Adult Protective Services Screener - NorthWest Senior & Disability Services

We look for individuals in our organization who are passionate about our mission and values, and providing excellent customer service.

We value our employees, working closely with them to help them be successful. We value the people we provide services to, ensuring they receive the highest quality of customer service.

Recruitment #: 237-07-24

Closes: November 13, 2024 (Last day for internal lateral transfer: 8/6/24)

Location: Salem, OR

Salary: $4,566 per month, with excellent benefits (Please see below).

Agency Sponsored: Medical/Dental 100% paid for employee and 90-98% for dependents: generous Paid-time off, Public Employee Retirement (PERS), Employee Assistance Plan, Long Term Disability, great culture.

General Description

Meets Agency Mission by providing screening, intake and assignment of potential abuse/neglect cases from a variety of complaint sources, including the public, law enforcement, hospitals and health agencies.

Essential Functions

1. Conduct screening, intake and assignment of potential abuse/neglect cases
2. Maintain knowledge of community resources and educate others
3. Serve as backup to Protective Services Worker conducting investigations into potential abuse and neglect claims, as needed
4. Work effectively with community partners such as Mental Health, Developmental Disability professionals, Fire Department, Law Enforcement Agencies, etc.
5. Facilitate confidence in APS Screener, and therefore the Agency and programs
6. Protect consumers and reduce Agency risk
7. Provide excellent customer service in a professional manner

1. Conduct screening, intake and assignment of potential abuse/neglect cases

• Provide comprehensive screening/intake of potential adult abuse/neglect complaints from a variety of sources
• Receive information via phone, fax, e-mail, mail, and in-person on allegations of abuse
• Review information received and determine if the consumer is within Adult Protective Services’ jurisdiction to assign according to rule
• Understand and interpret Oregon Administrative Rules
• Determine if the information reported meets criteria for assignment
• Determine required response times for assigned referrals
• Determine when a reported victim in in imminent danger and contact law enforcement
• Determine case priority and assigns or refers to appropriate individuals or agencies for follow-up within mandated time frames
• Ensure screening is completed efficiently and effectively, remaining aware and flexible with changing policies and procedures

2. Maintain knowledge of community resources and educate others

• Provide callers with information on resources when the referral does not meet criteria for assignment
• Obtain an understanding of the criteria community partners have to assist consumers so referrals are made correctly
• Serve as a resource to Agency staff for consultation/intervention regarding possible APS referrals

3. Serve as backup to Protective Services Worker conducting investigations into abuse and neglect claims, as needed

• Assist in gathering evidence for civil and criminal court proceedings
• Provide testimony as required

4. Work effectively with community partners such as Mental Health, Developmental Disability professionals, Fire Department, Law Enforcement agencies, etc.

• Initiate referral contact with Mental Health and Developmental Disability professionals
• Coordinate responses with Fire Department and Law Enforcement agencies

5. Facilitate confidence in APS Screener, and therefore the Agency and programs

• Embrace and exhibit the Agency Mission and Core Values
• Provide excellent customer service
• Meet the needs of consumers by following through, meeting deadlines, and interacting with others in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner
• Maintain the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively perform duties
• Provide suggestions for improvement

6. Protect consumers and reduce Agency risk

• Follow policies, regulations and requirements of the program and Agency
• Provide documentation as set forth by Federal, State, funding regulations and Agency policy
• Serve as Mandatory Reporter of suspected abuse of vulnerable populations according to and as required by policy and regulations
• Maintain and share information according to privacy regulations

7. Provide excellent customer service in a professional manner

• Apply the required knowledge and skills
• Exhibit sound decision making and problem solving
• Meet quality standards in accuracy and timeliness
• Follow policies and procedures
• Work independently, but seek and offer assistance as needed
• Exhibit the technology skills related to the required work (word processing, spreadsheets, database, internet research, mail, email and IM communications, phones, copiers, etc.)
• Exhibit a positive attitude towards consumers, co-workers, supervisors, and other constituents
• Regular attendance to meet the demands of this job and provide necessary services

