Caseworker

This is a grant-funded position for one year, with an expected end date of June 30, 2021. Continued employment is contingent upon available funding.

La Comunidad Hispana (LCH) offers a comprehensive scope of healthcare, social services, outreach, and education programs to low-income, underserved families living and working in Southern Chester County. As a Federally Qualified Health Center and Patient-Centered Medical Home, LCH provides fully integrated person-centered care in a bilingual and bicultural environment that encourages compliance and fosters improved patient outcomes. Using a holistic approach to care, LCH changes lives by serving southern Chester County as the leading provider of integrated health and community services.

The Caseworker at LCH assists clients by providing quality services in the most efficient and effective manner possible; collaborating with clients to assess needs, develop goals, implement plans, and obtain appropriate services. Additionally, casework encompasses close collaboration and advocacy with government and private agencies, other professionals, and members of the community. Casework is an important component of services offered at LCH and is based on the recognition that a trusting and empowering relationship between the Caseworker and the client is central to restoring and enhancing the client’s independent functioning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as interpreter for any department within LCH for any duration of time as assigned by immediate supervisor.
• Assist clients in accessing emergency services for basic needs such as housing and food.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of basic and complex benefits applications and renewals; remain up to date with relevant policy and procedure to maximize benefits eligibility for members of LCH catchment area community, including those without documents
• Coordination of care and goal setting for high-need, resource-disconnected clients with self-sufficiency as goal. Document client assessment, strengths, goals, and plan of action in appropriate database.
• Perform client intake to assess presenting need. Document client information in the Refer system. Ensure all client interactions begin with a warm greeting and end with a clear understanding of resolution or next steps. All client intakes must have documentation of whether the presenting issue was resolved or unresolved. Unresolved cases must clearly define next steps to include what is the responsibility of the Caseworker and the client.
• Notify clients of COVID-19 related information, including test results.
• Provide written and oral interpretation/translation.
• Provide information and referral to community resources; provide support to local agencies.
• Provide education regarding transportation services.
• Advocate for clients by acting as their voice or as a support for their position on an issue.
• Complete a basic mental health assessment when indicated per protocol.
• Maintain knowledge of community resources. Refer to appropriate LCH programs or community providers as indicated.
• Follow up with clients and agencies as indicated per protocol. Follow-up on non-benefit applications within two business days. Follow-up on benefits applications within 30 days.
• Maintain timely and neat written and electronic case records. Document in Refer and maintain up to date client records.
• Provide support for Special Projects as needed.
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement initiatives.
• Promote LCH programs and services.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain regular attendance. Perform all duties in a timely manner. Attend All-Staff and Community Service team meetings as scheduled and/or directed by supervisor. Present individual cases to the Community Services team when appropriate.
• Follow all Community Services and LCH procedures including intake, charting, and reporting. Adhere to policies as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Function as a contributing member of a multidisciplinary team with staff of all LCH programs as appropriate to ensure efficient integration of services.
• Assure all relevant information pertaining to clients is disseminated to all appropriate staff members in a timely fashion.
• Respect confidentiality always; in public, in team meetings, in consultation, in the community, and at home.
• Attend training and workshops as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Job description subject to review and changes of business necessity.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bilingual in Spanish and English required
• BSW or Baccalaureate in relevant field of study required; Masters preferred
• Computer skills: experience with Excel, Word, and EMR preferred.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal communication skills.
• At least 2 years community-based casework experience preferred.
• Current Driver’s License (PA or DE).

LCH is a culturally competent, bilingual, bicultural agency. Equal Opportunity Employer.