AGING CARE MANAGER I - County of Northumberland : Job Details

Position Purpose:

• To provide care management services to older adults and veterans/veteran dependents throughout Northumberland County. The primary population of veterans is over 60 years of age.
• This employee participates in formal and informal training sessions which provide the methods, procedures, rules, and regulations that govern the programs and the internal operations of Aging and Veterans Affairs programs.
• Upon the successful completion of a six (6) month probationary period as an Aging Care Manager 1, this position will become an Aging Care Manager 2.

Description of Duties:

• In training to evaluate consumers' needs and levels of care by completing written assessments of consumers' physical health, cognitive functioning, activities of daily living, nutritional risk, informal supports, physical environment, and financial concerns.
• In training to develop care plan with consumers designating services and supports to meet their unique needs and to assist them in obtaining services based on their needs.
• Maintains a caseload of aging and veteran consumers receiving services and supports through the Agency.
• Provides care management aging and veteran consumers and their informal supports through ongoing communications - i.e. telephone calls, home visits, reassessments, referrals, etc.
• In training to complete ongoing case documentation for each consumer.
• Completes weekly/monthly reports of consumer visits and other reports required by the Agency.
• Provides information about and refers consumers to appropriate social service organizations.
• Works in close cooperation with other social agencies, hospitals, clinics, courts, and community resources in planning to meet the needs of the consumers and assist the consumer in utilizing these resources.
• Assists older adults and veterans with the completion of forms and applications, such as PACE, Rent/Tax Rebate, Social Security, Black Lung, and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs documents.
• In training to provide supportive services for consumers who are in situations detrimental to their well being.
• In training to provide information to consumers and their families concerning proper care for frail and disabled older adults and veterans.
• Performs a variety of administrative tasks, as well as providing benefits services to older adults, veterans, and the public.
• In training to counsel and assist older adults and veterans and/or their eligible family members on their eligibility of aging and veterans' services.
• In training to prepare and submit benefits claims on behalf of veterans and/or their eligible family members to appropriate agencies.
• Coordinates and disseminates information on County, State, Federal, and private aging and veterans' programs and benefits.
• Answers the phones, greets, and provides assistance/answers to inquiries from walk-in consumers.
• Assists the Aging Care Management Supervisor with maintaining the list of veterans buried in County cemeteries. Assists with the coordination of County and Federal burial applications.
• Assists the Aging Care Management Supervisor with the distribution of flags and flag holders with funeral directors and volunteers.
• Maintains schedules of older adults and veterans needing transportation and coordinates transportation as needed.
• In training to complete intake and referral services for older adults and veterans via telephone, in-person office visits, and in-person home visits.
• Gathers necessary intake information to determine eligibility for services.
• In training to provide explanations of other community services to older adults, veterans, and interested parties and refers consumers to appropriate services as needed.
• Works with other agencies in the community in an effort to interpret programs and services for older adults and veterans.
• Maintains a resource file containing up-to-date information regarding services and benefits available to veterans.
• Utilizes applicable software and databases to complete reports, required forms, and documentation in accordance with regulation time frames and agency standards.
• Acts as an advocate for older adults and veterans.
• Adheres to the agency's policy of confidentiality.
• Attends all mandated trainings as well as other trainings and staff meetings required by the agency.
• Maintains a positive work atmosphere by communicating in a manner that is courteous and professional with older adults, veterans, co-workers, outside agencies, and the public.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Decision Making:

• As knowledge and skills are acquired, the difficulty of assignments will increase and more latitude in judgement will be permitted.
• Will exercise initiative in performing assignments.
• Will seek assistance and advice with difficult cases.
• Will possess reliability and analytical ability.
• Will display exceptional judgment.
• Work is reviewed by the Aging Care Management Supervisor or Agency Administrator through an evaluation of documentation, individual and group meetings, and evaluation of reports.

Experience and Requirements:

• Must meet PA residency requirement.
• Employment preference may be given to residents of Northumberland County.
• Must be able to travel throughout Northumberland County and to State-mandated trainings in areas that may or may not be accessible by public transportation.
• Must be willing to travel throughout Northumberland County and as required by the Agency; travel expenses will be reimbursed.
• Must be able to perform essential job functions.
• Required to obtain successful training from the PA Department of Aging within three (3) months of assignment to the position.
• Required to obtain and maintain accreditation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs with training sponsored by the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs within one (1) year of assignment to the position.
• This position is eligible for flex time and flex scheduling
• Minimum Experience and Training -

A Bachelor's Degree which includes or is supplemented by twelve (12) college-level credit hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other behavioral sciences; OR three and one-half (3 &fac12;) years of experience as an Aging Case Aide and twelve (12) college-level credit hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other behavioral sciences; OR any equivalent combination of experience and training which adds up to four (4) years of experience and education which includes twelve (12) college-level credit hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other behavioral sciences. Qualifying experience would include coordinating assigned services as part of a consumer's care and treatment plan, teaching consumer living skills, aiding in therapeutic activities, and providing socialization opportunities for consumers. The following is not considered qualifying experience: providing hands-on personal care for disabled or elderly consumers; maintenance of a consumer's home, room, or environment; or aiding in adapting the physical facilities of a consumer's home. Essential Functions:

• Knowledge of County, State, and Federal aging and veterans' programs, benefits, and procedures.
• Knowledge of local aging and veterans' organizations, programs, and community resources.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations governing aging and veterans' services and assistance.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local HIPAA regulations and policies pertaining to the protection of personal health information.
• Ability to communicate and express ideas and maintain a professional atmosphere with consumers and co-workers.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with officials and representatives of State, Federal, and community agencies, older adults, veterans, their families, and the public.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced working environment and the ability to multi-task.
• Ability to operate general office equipment and perform routine clerical work.
• Knowledge of office administration methods, practices, and procedures and the ability to make arithmetic calculations.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the office is required.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time and the ability to lift and carry files and office documents up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to maintain records and files.
• Ability to understand and process forms related to consumer files.
• Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, and set priorities.
• Ability to clearly and adequately express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to complete basic computer operations using Windows computer systems and Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to learn and use the databases required by the Department of Aging, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Department of Human Services, and other state-managed databases as needed.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with older adults, veterans, co-workers, outside agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and work with older adults and veterans who are physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or economically challenged.
• Adheres to the agency's policy of confidentiality.
• Ability to be flexible and assist with a variety of agency programs and duties as needed.
• Travel with occasional overnight status.
• Attend seminars and conferences.