Aging Care Manager 2 - Assessments

Northampton County•Bethlehem, PA

About The Position

The Aging Care Manager 2 – Assessments Unit position completes functional eligibility determination assessments for the Area Agency on Aging program. The position performs assessments for home and community-based services, nursing facility placement, and Personal Care Home subsidies, and provides care management services to older adults on an assigned caseload. The care manager develops care plans, authorizes in-home services, follows up on service delivery, reviews consumer income and assets to set cost-share amounts, and makes referrals to other agencies. The role also advocates for consumers, helps them explore community alternatives and locate housing when necessary, and coordinates with health care facilities, government divisions, and community agencies. The position reports directly to the Aging Care Management Supervisor and does not supervise other employees. It requires a valid, current motor vehicle operator’s license, an acceptable driving record, and use of a personal vehicle for County business; mileage reimbursement is available. The employee may be asked to complete training and serve as backup Older Adults Protective Services worker for on-call purposes. The work involves office duties and may also take place in environments such as schools and private homes. The office is moderately quiet; other work environments may range from quiet to loud. The employee frequently walks, sits, talks, and hears, and may occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Human Services, or a closely related field, including at least 12 semester credit hours in Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Gerontology, or related Social Sciences courses, and at least six months of full-time professional human services or nursing work experience; OR at least 12 semester credit hours in the specified or related subjects and at least six months as an Aging Care Manager 1 or County Caseworker; OR at least 12 semester credit hours in the specified or related subjects and successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern program.
Possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license and an acceptable driving record.
Provide a personal vehicle for County business; mileage reimbursement is available.
Knowledge of social casework principles and methods, community support services for older adults, and current social, economic, and health problems and related community resources.
Knowledge of basic program interpretation and community organization principles and methods, and of individual and group behavior and effective ways of working with older adults experiencing social, economic, emotional, and/or health problems.
Skill in developing care plans to address older adults’ needs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, outside agencies and institutions, and the general public.
Ability to plan and organize work, maintain adequate records and reports, set priorities, and effectively manage a caseload of older clients.
Ability to interpret laws and regulations; understand and accept others’ needs and rights; and work effectively with older adults who are physically or emotionally disabled or economically disadvantaged.
Ability to help older adults make constructive use of their potential while adjusting to specific problems.
Ability to clearly express ideas verbally and in writing, maintain confidentiality, and act professionally.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to perform the duties of the position.

Responsibilities

Perform Functional Eligibility Determinations according to state program requirements for home and community-based services and nursing facility placement.
Complete appropriate assessments through face-to-face contact with consumers.
Obtain medical, psychological, and/or psychiatric information needed to determine program eligibility, screening exceptions, and appropriateness of nursing home placement.
Complete Functional Eligibility Determinations and forward required data to state program offices; communicate determinations with other Aging units.
Complete Personal Care Home subsidy assessments according to state requirements and assist eligible consumers in obtaining the subsidy.
Complete assessments in the state-mandated electronic information system using remote access technology and maintain supporting paper files.
Maintain liaison with area hospitals, nursing homes, and agencies to expedite information, paperwork, and consumer flow.
Attend and participate in consumer appeal hearings concerning Functional Eligibility Determinations when appointed.
Participate in unit meetings, supervisory conferences, and scheduled training or in-service programs, locally or out of town.
Complete required annual assessor certification training.
Serve as a resource for agencies and community organizations concerned with community human services needs, as appropriate.
Undertake necessary training and serve as backup Older Adults Protective Services worker for on-call purposes when requested.
Counsel consumers about community alternatives and help locate housing when necessary.
Work with discharge planners in skilled nursing facilities and act as a consumer advocate.
Complete Needs Assessment Tools, write care plans based on assessed needs, and perform reassessments according to state requirements.
Provide care management services to older adults on an assigned caseload.
Authorize in-home services provided by Agency subcontractors and follow up with consumers and/or providers to confirm services have started or are scheduled to start as planned.
Review provider invoices when requested to ensure proper service delivery.
Make timely and appropriate entries in consumer case records in the Area Agency on Aging data system and paper files, including identifying information, care enrollments, service plans, service orders, actions, and journal entries.
Obtain and review consumer income and asset information and set cost-share amounts according to state requirements at initial service-plan development and annual reassessment.
Refer consumers to other agencies offering needed services.
Coordinate with Department of Human Services divisions and community agencies serving shared consumers, as appropriate.
Serve as lead worker for a consumer and/or facility with other categorical needs or services when assigned.