Job-Specific Skills

• Knowledge of federal and state laws and Oregon Administrative Rules pertaining to adult protective services; ability to research and interpret these regulations
• General understanding of the principles of gerontology; and the ability to work effectively with clients in handling individual case problems
• Knowledge of the social model underlying adult protective services and an understanding of the theory of adult protection
• Knowledge of functions and scope of public and private agencies, law enforcement agencies, and facilities providing social support services to the elderly and disabled
• Knowledge of available sources for obtaining case data; and ability to analyze and evaluate case data, prepare concise case records and related reports, and provide testimony at hearings
• Ability to perform competent, holistic, assessments of older adults and people with disabilities in high risk situations and effectively interview people to secure specific types of information
• Working knowledge of, and the ability to apply, basic word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, communication applications (e-mail), and other general office computer applications

General Skills Needed to Meet Agency Expectations

Must be able and willing to perform the following:

• Support the agency mission and exemplify its core values—integrity, professionalism, service, and compassion
• Serve as a mandatory reporter of suspected cases of neglect, exploitation, and abuse of vulnerable populations as required by policy and regulation, and make the appropriate referral to a responsible agency such as Child or Adult Protective Services Units
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, rules governing client confidentiality, mandatory reporting, provider records, and investigations
• Ability to work independently, organize and structure own work, and exercise initiative
• Ability to understand and interpret applicable policies and apply them to problem-solving and decision-making in order to serve external and internal clients
• Interact and work effectively with others in a team to deliver services to consumers
• Demonstrate good interpersonal communication skills through written, verbal, and nonverbal communication
• Use sound organizational skills to meet deadlines in a timely, accurate, and efficient manner
• Speak, read, write, and understand English and follow verbal and written instruction
• Perform other work as assigned by the supervisor
• Ability to handle callers that are experiencing strong emotions, in a crisis, or can be frustrated with the decision made by the screener

Keyword: protective services, investigating
Required Experience:

Minimum Qualifications - Experience and Education

A qualified applicant will have a minimum of six (6) years of equivalent combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the essential functions of this position. The following is preferred but all qualifications meeting the minimum requirements will be considered:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or related field of study
• Work experience with social service programs in a similar capacity with similar populations.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Adult Protective Services Screeners works in the community. They:

• Use a computer, telephone, and other office equipment
• Need to tolerate and be able to work where the noise level is that of a typical office
• Travel to consumers’ homes or care settings to meet with consumers (in an agency or personal vehicle)
• Work on site at a social services entity and health care facility
• May encounter frequent interruptions throughout the work day
• Are regularly required to sit, talk, or hear
• Use repetitive hand motions
• Must be able to handle objects and sustain a sense of touch
• Must be able to stand, walk, reach, and bend
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds

Contact with the public in homes, facilities, or office environments may risk exposure to people with contagious diseases or irrational/hostile behavior and contact with domestic animals.

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Requirements

To be successful, candidates must:

• Secure and maintain a valid Oregon driver’s license or have an acceptable alternative means of transportation
• Attend work regularly to meet the demands of this job and to provide necessary services
• Complete and pass a criminal background check

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Classification: APS Screener

Position Number: Varies

Salary Range: R21

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Unit: Protective Services and Licensing

Location: Salem

Reports To: APS/Licensing Manager

Union Status: Represented

Last Revision Date: July 2024

This job description is a general guide for the job to be performed and does not cover everything. Employees may be required to perform other duties, including covering for, and in, other offices. Employees are expected to follow and perform other job-related duties requested by their manager.

Benefits:

Agency Sponsored: Medical/Dental 100% paid for employee and 90-98% for dependents, generous Paid-time off, Public Employee Retirement (PERS), Employee Assistance Plan, Long Term Disability, great culture. Employee paid: Deferred Compensation, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability

From: NorthWest Senior & Disability Services