GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES SPECIALIST 1
DEFINITION:
Under the close supervision of a supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, assists in providing guardianship services to assigned clients in various community living arrangements, developmental centers, and private residential facilities; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Completes a psychosocial assessment including information on mental status, physical status, social history, and current living arrangements for elderly individuals, and presents these facts at the Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults (OPGEA) care conferences.
Monitors client status and needs through periodic visitations.
Initiates referrals to federal, state, and local agencies to determine eligibility for assistance programs.
Rotates on-call coverage with social service staff to be available for client medical emergencies.
Prepares prearrangements for clients’ funerals.
Renders substitute decisions on behalf of clients relative to proposed medical or behavioral treatment, transfers or major changes in program, discharges, and other requests or recommendations requiring informed consent.
Communicates regularly with families to restore, maintain, or improve interrelationship with clients as well as to provide information and/or interpretation regarding the client's status and needs.
Monitors investigations of reported or suspected incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Ensures protection of the client's legal and civil rights including the right to the least restrictive or intrusive alternative in any range of programmatic, treatment, or residential options.
Advocates for the client's receipt of entitlements including access to appropriate health services, education and training, work, and recreation and social opportunities.
Represents client at Individual Habilitation Plan meetings via attendance or other means of input and monitors implementation of client's Individual Habilitation Plan.
Participates with functional service staff in case conferences and team meetings addressing problems, issues, and needs affecting individuals or groups of clients.
Attends and participates in Human Rights Committee meetings at developmental centers and/or regional offices as assigned by the District Supervisor.
Prepares and maintains essential records, reports, evaluations, and all other correspondence in the course of official duties.
Develops and maintains a cooperative working relationship with other agencies within and outside of the division and establishes a positive public image of guardianship services.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Five (5) years of professional experience working in the social service field with the developmentally disabled or as a special education teacher or with elderly individuals.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of theory, principles, methods, equipment, and techniques of habilitation systems for mentally disabled adults.
Knowledge of rights issues particularly as they affect the developmentally and physically disabled or elderly individuals.
Knowledge in the interviewing and selection process.
Ability to apply theories, methods, equipment, and techniques of habilitation systems for the developmentally disabled adult or elderly individuals.
Ability to work cooperatively with staff, other state agencies, and the public.
Ability to prepare complex correspondence, reports, and studies.
Ability to analyze individual and general programmatic needs and to make recommendations based on this analysis.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
