Adult Protection Specialist 1-3

Supplemental Information

The Louisiana Department of Health is dedicated to fulfilling its mission through direct provision of quality services, the development and stimulation of services of others, and the utilization of available resources in the most effective manner.

LDH serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities.

This position is located within the Louisiana Department of Health / Office of Aging and Adult Services / Headquarters / St Tammany Parish

Announcement Number: OAAS/DPT/205094

Cost Center: 3201033009

Position Number(s): 50365253

This vacancy is being announced as a Classified position and may be filled as a Probationary or Promotional appointment.

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

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  This position requires fulfillment of on-call duties during non-business hours, reliable personal transportation, valid driver's license, available space and high speed internet access within a home-based teleworking location, and availability to work during agency office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m.
• This position involves investigations of allegations of abuse of vulnerable and disabled adults, ages 18-59 and emancipated minors. Vulnerabilities may include diagnoses involving developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities, as well as behavioral health and serious mental illness diagnoses. Investigations assigned require in-person presence in residential settings within the communities, as well as within state-operated facilities.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office software programs, Zoom software, and Google applications

As part of a Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as a Adult Protection Specialist 1, 2 or 3 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s). The maximum salary for the Adult Protection Specialist 3 is $84,302.00 Please refer to the 'Job Specifications' tab located at the top of the LA Careers 'Current Job Opportunities' page of the Civil Service website for specific information on salary ranges, minimum qualifications and job concepts for each level.

Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*

A resume upload will NOT populate your information into your application. Work experience left off your electronic application or only included in an attached resume is not eligible to receive credit

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Debbie Parris-Thymes

Debbie.Parris-Thymes2@la.gov

LDH/HUMAN RESOURCES

BATON ROUGE, LA 70821

225 342-6477

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Four years of social services experience; OR

Six years of full-time work experience plus one year of social services experience; OR

A bachelor's degree plus one year of social services experience; OR

A master's degree in social work, a social science, education, counseling or vocational rehabilitation.

EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

Job Concepts

Examples of Work

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

50% Conducts intake or conducts investigations and/or assessments of reports of complex cases

involving abuse, neglect, self-neglect, exploitation, or extortion of adults who have physical,

mental, developmental, or age-related disabilities and whose disability substantially impairs the

ability for self-care, and who live in community settings or in licensed or contract LDH facilities.

Cases frequently involve multiple allegations, and clients may have multiple disabilities, i.e.,

severe developmental deficits, psychiatric disorders, substance abuse and/or physical disabilities.

Allegations may include but are not limited to sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, neglect,

abandonment, and financial exploitation. Obtains information from interviews with clients,

collaterals, providers, physicians, and others, review of records, and personal observation. Uses

specialized training and skills to assess the client's need for services and crisis intervention and

determine the allegations' validity.

The incumbent may also conduct investigations in licensed nursing facilities, licensed or

unlicensed adult residential care facilities, state-operated 24-hour psychiatric clinics,

developmental centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, and other facilities as required.

Assesses the adult's home environment, living situation, functional and mental capacity, and other

factors in determining the risk of harm to the adult and the need for crisis intervention. Arranges

or coordinates crisis intervention services needed for the adult's immediate safety, i.e., removal

and placement in temporary shelter, orders of protective custody for medical or mental health

evaluation and/or treatment, removal of alleged perpetrators from the home, provision of respite

services, etc. Establishes the adult's ability to make decisions based on personal assessment, review

of existing medical and psychological records, interviews with treating professionals, and/or

evaluation by appropriate professionals.

Works with coroner, service agencies, law enforcement,

district attorneys, and agency legal staff to initiate legal actions necessary to protect the adult.

Writes and maintains highly confidential case files and records, prepares, and submits reports to

OAAS central office. Accesses client history and other data systems, inputs case data, compiles

reports, and updates client records and case information using computer and remote access

technology.

30% Develops, in coordination with appropriate agencies/professionals, a service plan to address

immediate and long-term issues contributing to the abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Implements the

plan and monitors compliance by providers, family members, and others to ensure the situation is

stabilized and/or the risk to the adult is reduced. Advocates for the adult to obtain needed services

and/or benefits when necessary. Intervention plans may also include arranging or providing

services to other family members, such as counseling, caregiver training, support groups, etc., or

to the perpetrator of the abuse, such as mental health or substance abuse treatment.

10% In accordance with agency policy and state laws, refers cases and/or coordinates

investigations with law enforcement and prepares and submits reports to district attorneys and/or

courts. Assists law enforcement/district attorneys in pursuing criminal charges against

perpetrators. Recommends the civil legal actions necessary to protect adults, such as restraining

orders, orders for protective services, or protective custody orders, and coordinates and consults

with supervisors, LDH attorneys and/or district attorneys to initiate such actions. Prepares and

submits affidavits and reports for court and testifies at court proceedings.

10% Attends and participates in formal and informal training programs and seminars relative to

adult abuse/neglect, investigative and assessment techniques, legal issues, safety procedures, and

other job-related duties. May provide training to other staff in selected areas of expertise and may

also provide on-the-job training for less experienced workers.

Attends and participates in meetings and/or staffing with health professionals, service providers,

and other agencies regarding mutual clients or general issues concerning disabled adults. Conducts

educational presentations or in-service training for community groups, agencies, providers, etc.,

on adult abuse/neglect and the role of APS and participates in the Adult Protective Services

Coordinating Councils.

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  Performs other related duties as assigned