Pros
* Working with the elderly and loving families who want the best for them * Amazing Supervisor (Center Director), incredible social work and interdisciplinary team support (you will be thanked all the time) * Potlucks for birthdays, holidays, achieving deadline goals [pre-pandemic] * Pay is good compared to most non-profits (but not if you're licensed for a SW position) * Perfect job for new and idealistic MSW grads willing to do whatever is asked * Family-friendly; compassion and flexibility for staff who are parents (able to use the Families First Coronavirus Response Act) * I think CEI made great efforts to keep staff and participants safe and informed during pandemic * Not sure if clinical supervision is offered for ASW’s from the new Behavioral Health Manager
Cons
* High of caseload of 66-67 older adults with chronic, medical, cognitive, psychosocial and family dynamic issues * You must HUSTLE to get your daily admin tasks done -OR- frequently be behind on your time-sensitive work * Coordinating extremely complex “grey-area” cases for the same handful of at-risk participants who need a substantial higher level of care * Extraordinary Home Care Dept. are stretched thin because of the immense demand for caregiving hours that c a n n o t be met * Lack of communication and follow through from certain disciplines with participants and families; this places an unfair heavy burden on SW's * Inadequate work space and privacy to meet 1:1 and conduct assessments * No time to complete EHR documentation w i t h i n paid hours (I did what I had to do to get it done - working unpaid hours that took away from my work/life/balance) * Social Workers have no seat at the table with upper management making decisions that affect our overflowing workflow * Asked to do arbitrary and/or streamlined tasks beyond the scope of social work * “Social Workers” and (*licensed*) “Psychiatric Social Workers” do the SAME social work job - Except PSW's are/have: 1. exempt (do not have to clock in/out like everyone else); 2. manageable caseload of 37-40-ish *[l e s s participants = l e s s paperwork!] 3. some challenging cases every now and then; 4. actual downtime (my observation at 1 Center); 5. and of course earn more money {around $5(+?) more/hr}