Information & Assistance Specialist - Rusk County, WI : Job Details

Salary: $23.30 - $24.63 HourlyLocation : Rusk County Government Center, WIJob Type: Full-timeJob Number: 7016-11-2024Department: Health & Human ServicesDivision: Senior Services/ADRCOpening Date: 11/13/2024Closing Date: 11/30/2024 11:59 PM CentralDescription Rusk County is currently hiring for a full-time Information and Assistance Specialist in the ADRC. The Information and Assistance Specialist should have knowledge of the physical, psychological and economic needs and provide Rusk County residents with information, linkage to resources, and assistance with access to services for the elderly, adults with physical, intellectual/ developmental disabilities, mental illness, and or substance use disorders, youth who are transitioning into the adult long-term care system, and family caregivers. This position works under the general supervision of the ADRC Program Manager. Examples of Duties The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Provides information to customers about services, programs and resources (public and private) that assist them to experience daily life with dignity and security, maximizing their opportunities for self-sufficiency and choice.

Provides counseling on long term care options, with a focus on personal goals, strengths and preferences.

Provides follow-up as needed to determine outcomes and to offer additional assistance as necessary.

Assists individuals in determining their eligibility for long-term care services available through the State. This includes administering the Long-Term Care Functional Screen (LTCFS) and providing appropriate counseling.

Provides outreach and information to young persons, age 17.5 and older, with disabilities as well as their families/caregivers as they transition into the adult long-term care system.

Supports persons facing a crisis by connecting them to emergency services and/or by providing short term care coordination. This includes referrals for elder abuse and adult protective services.

Links at-risk individuals with prevention and early intervention services provided by public health and other service providers.

Advocates on behalf of customers and their caregivers. Empowers individuals to advocate on their own behalf.

May meet with a customer in the office, in the customer's home or in a public or community setting.

Collects and records customer demographic information and actions taken using the ADRC database and reporting system as well as document accurately in the state/federal time reporting system.

Maintains paper filing and record systems to provide easy access to records and information; maintain/destroy records and reports as required per County policies.

Provides regional coverage when needed.

Attends educational trainings and conferences as required or relates to the position.

Other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications Required Education, Experience, Licensing, and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in a health or human services related field or licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in Wisconsin pursuant to §441.06.
• Must have a minimum of one (1) year of relevant professional work experience with the aging, elderly, or persons with disabilities.
• Must obtain and maintain certification for administering the Wisconsin Long Term Care Functional Screen.
• Must become certified by the Inform USA within one (1) year from date of hire and meet requirements to maintain certification.
• Must successfully pass caregiver and criminal background check.

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Knowledge of physical, psychological and economic needs of older persons and persons with physical and/or developmental disabilities, and mental illness.
• Counseling and motivational interviewing skills, with the ability to assess and reframe as the conversation progresses.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive assessments for individuals with long term care needs.
• Knowledge of community resources and services available to elderly and disabled persons.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws that regulate long term support programs.
• Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the County.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications consistent for this position.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records laws.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Frequent travel may involve exposure to inclement weather conditions, unsanitary conditions in homes, communicable illnesses and diseases and unsafe environments.
• May require dealing with persons who are hostile, aggressive, abusive or violent, posing threatening conditions.

Supplemental Information This position description has been prepared to assist in defining job responsibilities, physical demands, and skills needed. It is not intended as a complete list of job duties, responsibilities, and/or essential functions. This description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under supervision. The County retains and reserves any or all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete, from any section of this document as it deems, in its judgment, to be proper.Rusk County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.To see a summary of benefits offered to Full-time employees, review our