Staff Guardian

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains•Denver, CO

About The Position

The Older Adult Program at LFSRM specializes in providing Guardianship services for seniors with neurological impairments that affect their decision-making capacity, who do not have natural supports who are able to make decisions on their behalf. The program partners with hospitals and facilities to assess needs, establish guardianship and arrange for the appropriate level of ongoing care. Our dedicated staff act as consultants, advocates, and guardians to ensure older adult medical needs are met correctly and expeditiously, preserving self-determination and dignity through end of life to the greatest degree possible. JOB SUMMARY & RESPONSIBILITIES The Staff Guardian plays a meaningful role in supporting vulnerable older adults by serving as their legally appointed advocate and trusted decision-maker. In this position, you will build caring relationships with the individuals you serve, help guide important life and care decisions, and ensure they have access to the resources and support they need. You will manage a caseload, collaborate with community partners and the Probate Court, maintain clear and accurate records, and help navigate benefits and services. This role also includes participating in a rotating 24/7 on-call schedule. If you're passionate about making a positive difference in people's lives, this position offers an opportunity to provide comfort, stability, and advocacy to those who need it most.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in socia l work, human services, or related field.
Minimum 2 years' experience serving older adults and/or other vulnerable populations.
Must maintain a valid driver's license and carry personal auto liability insurance at the level of $100,000/300,000/100,000.
Frequent local regional travel.
May be required to transport clients in personal vehicle.
Provide case management : Familiarity with assessment, care planning, facilitation, coordination, and advocacy for support on behalf of and in collaboration with individuals or families.
Coordinate services: Knowledge of currently available community resources, services, and supports, and ability to connect individuals and families to appropriate resources to meet their needs through referral, application, or enrollment assistance.
Deliver services within diverse cultural communities: Skills and sensitivity in working with individuals and families from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Meet standards of practice: Familiarity with social work practic e and human development, including applicable local, state, and federal regulations and guidance.
Communicates Professionally: Ability to communicate professionally and cooperate with colleagues, other professionals, community partners, and other individuals involved in the care and coordination of services.
Provide crisis intervention : Experience with crisis management, problem solving, and mediation best practices.
Maintains Program Documentation : Maintains consistency of program documentation and ensures that documentation and reporting is completed in a thorough, high quality, and timely manner.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness : Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Complex Problem Solving : Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking : Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Best Interests: Willingness to make decisions in the best interest of the client regardless of personal beliefs.

Responsibilities

Manages a caseload of clients following a trained and probationary period.
Makes decisions (e.g., appropriate living arrangements, medical care, funeral arrangements) for clients as required.
Communicates all major life decisions regarding wards with OAP Leadership, prior to acting on the decisions (i.e., move from nursing home to community, major medical decision).
Prepares all documents required by Probate Court and attends guardianship hearings.
Arranges for benefits and other entitlements for which the client needs and is eligible.
Prepares and maintains a record of all work-related activities and contacts performed on behalf of the client.
Coordinates with guardianship staff to provide regular visits to clients residing in a variety of settings.
Maintains a working knowledge of community resources.
Develops a working relationship with hospital staff, Probate Court, and service providers.
Participates in an after-hours on- call rotation.
Performs other duties as assigned.