School Social Worker

Basic function

Participates as the Social Worker on the school team who is involved with each child on their caseload based on educational and developmental needs. Designs and provides social-emotional evaluations, treatment needs planning, goal setting, and administration of Social Work treatment programs as a member of the interdisciplinary team supporting each individual student who has been identified as requiring Social Work services within their Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Principle responsibilities

• Implements assessment/treatment/care based on the function and developmental stages of the student;
• Evaluates students utilizing evidence-based techniques;
• Develops, administers and instructs students in performance of all aspects of the social-emotional portion of the Individual Education Plan, assessing the effectiveness and modifying as necessary, the IEP in order to effectively meet students’ needs;
• Communicates and works in cooperation with families, educators, therapists, and medical specialists on students’ team to provide optimal student care and outcomes;
• Considers the developmental needs of students, involves students and family/guardian in plan of care development; conducts student and family education, as appropriate;
• Assists with planning and conducting in-service programs and participates in staff meetings, conferences, and educational programs;
• Prepares and completes all student records in a timely manner and ensures documentation in the format of each district’s preference;
• Completes progress and outcomes documentation;
• Maintains an assigned caseload, develops short and long-term goals for each student, designs individualized programs, and works in concert with the team to encourage highest level of growth and functional independence;
• Prepares case notes, progress reports, and other documentation on individual students, authorizes necessary services, ascertains progress, and identifies diagnostic and functional needs;
• Evaluates students for services to determine eligibility based upon student records, testing results, and school district, state and federal rules and regulations;
• Prepares Individualized Education Plan (IEP), instructional plans, and/or vocational plans, ensuring coordination of plan with overall service providers and coordination of objectives;
• Participates in the development of new methods for instructional techniques specifically designed for our students who may be blind or visually impaired, and inclusive of students who with multiple, severe to profound disabilities;
• Maintains confidential records inclusive of case files, progress notes and other documentation and student confidentiality in all aspects of the school;
• Performs all other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Specifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work required;
• Professional Educator License (PEL) Endorsed in School Support Personnel required;
• C.P.R. certification preferred;
• Must possess excellent communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills;
• Two or more years of experience working on an interdisciplinary team in coordination of care and team supports preferred;
• Experience working with pediatric and school age population is preferred;
• Commitment to the Lighthouse mission of providing opportunities for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, multi-disabled and our nation’s veterans is essential.

• Employee Benefits
• 1 hour vacation time per 35 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year
• 1 hour sick time per 35 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year
• Employee recognition events
• Company matched 401(k) plan
• The Chicago Lighthouse Children's Development Center is a year-round therapeutic day school where team members receive paid respite throughout the year, including one week in the fall, spring, summer, and August before the new school year, plus a two-week winter respite.

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The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired is an Equal Opportunity Employer in full compliance with local, state, and federal Civil Rights & Affirmative Action laws. The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired maintains a strong policy of accommodation and a consistent practice of employing qualified individuals with disabilities. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, sexual orientation, military status, order of protection status or unfavorable discharge from military service.