Adult Protective Services Specialist - Salem - 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.

Balance is required in this job! Balance the need for and individual’s safety with their right to make choices about their own care. Balance field work investigating potential abuse with report writing and paperwork needs.

Recruitment #: 387-10-24

Closes: Open Until Filled (Last day for internal lateral transfer: 10/29/24)

Location: Salem, OR

Salary: $5,034 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.

Employee paid: Deferred Compensation, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, Colonial Life Supplemental Plans, Legal Shield.

General Description

Investigate and report allegations of abuse against people with disabilities and older adults, as required under state and federal mandate.

Essential Functions

1. Investigates complaints or allegations of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation and serious self-neglect involving seniors, age 65 years and older, and persons with physical disabilities, age 18 years and older
2. Performs assessments for case planning and intervention
3. Completes a written report that encompasses the evidence gathered during the investigation
4. Conducts investigations into allegations in facility settings
5. Promotes person centered services
6. Protects consumers and reduces Agency risk
7. Provides excellent service in a professional manner

1. Investigates complaints or allegations of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation and serious self-neglect involving seniors, age 65 years and older, and persons with physical disabilities, age 18 years and older.

• Perform overall assessment of the consumer’s physical, social, psychological, environmental, and financial situation
• Conduct unannounced interviews with all pertinent parties within the mandated timeframe
• Interview potential witnesses and gather evidence pertinent to the investigation
• Develop and implement protective services intervention plans using the least intrusive methods possible
• Maintain confidentiality of the information gathered during the investigation in accordance to the Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes

2. Performs assessments for case planning and intervention

• Work closely with other disciplines towards resolution of abuse/neglect cases
• Participate in the monthly Multi-Disciplinary Team Meeting to build collaborative relationships with Community Partners
• Gather evidence for civil and criminal court proceedings; provide testimony as required
• Determine the nature and extent of endangerment and implement protective measures to prevent further abuse from occurring
• Provide in-service training to facility staff regarding mandatory reporting of abuse/neglect

3. Completes a written report that encompasses the evidence gathered during the investigation

• Review the information and make a determination as to whether or not the allegation occurred and if wrongdoing is substantiated or unsubstantiated based on a preponderance of evidence
• Ensure the report is completed within the designated timeframe

4. Conducts investigations into allegations in facility settings

• Review and gather facility documentation to determine abuse and/or neglect in accordance with Oregon Administrative Rules
• Conduct interviews with staff and facility administration to gather relevant information
• Understand and interpret Medications Administration Records, Physician’s Orders, Care Plans, Progress Notes, etc. to determine if the facility provided care in accordance with the rules
• Work collaboratively with APD during investigations to ensure resident safety in facilities

5. Promotes person centered services

• Embrace and exhibit the Agency Mission and Core Values
• Understand the role of consumer choice
• Interact with the public, consumers, co-workers and others in a patient, respectful and culturally appropriate manner
• Educate self and others of resources available for populations served, including researching electronic and written materials and Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon resource database
• Understand other Agency resources and accessing resources and assistance to consumers as needed

6. Protects consumers and reduces Agency risk

• Follow policies, regulations and requirements of project and Agency; document plan and progress as required
• Serve as a Mandatory Reporter of suspected abuse of vulnerable populations as required by policy and regulation
• Maintain and sharing information according to privacy regulations

7. Provides excellent service in a professional manner

• Meet the needs of consumers, follow through, meeting deadlines, and maintain skills and knowledge to perform the job
• Apply the required knowledge and skills and exhibit critical thinking and problem solving
• Exhibit good decision making, problem solving and work habits
• Meet quality standards in accuracy, judgment, timeliness and following policy and procedure
• Exhibit good work habits, including organizational skills, regular attendance, working independently, seeking and offering assistance when needed
• Exhibit technology skills related to the work needing to be done, (word processing, spreadsheets, database, internet research, mail, IM, phones, copiers, etc.)
• Regular attendance to meet the demands of this job and provide necessary services.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Keyword: protective services, investigating
Required Experience:

Minimum Qualifications – Experience and Education

A qualified applicant will have a minimum of four (6) years of equivalent combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities required. The following qualifications meeting the minimum requirements will be considered:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, humanities, or liberal arts
• Two years of experience in social service or service-related work, OR three years of experience working or volunteering with seniors and/or people with disabilities

(For Bilingual positions only)

