LMSW/Benefits Coordinator

Licensed Social Worker/Benefits Coordinator (Syracuse) STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Provides a full range of psychological assessment, treatment planning and therapeutic mental health services for individuals. Develops and directs support group sessions. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Requires a high level of professionalism, confidentiality, communication, teamwork, creativity, problem solving, dexterity, planning and organizational skills. Must understand medical plan requirements. Also requires the ability to get along well with a wide variety of personalities. KEY JOB ELEMENTS Direct Case Management for CABVI Employees and consumers complete intakes, secure appropriate funding sources, coordinate all rehab services and ensure a smooth transition to community-based services. Assist employees and potential employees in all areas of social services as it relates to employment, housing and relocation and barriers in employment. Ensure ongoing communication with the CABVI team. Assist blind and visually impaired consumers with social and job-related issues by providing benefit counseling, case management, and advocacy services. Work with CABVIs social work team in securing community support that agency employees and consumers might need, such as completing applications for HEAP, SNAP and/or housing. Exploring transportation opportunities as needed. Complete Baseline Assessments and Social Casework Level 1 services for the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB). Recommend appropriate services once the assessment is completed. Explore entitlement assistance, housing opportunities, and provide case management services for the Social Casework Level 1 services. Provide social casework as needed for NYSCB Adaptive Living Program (ALP) consumers. Educate CABVI visually impaired employees about the potential impact employment may have on benefits. Teach them how to report income, track work related expenses, communicate with social security, how to maintain financial records and document income. Advocate for employees. Provide training and information to CABVI management as it relates to this topic. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their application to complex casework, groupwork, and community problems. Considerable knowledge of a wide range of behavior and psychosocial problems and diagnosis and treatment. Considerable knowledge of family and group \dynamics, a range of intervention techniques, governmental and private organizations, resources in the community, laws, regulations, and policies which govern the program, methods and principles of casework supervision and training. Skill in establishing rapport with a client and in applying techniques or assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of client problems. COMMUNICATION SKILLS Must have ability to effectively present information, and respond to questions from children, parents, professionals and the general public. Must have ability to develop the consumers confidence and self-esteem. Requires excellent listening skills. WORK ENVIRONMENT Must be available for evening or weekend agency related functions, which may be outside of the agency. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Masters in social work required with a minimum of two years experience in human services. Certified NY State LMSW or LCSW required. Must meet the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, Department of Special Education and the Department of Health personnel standards. Experienced with visually impaired population a plus. Knowledge of social security and other financial aid programs, such as HEAP and SNAP are helpful. Must meet the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, Department of Special Education and the Department of Health personnel standards. Experienced with visually impaired population a plus.