Protective Services Worker – Adult Protective Services - San Francisco Human Services Agency (2940) (X00049)

This is the entry-level class in the Protective Services Worker series. Adult Protective Services (APS) is a state-mandated program administered by the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF), HSA, and DAS. Under general supervision by the APS program, the Protective Services Worker (PSW) receives and responds to reports of suspected “elder” and “dependent adult” abuse including neglect, self-neglect, and financial abuse. The PSW performs professional investigations and case management services to victims of abuse. This includes activities related to evaluating the level of harm or risk of harm, to the person and the estate of an “elder” or “dependent adult;” assessing biopsychosocial functioning, including the medical condition, cognitive/psychological status, and adequacy of care and support system; orchestrating ongoing services to maximize the use of community resources, and to help protect victims from further harm once the case is closed.

Essential Duties and Functions

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Conducts unannounced visits to see elders and dependent adults in their living environment.
2. Investigates the allegations and conducts a risk assessment through interviewing the victim, family, relatives, neighbors, and others to assess for immediacy.
3. Arranges for immediate protective interventions and emergency services as necessary, including medical assessments, emergency shelter, or in-home protection, e.g. acts as a liaison on the medical aspects of the case with providers of services and other agencies that provide medical care, until the immediate dangers are resolved.
4. Gathers, documents, and reviews important detailed financial, personal, and confidential information, and writes investigative reports, findings, and service plan notes.
5. Conducts a needs assessment for clients in need of protective services.
6. Develops a Service Plan and organizes the initial care plan as appropriate, including supported decision-making activities.
7. Provides counseling for clients and significant others to alleviate the identified problems and to implement the service plan to restore optimum social functioning, and health adjustment within the client’s capacity; assists them in order to address personal and environmental difficulties, which perpetuate poor health and dysfunction, and interfere with self-care and self-protection.
8. Monitors the Service Plan and follows up through field visits and telephone contacts with clients, relatives, and other concerned individuals until the service goals have been achieved.
9. Assists with multidisciplinary team meetings with healthcare providers, hospitals, and the Public Health/Mental Health Department, and other City agencies involved to further their understanding of significant social and emotional factors underlying the client’s health, social, or environmental problems.
10. Designs interventions in collaboration with medical professionals, social service providers, law enforcement, or other relevant systems by contributing with information to help determine the level of care and services pertinent to the client’s welfare.
11. Provides education to individuals and agencies on the role and authority of APS.
12. Conducts public presentations about casework in a confidential, multi-disciplinary setting; collaborates and cooperates with the community and the CCSF partner agencies.
13. Uses a personal computer to prepare, review, and maintain records, correspondence, and reports; manages case documentation in an APS database; maintains timely email correspondence.