[humanser] considering applying for a couple of positions feedbackrequested

[JD Townsend]

Lisa:

On being a liability.
I have worked with folks with chronic mental illnesses for a large part of my life as a social worker.  In 1980, at the start of my career, I had some of your same concerns.  What I have learned is that people react with aggression when they feel threatened.  It is not a random event.  Knowing this as fact enables us to know that our blindness is not a factor in causing violence or in being a victim.  

I have been trained in techniques to counter violent actions.  The most recommended method to protect and help a violently agitated person is Verbal de-escalation, and this technique we blind people have an advantage: excellent listening skills. Being listened to is what most upset people are looking for, and as blind people we are often less threatening that the light-dependent. 

Inform the interviewers of this advantage.


On case management skills:
Case management skills involve becoming a problem solver by listening to client concerns and helping to connect them with services.  This is not rocket science, but it does take someone who is eager to be helpful, but not overly so.  Learn the resources, done on the job from your fellows and resources from your local United Way.  If you can talk on the phone and locate and form relationships with people in other agencies you have it made.  

Inform the interviewers of how well you interact and develop professional relationships.


On electronic records.
As blind folks we all suffer and benefit from these records.  They offer us the ability to read and review most everything our agencies have on the client; this is an excellent improvement over older methods.  Some of these electronic records are not accessible, some are.  I have had good help from my State Blind Services to obtain help from an accessibility engineer to make my program almost fully accessible.  My suggestion is to have such a person readied by Blind Services to jump in as soon as you are hired.  

For years I used an alternative method; I scanned the required documents and converted them to Word documents.  Later filling them out in Word and having them scanned into the electronic records was my easy solution.  Just use your creativity.

Show the interviewers of your ability to be a problem solver.


Hope this helps. 


 
John D Townsend, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker  (SW3765)
Daytona Beach  FL   USA                                                                                

From: Lisa via HumanSer
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2018 2:09 AM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Cc: Peacefulwoman89 at cox.net
Subject: [humanser] considering applying for a couple of positions feedbackrequested

Hello, 

 

 

I'm attempting to apply for a county position as an entry-level social
worker with an employment and training program that targets folks with
mental health and co-occurring disorders who receive General Relief. Is
anyone on the list doing something similar? I'd like to hear from you. 

 

One of the questions asks about case management experience and electronic
case notes. My case management experience is bare-bones, and I have no
experience with electronic case notes. Beyond this, I think I have a
reasonable shot at getting an interview. How do I constructively address
this question? 

 

My experience stemmed from long-ago work in nursing homes as an Activity
Director with the credentials of a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. I've
developed in-takes and customized strengths-based inclusion plans and
leisure plans for at-risk youth. Feedback would be appreciated. 

 

I'm remotely entertaining the idea of applying for a part-time position
working at a crisis stabilization unit. I am confident I can supervise
clients in the kitchen, with ADLs and facilitate groups. I am concerned
about how to maintain client safety and my safety when clients may become
combative. How do other totally blind listers maintain safety and convince
employers you're not a liability hazard? 

 

Lastly, I need to update my email for this list and I'm not sure how to go
about it. Directions would be great. 

 

Thank you. 

 

In wellness,

Lisa Irving 

_______________________________________________
HumanSer mailing list
HumanSer at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for HumanSer:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/43210%40bellsouth.net