Position Overview

Under direction, serves on a statewide hotline as guardianship liaison for all DCFS youth in care; within 24 hours of the initiation of a request, provides verbal and/or written consents for requests, including but not limited to routine and ordinary medical, specific medical or surgical, psychotropic medication, hospital admissions and discharges, release of information, travel (less than 30 days), research, activities for school and camp, and psychological treatments for children under DCFS custody and guardianship; serves as an advocate for children in DCFS care, making determinations regarding medical and psychological service needs; gathers and analyzes information, providing recommendations to management regarding life support issues; works to ensure that consent approvals and denials are received by caseworker and provider on the same day as processed; clinically reviews, assesses, and provides consent to private agency providers concerning DCFS youth in care; monitors medically complex cases; on a rotating basis, serves as supervisor in his/her absence.

Job Responsibilities

• Serves as Consent Unit Specialist

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  Serves as an advocate for children in DCFS care, making determinations regarding medical and psychological service needs

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  Works to ensure that consent approvals and denials are received by caseworker and provider on the same day as processed

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  Clinically reviews, assesses, and provides consent to private agency providers concerning DCFS youth in care

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  Monitors medically complex cases

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  On a rotating basis, serves as supervisor in his/her absence

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  Provides in-service training regarding the coordination of guardianship services with case-related functions to DCFS and private agency staff, health care providers, etc.

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  On an as-needed basis, testifies in court regarding consent issues

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  Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires a master’s degree in social work

2. Requires two years of directly related professional experience as a Child Welfare Specialist or Child Protection Specialist in the Department of Children and Family Services

The college or university issuing a master’s degree must be accredited, and the degree program in social work must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

Employment Conditions

• Requires a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance
• Requires ability to pass a background check
• Requires physical, visual and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties

About the Agency

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting families. In every effort, from receiving hotline calls to reaching family reunification or foster care and adoption, children and families are our focus.