Caseworker Senior Protective Services

Lancaster County•Lancaster, PA

38d

About The Position

An employee in this position is responsible for investigating allegations of abuse, exploitation, abandonment and/or neglect of older adults and is responsible for reducing risk by the provision of protective services.

Requirements

One year as a Caseworker (Aging) or Caseworker (Assessor); or
Three years of experience in public or private social work, including one year of direct aging care management experience and a bachelor’s degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 semester hours credit in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related social sciences: or
Two years of experience in public or private social work including one year of direct aging program experience and a bachelor's degree with a social welfare major; or
Any equivalent combination of experience and training including successful completion of 12 semester hours of college level courses in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related social sciences.
Reference check of minimum of three Professional references
Criminal Background Checks
Drug testing
Driver records

Responsibilities

Conducts thorough investigations of Protective Service Reports according to the Protective Service Regulations and Department of Aging guidelines to determine whether an older adult is at risk of abuse/neglect/exploitation/abandonment and in need of protective services.
Home visits, contacts with collaterals, medical professionals, securing medical /financial records, and arranging for evaluations of capacity.
Appropriate documentation of the investigation form, journal notes, and related entries within specified time frames.
Develops a plan of care to eliminate or reduce the risk of abuse/neglect/exploitation/abandonment.
Knowledge of agency programs, community services, and placement options.
Care Plans must be developed that employ the least restrictive alternative that will effectively reduce the identified risk(s).
Petition for emergency intervention, involuntary mental health commitment, or guardianship may be necessary.
Knowledge of guardianship procedures, effective testimony of worker at a hearing and subsequent management of the case until risk has been reduced.
Manage the case and consult with their supervisor regarding all decisions/actions until a permanent guardian takes over.
All substantiated cases with a care plan are required to be reassessed before being closed.
Participation in a rotating schedule of workers who receive and screen Protective Service Reports whenever the agency is closed and to initiate an investigation after hours when necessary.
Response to situations in which LCOA is the temporary emergency guardian of the older adult.
Perform on-call duties according to the protocol in the latest edition of the agency On-Call Manual.