Description

Social Service Specialist 3

Come join our team today and help us in our mission of Transforming Lives! By being a part of our hard-working team of professionals, you will provide social services to vulnerable adults and make a difference in their lives.

Aging and Long Term Support Administration, Home, and Community Services has an opportunity for a Social Service Specialist 3 in Tacoma, WA. You will be assessing disabled and elderly clients who are currently residing in adult family homes or assisted living facilities. You may also perform assessments for clients who are seeking placement from their own homes and want to move to a residential setting.

Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Some of what you'll do:

• Conduct functional assessment utilizing the department's Comprehensive Assessment Reporting & Evaluation (CARE) computerized tool to determine the level of care and eligibility
• Develop appropriate individualized service plans in conjunction with the client and/or representative to meet the needs of the client
• Authorize appropriate services for Medicaid clients utilizing qualified providers if the client chooses to receive their long-term care services in a residential setting or an in-home setting
• Provide skilled case management services to resolve issues, concerns, and diversional activities to prevent hospitalization or nursing facility placements.
• Coordinate and provide financial support services including assisting clients to fill out forms and applications for HCS benefits, Non-Grant Medical Assistance (NGMA), and verifying Medicaid financial eligibility
• Compute the client's estimated responsibility when appropriate
• Prioritize caseload according to office policy, timeframes, and workload expectations.
• Organize, handle, and submit documents per program procedures and office specifications
• Participate in unit meetings, staffing with collateral contracts and community partners, mandatory online or in-person training, workshops, webinars, teleconferences, video conferences, and meetings

What we are looking for:

• Knowledge of Medicaid terminology, regulations, and policies
• Ability to analyze a variety of programmatic issues/problems and develop workable solutions
• Knowledge of social service payment systems and service authorization procedures
• Good organizational skills that allow for multiple priorities
• Ability to identify and evaluate social dynamics affecting client choice and decision making

Who should apply?

Professional with one year as a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field and one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field, and two years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

Please Note: A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum will be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.

Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform Lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s mission that you bring equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

NOTE: Employees of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of your vaccine status. Please note medical or religious accommodation may be available once an offer of employment is made.

Questions? Please contact saleen.hernandez@dshs.wa.gov and reference #06110.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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