Lead Options Counselor

Eau Claire County • Eau Claire, WI

1d

About The Position

The Lead Options Counselor serves as a non-supervisory, senior-level expert and resource within the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC). This position provides mentorship and case handling guidance to the Options Counseling team and assists the ADRC Manager with quality assurance and training. The Lead Options Counselor is the subject matter expert for long-term care programs, eligibility determination, and person-centered decision-support processes for older adults, adults living with a disability, and their caregivers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a health or human service-related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in health or human services working in an aging or disability-related profession, with at least one (1) year in an Options Counselor or equivalent role.
• Active Long-Term Care Functional Screen certification and Options Counseling Standards certification.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and make decisions in complex situations.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, or coordinate a team or work group.
• Appointment will be conditional upon successful completion of criminal and caregiver background checks.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and access to private transportation for work-related duties.
• Must possess and maintain personal automobile insurance in the amount of $100,000/$300,000.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in gerontology, social work, Occupational Therapy or Nursing.
• Prior supervisory, lead, or training experience within a human services or government agency setting.
• Experience with government income maintenance programs, health insurance, and consumer rights for people with disabilities.
• Experience with adaptive equipment assessment and demonstration.
• Experience with public speaking and community presentations with healthcare professionals and/or community organizations.
• Direct ADRC work experience.
• Experience working with the medical community or other professionals serving ADRC target populations.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the lead resource and subject matter expert for Options Counselors; provides day-to-day guidance, answers complex questions, and supports staff in navigating difficult cases.
• Serves as the Long-Term Care Functional Screen Liaison.
• Assists the ADRC Manager in training new Options Counselors; develops and delivers training materials.
• Identifies staff development needs and recommends training opportunities; models best practices in person-centered service delivery.
• Provides input to ADRC management on staff performance evaluations.
• Monitors program compliance with state and federal requirements; reviews and audits Long-Term Care Functional Screen documentation to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Stays current on policy and regulatory changes related to long-term care programs; disseminates updates to the team and facilitates understanding and adoption of new requirements.
• Leads training and updates related to the Long-Term Care Functional Screen.
• Provides feedback to ADRC Manager related to Long Term Care Functional Screen quality assurance findings.
• Carries a caseload and provides the full range of long-term care options counseling, eligibility determination, enrollment counseling, and disenrollment counseling for the State's Long Term Care Programs.
• Manages high-complexity, high-risk cases and provides consultation on cases involving difficult legal, medical, financial, or ethical dimensions.
• Conducts comprehensive assessments using the Long-Term Care Functional Screen and professional judgment to connect individuals with appropriate services and supports.
• Coordinates care transitions between community settings and in-home care; provides outreach to youth with disabilities transitioning to the adult long-term care system.
• Administers memory screens and provides dementia education and person-centered follow-up to individuals and their caregivers.
• Authorizes transportation funding related to the 85.21 transportation grant and assesses the need for adaptive equipment.
• Develops and delivers community education and outreach presentations to diverse audiences including healthcare providers, legal professionals, government agencies, and community organizations.
• Documents all interactions thoroughly in the case management system per program standards and compliance requirements.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior