Employment with JFS

Jewish Family Service MetroWest is committed to partnering with community synagogues, clergy, educators and lay leaders, in order to continue to support the social work needs of the congregations. JFSMW will assign a social worker to provide on-site consultation and social work services to the synagogue community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The JFS Synagogue Social Worker is placed at the synagogue for regularly scheduled number of hours per week, where they are available to provide:

• Consultation and training regarding mental health and social service perspectives to the Rabbi (s), Executive Director, Education Director, Program Director, Teachers or other clergy and the lay leadership of the congregation, to enhance their capacity to identify and respond to needs to congregants, as indicated.
• Assistance and guidance to designated synagogues committees, such as the Caring Committee, Bikur Cholim Committees, Social Action Committee, etc.
• Direct social work services for members of the Congregation that may include any or all of the following:
• Crisis intervention.
• Brief, time-limited counselling, to identify problem(s) and facilitate connection to and intervention by the most appropriate JFS service or other community referrals, as indicated.
• Case management, advocacy, and research to access services.
• Information and referral.
• Organize and facilitate support group(s):(Bereavement, Caregivers, Single Parent, Divorce, etc.)
• Organize and/or facilitate Jewish Family Life Education workshops and community education programming.
• Will attend Congregation and Agency Staff meetings, as needed
• Will meet with Agency supervisor, as needed,
  • Will report monthly statistics of services provided to Agency supervisor

PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in written form.
2. Ability to make home visits, if required.
3. May require ability to operate a motor vehicle.
4. Able to handle stress without significant impairment to functioning.
5. Ability to apply new learning to the practice environment.
6. Ability to absorb new ideas and attitudes.
7. Ability to form therapeutic relationship with clients and positive collegial relationships.
8. Ability to organize and manage workload.
9. Ability to keep records.
10. Familiarity with and sensitivity to Jewish identity (including its religious, ethical, cultural and social values).

CLINICAL/EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Graduation from an accredited mental health Master’s program (Ie: Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Marriage and Family Therapy)
2. NJ Licensure (IE: LSW, LAC, LCSW, LPC, LMFT)

The case manager assists a client in the coordination and delivery of multiple social and casework services for older adults located within the MetroWest catchment area. The case manager is supervised by the Coordinator of Older Adult Services.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assess clients’ physical, social, concrete and mental health needs, preferences and abilities.
2. Assist clients in identifying and developing goals and areas of need. Collaborate with client to develop care plan or appropriate intervention.
3. Assist client in the access to and coordination of the delivery of multiple services including, mental health, medical, food, financial, community and government resources, psychoeducational support in addition to other needs as they arise.
4. To maximize client self-determination and self-care, by actively involving the client in problem-solving and decision-making. Case Manager will provide a continuity of appropriate care/service, with goals of enhancement of autonomy and independence by improvement of maintenance of functioning.
5. Collaborate with community professionals to coordinate services and advocate on behalf of client
6. Develop relationships with key stakeholders and provide outreach and community education to create awareness about program.
7. Provide services through in person contact, zoom or by phone. In person contact may be in public spaces (such as township offices or libraries) or when appropriate, within a client’s home.
8. Assist in identifying unmet service needs, and to seek out those resources-internal and external to JFS- which would close the gap between what is needed and available including: psychoeducational workshops and groups, etc.
9. Responsible for up-to-date record keeping and report writing, as needed. Enter case management clients into electronic health record and complete progress notes to document all contacts with clients. Complete and send weekly statistics to supervisor.
10. Complete a modified Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) for all new clients and readminister at designated intervals.
11. Attend and participation in JFS meetings
12. Participate in annual performance appraisal review process
13. Meet weekly or as needed for supervision with the Coordinator of Older Adult Services

Skills Required:

1. Mature development of oneself as a professional, with demonstrated knowledge of engagement relationship, and rapport skills.
2. Ability to form therapeutic relationship with clients and positive collegial relationships.
3. Ability to handle stress without significant impairment to functioning.
4. Ability to apply new learning to the practice environment.
5. Ability to absorb new ideas and attitudes.
6. Ability to organize and manage workload.
7. Ability to self-correct and be open to new learning which enhanced by the ability to absorb new information and skills.
8. Ability to communicate orally and in written form.
9. Ability to ambulate independently, as job requires.
10. Ability to make home visits, if required.
11. Ability to operate a motor vehicle and have a NJ Driver’s License in good standing
12. Knowledge of JFS mission, and identification with JFS purpose and mission.
13. Knowledge of Jewish values and use of Jewish values within an agency context, when appropriate.
14. Familiarity with and sensitivity to Jewish identity (including its religious, ethical, cultural and social values)

Education and Experience required:

1. A minimum of bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or similar human service field, Master’s degree preferred.
2. Case management work experience preferred