Social Worker / Care Manager

Fourans - Hamilton Township, NJ

Full-time

Hamilton Township, NJ

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Social Worker / Care Manager position at OPG involves managing a caseload of clients, ensuring their health and well-being through regular visitations and communication with family and medical staff. The role requires the care manager to advocate for clients' rights and preferences while coordinating necessary services and interventions to protect vulnerable individuals from abuse or neglect.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of OPG wards.
• Assist the Public Guardian in managing client health and well-being through periodic visitations.
• Prepare prearrangements for funerals.
• Communicate with family members and medical staff about client health and general well-being.
• Approve basic medical procedures and manage living arrangements.
• Evaluate, monitor, and approve healthcare options and treatment plans.
• Ensure home clients receive appropriate services such as grocery shopping, transportation, and other home assistance.
• Keep and update detailed progress notes based on all interactions and services provided.
• Complete psychosocial assessments to obtain information on mental status, physical status, social history, and current living arrangements for elderly individuals.
• Present case findings, challenges, and recommendations at weekly multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Monitor clients for signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Advocate for client preferences, rights, and freedoms to all invested parties.
• Work with Adult Protective Services to protect OPG wards as the legal decision-maker.
• Rotate on-call coverage with other care management staff for client medical emergencies.
• Make procedurally-appropriate decisions on behalf of the client or escalate calls to the supervisor or attorney on-call.

Requirements

• Experience in social work or care management, particularly with elderly populations.
• Strong communication skills to interact with clients, families, and medical staff.
• Ability to conduct psychosocial assessments and develop treatment plans.
• Knowledge of healthcare options and services available for elderly individuals.
• Experience in advocacy and protecting client rights.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with Adult Protective Services and legal decision-making processes.
• Experience in crisis intervention and emergency response.