

Examples of work

• Takes the lead in a small social services unit or is the sole individual responsible for providing all social service functions within the institution.
• Organizes assigned tasks concerned with social problems of patients and develops effective work methods.
• Provides professional social services to help patients adjust to their environment and enhance physical and emotional well being.
• Counsels patients and family members relative to social adjustment, medical benefits, financial problems, etc.
• Arranges for patient services such as transportation, shopping, financial allowances, etc.
• Interviews patients and obtains social data and medical history.
• Prepares reports in the form of case entries.
• Maintains periodic progress reports on patients.
• Prepares correspondence.
• Participates in professional and related meetings and conferences.
• Assists physicians and other professional personnel by analyzing and evaluating social data bearing on medical problems and contributing to patient's total treatment.
• Arranges for the patient to be seen by a psychiatrist.
• Maintains liaison with community councils and with religious, civic and social agencies to provide for social, educational and rehabilitative services.
• Conducts orientations and tours of facility for new patients and family members.
• Meets with civil groups and high school students who are interested in providing volunteer aid.
• Advises and assists discharged patients on matters such as welfare benefits, food stamps, housing, emergency clothing and furniture.
• Follows up with patients after discharge.
• Maintains essential records and files
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Sociology or Psychology.

Experience

One (1) year of social work experience in a social service agency or program.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the purposes, policies, standards, and procedures involved in performing social work related to the health, physical welfare, and social adjustment and/or employment of persons socially, mentally and/or physically maladjusted.
• Knowledge of problems encountered in collecting/analyzing factual information necessary to passing on individual cases, drawing sound social conclusions based on findings, and initiating appropriate actions as a result of findings.
• Knowledge of social casework methods and terminology
• Knowledge of organizational objectives and activities of varied types of public/private social agencies.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior.
• Knowledge of individual and community health problems.
• Knowledge of procedures to be followed in establishment and maintenance of casework and other records and files
• Ability to analyze laws, rules, regulations, and procedures and to apply them with reasonable consistency to individual cases.
• Ability to organize assigned social work and develop effective work methods.
• Ability to work harmoniously with associates, families, children, and social organizations.
• Ability to quickly learn the significant facts in an individual or family situation and to weigh/evaluate such facts.
• Ability to plan and execute programs for social readjustments of juveniles on the basis of findings.
• Ability to provide guidance, advice, and instructions to other social workers.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports.
• Ability to analyze, comprehend and interpret data in the conduction of supportive group, individual and adjunctive activity therapies.
• Ability to establish and maintain a professional relationship with patients and staff.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Possession of a Master's degree in Social Work or Social Welfare from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of indicated experience.