JOB DESCRIPTION TITLE: SENIOR COMPANION (SCP) AND OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM SPECIALIST - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DEFINITION: Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Volunteer Services, the SCP and Ombudsman Program Specialist (SPCO Program Specialist) working in tandem with the SCP Coordinator, is responsible for coordinating the assignments, schedules and maintaining records of the Senior Companions and the consumers they serve. The SPCO Program Specialist also provides technical assistance to the Philadelphia Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (PLTCOP) funded by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging's subcontracted agencies and is responsible for coordinating efforts to improve and enhance the network of Long Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman services in Philadelphia. This position also manages the contracts for LTC Ombudsman services.
QUALIFICATIONS: Education: • Bachelors' Degree in Social Work or related Social Sciences or equivalent education and experience.
Experience: • Minimum of two years of work experience in the delivery of human services or social services. • Experience working directly with the over 60 population is preferred.
Professional Characteristics: • Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. • Detailed oriented and results driven with accuracy. • High level of energy and flexibility • Extremely organized with strong time management skills and ability to multi-task. • Highly dependable able to work in a high-volume fast paced environment.
Other: • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS: Senior Companion Program 1. Screen, interview and recommend applicants for enrollment to the Senior Companion Program, as needed, including the completion of background clearance checks. 2. Maintain files for Senior Companions ensuring compliance with AmeriCorps Seniors and Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) requirements. 3. Process incoming consumer requests for SCP services. Maintain waitlist, coordinate match and assign consumers to Senior Companions and conduct introductory visits to consumers, as needed. 4. Complete home assessments to introduce Senior Companions to their assigned consumers, to ensure the match is an appropriate and good fit. 5. Provide continual monitoring of the match to ensure activities are in accordance with the Program requirements. 6. Provide supervision, guidance and follow-up to Senior Companions as needed to address issues and concerns to ensure the needs and concerns of both the Senior Companions and consumers meet and/or resolved in a timely manner. 7. Document and maintain case file records on Senior Companions including updates to weekly schedule, enrollment forms, income verification, performance evaluations, leave of absence and other required documents, as needed. 8. Assist Companions as needed with completing bi-weekly time sheets and payroll information. Work in coordination with Volunteer Station Supervisors during payroll process to ensure all Companions are paid in a timely manner. 9. Assist with maintaining record-keeping systems for all services including a computer database of Companions (Volunteer Reporter and PeopleSoft) and updating consumer status information as needed. 10. Assist with the in-service training of Companions, including training on the completion of Time Sheets and Travel Vouchers. 11. Provide written reports to the Program Manager regarding Companion and consumer statistics, number of hours completed, sick leave, terminated consumers and other information as needed.
Ombudsman Program 12. Collaborate with the Assistant Director to develop monitoring plans and monitoring tools, review and develop service standards, specifications and eligibility criteria, review and evaluate subcontractor spending, develop, and implement Request for Proposal (RFP) process for required service for PLTCOP. 13. Review and evaluate programmatic and financial reports of subcontractors, including review and approval of expenses through monthly invoicing process. 14. Act as a designated LTC Ombudsman for PCA including receiving and mediating consumer complaints and responding to inquiries about Ombudsman services. 15. In conjunction with the Assistant Director, serve as an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) liaison between PLTCOP and Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA). 16. Schedule and facilitate regular meetings with PLTCOP provider staff and volunteers to address problems and issues and provide technical assistance to facilitate coordination of services that are compliant with the Ombudsman Aging Program Directive (APD) and program specifications. 17. Receive and distribute information regarding regulatory actions against long term care facilities (i.e., nursing homes, personal care homes). Assist in consumer relocation planning as needed. 18. Represent PCA as needed, at local, regional, state, and national meetings on Ombudsman services and related topics. 19. Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS § Accurate and timely completion of all required reports. § Completion of an appropriate number of referrals to meet targeted volunteer service hours according to the Program mandate. § Maintain a professional demeanor in all interactions with PCA staff, Senior Companions, and consumers. § Mastery of job-related software programs.
CUSTOMERS: - Senior Companion Volunteers
- Volunteer Station Supervisors
- Community based consumers
- PCA Staff
- AmeriCorps CNCS staff
- PLTCOP subcontractors
- PLTCOP volunteers
- LTC residents
- State Ombudsman Office
Full Time
Revised 3/2023