ADULT PROTECTION SPECIALIST 1 - 3 - State of Louisiana : Job Details

The Louisiana Department of Health is dedicated to fulfilling its mission through direct provision of quality services, the development and stimulation of services of others, and the utilization of available resources in the most effective manner.

LDH serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities.

This position is located within the Louisiana Department of Health / Office of Aging and Adult Services / Headquarters / East Baton Rouge Parish

Announcement Number: OAAS/DPT/203146

Cost Center: 320#######

Position Number(s): 178438

This vacancy is being announced as a Classified position and will be filled as a Job appointment.

(Job appointments are temporary appointments that may last up to 48 months).

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

Adult Protection Specialist 1-3

OCCUPATIONAL SUMMARY:

This position serves as the Adult Protective Services Specialist 1-3 in the Office of Aging and Adult Services in the Louisiana Department of Health. The incumbent is responsible for conducting investigations of reported allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and extortion of vulnerable adults residing in community settings, state-operated facilities, and/or unlicensed group home settings.

This position performs highly complex duties mandated by La R.S. 14:403.2 and La R.S. 15:1501-11, requiring the application of adult protective services program knowledge and skills in the areas of 1) determining if reports meet the criteria for services, 2) investigating reports of abuse/neglect/exploitation, 3) assessing disabled adults in at-risk situations, 4) determining what services or remedies are needed and developing and initiating appropriate interventions to alleviate the abuse or lower the risk to the adult, 5) monitoring the implementation of service plans to ensure the situation is stabilized, and 6) initiating referrals for appropriate civil and/or criminal legal action and working with legal staff, law enforcement, and/or district attorneys to carry out such actions.

The incumbent is primarily assigned to one LDH region. However, when workload demands, the incumbent may occasionally be required to work in other regions. General supervision from an Adult Protection Specialist Supervisor,

The position requires a thorough knowledge of laws and regulations relating to abuse of vulnerable adults, social work principles, and specific circumstances of persons with disabilities, community resources, crisis intervention skills, and the ability to work with persons of different cultures and ethnic groups, and values.

Investigative, analytical, decision-making, critical thinking, and case management functions are required at the skilled professional level. Insightful, independent judgment is required. The position requires the ability to function in adversarial conditions, defuse volatile or hostile situations, and may involve exposure to communicable diseases and hazardous conditions.

The incumbent must communicate effectively, both written and orally, with vulnerable and disabled individuals, healthcare professionals, social service providers, law enforcement, district attorneys, the courts, charitable organizations, churches, and clients with special communication needs. The position requires extensive travel within and outside the domicile's official region, often in high crime and/or isolated, remote areas.

A valid driver's license and personal means of transportation are required. A criminal background check may be required. Incumbents must adhere to the LDH and OAAS Telework Policies. Incumbents may be required to serve on-call in specific situations or when scheduled on a rotating basis. Work may be required outside the traditional 40-hour work week. The incumbent may be required to present investigative information and outcomes and/or testify in court regarding cases. The position requires computer skills, including the ability to download, upload, copy, and save computer files, write narratives, and enter data into an electronic database system. The incumbent must adhere to the profession's ethical standards and abide by departmental and office policies and procedures.

PREFERRED SKILLS

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Software, valid Driver's License and reliable transportation

Ability to travel frequently throughout all parishes within the state

Advanced level experience in accounting/ financial data analysis strongly preferred

*This position requires extensive travel throughout all parishes, advanced level experience in accounting/financial data analyses, ability to network with federal, state, municipal, non-profit, and private sector agency partners to investigate financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, unlicensed residential care communities, and other circumstances involving exploitation and extortion of vulnerable adult(Include any supplement information from EPAR attachments in this portion)

As part of a Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as a Adult Protection Specialist 1, 2 or 3 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s). The maximum salary for the Adult Protection Specialist 3 is $84,302. Please refer to the 'Job Specifications' tab located at the top of the LA Careers 'Current Job Opportunities' page of the Civil Service website for specific information on salary ranges, minimum qualifications and job concepts for each level.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the Apply link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

* Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*

A resume upload will NOT populate your information into your application. Work experience left off your electronic application or only included in an attached resume is not eligible to receive credit

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Debbie Parris-Thymes

[email protected]

LDH/HUMAN RESOURCES

BATON ROUGE, LA 70821

225 ###-####

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-###-####.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any of the following will qualify:

1. A master's degree in social work.

2. A master's degree in criminal justice; education with a concentration in special education or guidance and counseling; family life education (child development or early childhood education); psychology; sociology; applied sociology; vocational education; pastoral counseling; counseling; vocational rehabilitation counseling; vocational rehabilitation; rehabilitation counseling; or human development counseling.

3. A baccalaureate degree in social work plus one year of professional social services experience.

4. A baccalaureate degree plus two years of professional social services experience.

SUBSTITUTIONS (FOR OPTION 4 ONLY):

Six years of full-time work experience in any field may be substituted for the required baccalaureate degree.

