Social Worker G124 Fire & EMS - Community Care

The Social Worker works under the general direction of the Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services. This is a civilian (non-sworn) position within the Fire-EMS Department. The Social Worker, with an emphasis on case management, is responsible for supporting the Columbus Correct Care (CCC) initiative, which focuses on providing integrated medical, behavioral, and social services to vulnerable community members. The Social Worker will work collaboratively with EMS personnel, healthcare providers, and community agencies to connect utilizers of emergency services and individuals with complex needs to appropriate resources. This position will have broad visibility across community health initiatives and will play a critical role in reducing unnecessary EMS transports, improving patient outcomes, and addressing social determinants of health. This is an externally facing position engaging with community members in the field on a regular basis. General responsibilities include:

• Supporting the CCC mission to provide the right care at the right time.
• Promoting organizational values of professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence.
• Facilitating partnerships between Fire-EMS and community stakeholders to enhance service delivery.

The following duties are typical for the Social Worker position:

• Care Coordination and Advocacy – Provide resource navigation, client advocacy, and care planning for individuals requiring social support (housing, food security, mental health).
• Community Engagement – Conduct in-home visits and follow-up assessments for referred patients; participate in outreach programs targeting underserved populations.
• Collaborative Partnerships – Work closely with CCC partners, Fire and EMS personnel, and external agencies to deliver integrated care solutions.
• Program Development – Assist in developing culturally competent, non-emergency services for vulnerable populations.
• Data and Compliance – Maintain accurate records, ensure HIPAA compliance, and participate in data collection and reporting for program evaluation.
• Training and Education – Provide feedback and training to Fire and EMS personnel related to CCC initiatives.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Employees at all levels are expected to work effectively together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example, demonstrate the highest level of ethics, carry out a continuous effort to improve operations, work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide continuous improvement and customer-driven service.

• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

Program Management:

• Coordinate care plans and monitor progress.
• Facilitate partnerships and maintain stakeholder relationships.

Compliance and Documentation:

• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with legal and departmental standards.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work in varied environments, including homes, shelters, and field settings.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health, or Community Health-related field. Minimum of three (3) years of experience in social service assessments, crisis intervention, and care planning. Valid Georgia driver’s license. U.S. citizen or resident alien. Must pass drug screen and background check. Licensed Social Worker. Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health, or Community Health-related field. Experience in community health or emergency services. Familiarity with Mobile Integrated Healthcare programs. Knowledge of local social service resources. Experience in case management. The work is typically performed while standing or walking for long periods of time. The employee must lift 25 pounds or more, reach with arms and hands, and be able to stoop, kneel or crouch. The work is performed in a medical clinic. The employee may be exposed to noise, machinery with moving parts, contagious or infectious diseases, or irritating chemicals. The employee is in a non-confined office-type setting in which he or she is free to move about at will. In addition, the employee may travel via personal vehicle or public transportation throughout the community. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.
• Crawling – moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.
• Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine.
• Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
• Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Hearing 2 – receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
• Manual Dexterity – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.
• Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.
• Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.
• Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Standing – for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.
• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word .
• Talking 2 – shouting to be heard above ambient noise.
• Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

Work is performed in a combination of office and residential settings. The employee may regularly travel to and enter patients’ homes to provide services and perform assigned duties. Home environments may vary and may expose the employee to different temperatures, household conditions, pets, smoke, odors, noise, and other environmental factors. The position may require interaction with patients and family members in their homes and may involve exposure to individuals with illnesses or other health-related conditions. The employee must follow established safety, infection-control, and departmental procedures while performing duties in the field. Office duties are generally performed in a standard office environment with typical lighting, temperature, and noise levels. Local travel between the office, patients’ residences, and other assigned locations may be required.