• Successful completion of a language proficiency test

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Protective Services Workers must have the following job-specific skills, knowledge and the ability to:

• Make decisions regarding safety of any situation, for self and others, prior to conducting an investigation
• Use judgment to determine when law enforcement contact is needed, and determine when EMT or ambulance assistance is needed
  • Knowledge of the social model underlying adult protective services and an understanding of the theory of adult protection
  • Knowledge of federal and state laws and Oregon Administrative Rules pertaining to adult protective services and the ability to research and interpret these regulations
  • Knowledge of, and commitment to, rules governing consumer confidentiality, mandatory reporting, provider records, and investigations
  • Know local resources to assist with planning for interventions and support for victims
  • Have knowledge of legal requirements regarding guardianship, conservatorship, power of attorney, restraining orders, and advance directives
  • Knowledge of social casework methods and techniques, and their application to individual cases including problems of placement in care facilities
  • General understanding of the principles of gerontology and the ability to work effectively with consumers and to use good judgment in handling individual case problems
  • Knowledge of functions and scope of public and private agencies, law enforcement agencies, and facilities providing social support services to seniors and to people with disabilities
  • Knowledge of sources for obtaining case data and ability to analyze and evaluate case data
  • Prepare concise and complete case records and related reports; prepare and provide testimony at hearings
  • Perform competent, holistic, assessments of adults in high risk situations and effectively interview people to secure specific types of information, including investigative interviewing with potentially uncooperative interviewees
  • De-escalate volatile and difficult situations to ensure the safety of the consumers
  • Working knowledge of, and the ability to apply basic word processing applications, basic spreadsheet applications, basic database applications, basic communication applications (e-mail), and other general office computer applications
  • Provide outreach services such as serving on committees, multi-disciplinary teams, and speaking to community groups

Protective Services Workers must have the following general skills, including the ability to:

• Understand and interpret applicable policies and apply them to problem-solving and decision-making in order to serve external and internal customers
• Apply the knowledge and skills in a timely, accurate, and efficient manner to meet deadlines
• Work with minimal supervision, and manage a high volume of work with critical deadlines
• Organize and prioritize work to meet required time timeframes
• Multi-task
• Collaborate and coordinate with others
• Build relationships and network
• Exhibit excellent interpersonal communication and listening skills
• Exhibit good judgment, and use courtesy and tact
• Maintain professionalism and composure when met with potentially hostile and/or irrational behavior
• Speak, read, write, and understand English
• Intermediate computer skills and ability to use word processing, database applications, and e-mail
• Follow verbal and written instruction
• Know and commit to abide by rules governing consumer confidentiality and mandatory reporting

(For Bilingual positions only)

Ensure Non-English speaking consumers receive services

• Communicate with and provide services to consumers whose primary language skills are non-English
• Serve as an interpreter for the Agency in the identified language pair, including oral and written, interpreting and explaining forms, rules, policies, etc.
• Translate written materials

Protective Services Workers must have the following skills, including the ability to:

• Support the agency’s mission, ethics, and values
• Secure and maintain a valid driver’s license in the state of Oregon, or an acceptable alternative means of transportation
• Commit to regular attendance as it is required to meet the demands of this job
• Pass a criminal background check successfully
• Maintain and share information according to privacy regulations
• Complete necessary work as assigned

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Protective Services Workers typically work in an office environment. 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 (in an agency or personal vehicle)
• 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 home or office environments may risk exposure to people with irrational/hostile behavior, contagious diseases, or 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: Adult Protective Services Specialist

Bilingual Adult Protective Services Specialist

Position Number: Varies

Salary Range: R21/R22 for bilingual

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Unit: APS and Licensing

Location: Varies

Reports to: APS and Licensing Manager

Union Status: Represented

Last Revision: March 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 Benefits: Medical Insurance (premium paid for employee, 90-98% for dependents) Dental Insurance (premium paid for employee, 90-98% for dependents) Employer paid Oregon Public Employees Retirement System Pre-tax plans for medical premiums, health care and dependent care expenses Long Term Disability Insurance Employee Assistance Program Generous Vacation, Health, Personal Leave Paid Holidays Flexible Work Schedules Voluntary Benefits (employee paid): Voluntary Life Insurance (employee paid) Voluntary Legal Insurance (employee paid) Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance (employee paid) Rivermark Credit Union Membership.

From: NorthWest Senior & Disability Services