Candidates without a baccalaureate degree may combine work experience and college credit to substitute for the baccalaureate degree as follows:

A maximum of 120 semester hours may be combined with experience to substitute for the baccalaureate degree.

30 to 59 semester hours credit will substitute for one year of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.

60 to 89 semester hours credit will substitute for two years of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.

90 to 119 semester hours credit will substitute for three years of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.

120 or more semester hours credit will substitute for four years of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.

College credit earned without obtaining a baccalaureate degree may be substituted for a maximum of four years full-time work experience towards the baccalaureate degree. Candidates with 120 or more semester hours of credit, but without a degree, must also have at least two years of full-time work experience to substitute for the baccalaureate degree.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Possession of a valid Louisiana driver's license at the time of appointment may be required.

NOTE:

Some positions may require regulation as a Registered Social Worker (RSW), Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

NOTE:

Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.

NOTE:

The baccalaureate or master's degree in social work must be from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, 1701 Duke Street, Suite 200 Alexandria, VA 22314.

FUNCTION OF WORK:

To provide entry-level specialized social services to clients in the protective services program.

LEVEL OF WORK:

Entry.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Close from an Adult Protection Specialist Supervisor, a higher level professional, or an administrator.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None.

LOCATION OF WORK:

Typically, the Department of Health and Hospitals.

JOB DISTINCTIONS:

Differs from Adult Protection Specialist 2 by the presence of close supervision and the absence of independent action.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

50% Conducts intake or conducts investigations and/or assessments of reports of complex cases involving abuse, neglect, self-neglect, exploitation, or extortion of adults who have physical, mental, developmental, or age-related disabilities and whose disability substantially impairs the ability for self-care, and who live in community settings or in licensed or contract LDH facilities. Cases frequently involve multiple allegations, and clients may have multiple disabilities, i.e., severe developmental deficits, psychiatric disorders, substance abuse and/or physical disabilities. Allegations may include but are not limited to sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation. Obtains information from interviews with clients, collaterals, providers, physicians, and others, review of records, and personal observation. Uses specialized training and skills to assess the client's need for services and crisis intervention and determine the allegations' validity.

The incumbent m ay also conduct investigations in licensed nursing facilities, licensed or unlicensed adult residential care facilities, state-operated 24-hour psychiatric clinics, developmental centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, and other facilities as required.

Assesses the adult's home environment, living situation, functional and mental capacity, and other factors in determining the risk of harm to the adult and the need for crisis intervention.

Arranges or coordinates crisis intervention services needed for the adult's immediate safety, i.e., removal and placement in temporary shelter, orders of protective custody for medical or mental health evaluation and/or treatment, removal of alleged perpetrators from the home, provision of respite services, etc. Establishes the adult's ability to make decisions based on personal assessment, review of existing medical and psychological records, interviews with treating professionals, and/or evaluation by appropriate professionals. Works with coroner, service agencies, law enforcement, district attorneys, and agency legal staff to initiate legal actions necessary to protect the adult.

Writes and maintains highly confidential case files and records, prepares, and submits reports to OAAS central office. Accesses client history and other data systems, inputs case data, compiles reports, and updates client records and case information using computer and remote access technology.

30% Develops, in coordination with appropriate agencies/professionals, a service plan to address immediate and long-term issues contributing to the abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Implements the plan and monitors compliance by providers, family members, and others to ensure the situation is stabilized and/or the risk to the adult is reduced. Advocates for the adult to obtain needed services and/or benefits when necessary. Intervention plans may also include arranging or providing services to other family members, such as counseling, caregiver training, support groups, etc., or to the perpetrator of the abuse, such as mental health or substance abuse treatment.

10% In accordance with agency policy and state laws, refers cases and/or coordinates investigations with law enforcement and prepares and submits reports to district attorneys and/or courts. Assists law enforcement/district attorneys in pursuing criminal charges against perpetrators. Recommends the civil legal actions necessary to protect adults, such as restraining orders, orders for protective services, or protective custody orders, and coordinates and consults with supervisors, LDH attorneys and/or district attorneys to initiate such actions. Prepares and submits affidavits and reports for court and testifies at court proceedings.

10% Attends and participates in formal and informal training programs and seminars relative to adult abuse/neglect, investigative and assessment techniques, legal issues, safety procedures, and other job-related duties. May provide training to other staff in selected areas of expertise and may also provide on-the-job training for less experienced workers.

Attends and participates in meetings and/or staffing with health professionals, service providers, and other agencies regarding mutual clients or general issues concerning disabled adults. Conducts educational presentations or in-service training for community groups, agencies, providers, etc., on adult abuse/neglect and the role of APS and participates in the Adult Protective Services Coordinating Councils.

* Performs other related duties as assigned.