Per-Diem Social Worker - Vision Rehabilitation/Community-Based Services WNY Center for the Visually Impaired Buffalo, NY Job Details Part-time | Per diem $50 an hour 16 hours ago Benefits Travel reimbursement Mileage reimbursement Qualifications Experience working with individuals with disabilities Individual therapy Master's degree Driver's License Social Work Full Job Description Per-Diem Social Worker - Vision Rehabilitation Services Western New York Center for the Visually Impaired West Seneca, New York Job type: Part-time, per diem

Pay:

$50 per hour, plus mileage reimbursement

Hours:

Variable, typically based on client referrals; may range from 0-20 hours per week

Schedule:

Flexible, primarily weekdays Work setting: Community-based, including participant homes and other agreed-upon locations Position Summary The Western New York Center for the Visually Impaired is seeking a compassionate and experienced per-diem social worker to provide individualized social casework services to people who are blind or visually impaired. Services are provided in coordination with the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) and must directly address issues affecting a participant's ability to pursue educational, vocational, and employment goals. This is a flexible, caseload-dependent position. There are no guaranteed minimum hours. The social worker may accept assignments based on availability, participant needs, geographic location, and scheduling considerations. Primary Responsibilities Social Casework Level 1 Conduct evaluations and provide services designed to help participants adjust to vision loss, access appropriate resources, strengthen self-advocacy, and address barriers to education or employment.

Responsibilities may include:

Evaluating participants' social, emotional, financial, medical, behavioral, and environmental needs. Identifying available benefits and community resources, including SNAP, SSI, transportation, healthcare, housing, and other support programs. Assessing the participant's ability to manage financial obligations and access needed assistance. Reviewing relevant medical, psychiatric, and disability history, including concurrent conditions that may affect rehabilitation. Helping participants understand and comply with prescribed medications and treatment plans. Evaluating existing family, peer, and community support systems. Helping participants establish and maintain appropriate social supports, interpersonal skills, and personal boundaries. Teaching and reinforcing self-advocacy skills so participants can communicate their needs and make informed decisions. Assessing adjustment to vision loss, coping skills, judgment, insight, impulse control, and other factors affecting rehabilitation. Helping participants develop effective coping strategies related to vision loss and concurrent disabilities. Identifying social, economic, behavioral, medical, psychiatric, physical, and transportation barriers that affect work readiness. Developing measurable goals and documenting the participant's progress toward managing identified areas of need. Preparing timely written evaluations, progress notes, recommendations, and final reports. Social Casework Level 2 - Brief Therapeutic Intervention When authorized, provide individual, time-limited, in-person therapeutic intervention to address issues that are significantly interfering with a participant's progress toward an educational or vocational goal.

Responsibilities may include:

Identifying mental, emotional, social, behavioral, developmental, or substance-related concerns affecting rehabilitation. Developing focused strategies to address behaviors or conditions impeding progress. Providing approximately 6-12 hours of brief intervention over a period not exceeding 12 weeks. Coordinating goals and services with the participant and NYSCB counselor. Distinguishing brief therapeutic intervention from adjustment-to-vision-loss services provided under Level 1. Identifying comparable benefits and appropriate community-based resources. Assisting participants with transitioning to long-term counseling, psychotherapy, substance-use treatment, or other services when their needs exceed the scope of the authorized intervention. Additional Responsibilities Maintain professional communication with participants, families, NYSCB counselors, and members of the rehabilitation team. Ensure that all services are directly related to the participant's mutually agreed-upon educational or employment goals. Complete required documentation accurately and within established timeframes. Maintain participant confidentiality and comply with applicable professional, ethical, contractual, and legal requirements. Participate in case conferences or team meetings when requested. Travel throughout Western New York to provide services in participant homes or other community settings. Qualifications Master's degree in social work from an accredited program. Current New York State social-work license appropriate to the services being provided; LMSW or LCSW preferred. Experience providing casework, counseling, brief therapeutic intervention, vocational rehabilitation, disability services, behavioral health, or community-based services. Strong assessment, counseling, documentation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently while collaborating with a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. Ability to establish measurable goals and prepare clear, professional reports. Knowledge of community resources, public benefits, disability services, and barriers to employment. Experience working with individuals who are blind or visually impaired is preferred but not required. Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel within the assigned service area. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is empathetic, dependable, organized, and comfortable working independently in community-based settings. The individual should understand how disability, vision loss, health conditions, transportation, finances, family relationships, and emotional adjustment can affect a person's ability to achieve educational and employment goals. Compensation and Scheduling Compensation is $50 per hour, with mileage reimbursement for approved travel. Hours vary according to participant referrals and may range from zero during slower periods to as many as 20 hours during a busy week. No minimum number of hours is guaranteed. Assignments are offered based on caseload, location, participant needs, and the social worker's availability. The Western New York Center for the Visually Impaired is an equal opportunity employer.

Pay:

$50.00 per hour Expected hours: 1.0 - 20.0 per week

Benefits:

Mileage reimbursement

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Buffalo, NY 14224