Outreach Specialist

Medina County Senior & Adult Services

Outreach Specialist (Full-Time)

The Outreach Worker works under the direct supervision of the Social Programs Supervisor. Introduces Title III Grant Services and other supportive services available to older adults and their families. Initiates in-home visits. Completes initial assessments and annual updates. Maintains and revises client records and service documentation based on client feedback. May be assigned Long Term Care Option Cases. Attends in-service programs and staff meetings. Attends in-service programs and staff meetings. Responds to changing situations in a flexible manner. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of all county and departmental policies and procedures.

Essential Job Functions

• Introduces supportive services available to older adults and their families. Initiates in-home visits of seniors in Medina County for purposes of providing social services including linkages to Medina County Senior & Adult Services (MCSAS) Title III, ADRC or social programs or referrals to other agencies and programs, dependent upon particular needs. Completes initial assessments as well as annual assessments on open Outreach client cases, specifically related to nutrition or transportation programs and subsidies. Maintains and revises client records and service documentation based on client feedback. Responsible for completing client dictation in state data management system on a monthly basis. Contacts clients who were not available for meal delivery to ensure well-being.
• Long term care options: If assigned, responsible for screening potential LTCO cases and assessing accordingly. Works on a short term basis, up to 6 months, providing regular case management to individuals who are in need of further assistance with long term care options, benefits management, and other social service related challenges that may be faced. Helps facilitate long term life planning for clients. Provides appropriate referrals and services to help ameliorate circumstances which brought client into program. Provides phone consultation and meets face to face with clients on an as needed basis. Maintains and revises client records and service documentation based on client feedback. Responsible for completing client dictation in state data management system on a monthly basis.
• Collaborates with MCSAS staff eliciting feedback and recommendations ensuring client’s ongoing well-being. Offers assistance staff, clients and the general public regarding service programs available to older adults and their families. Establishes and maintains relationships with other local, state or national groups as appropriate.
• Attends required in-service programs and staff meetings. Participates in continuing education activities. Attends and participates in MCSAS special events.
• Demonstrates ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary. Minimizes non-productive time with activities that will meet the future needs of the MCSAS. Organizes job functions and work area to be able to effectively complete varied assignments within established time frames. Takes the initiative to make decisions/choices without direct supervision. Adheres to County and departmental policies and procedures. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures and ability to reference them from appropriate books and manuals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field; LSW preferred.
• 1-3 years experience in dealing with older adult population
• Valid Ohio Driver’s License and clean driving record.
• Ability to enter and retrieve data using computer systems, systems applications, and other office equipment.

Knowledge

• Social Work
• Mandated reporting laws
• Federal and state mandated forms, documentation, and procedures
• Community services
• Benefit services for older adults
• Adult interviewing skills
• Practices/procedures relating to Ohio Department of Aging/OAA Title III Programming
• Office practice & procedures
• County Personnel Policies
• Safe practices

Abilities

• Define problems, collect data, establish facts & draw conclusions
• Complete routine forms
• Various communication methods: Phone, Text, Email
• Interview clients & family members to determine need for services
• Handle sensitive interactions, phone calls and face-to-face contact with the public, clients, family members, and agencies
• Working cooperatively with others
• Collaborate/elicit feedback & suggestions
• Maintain client records
• Write & prepare meaningful reports and dictation

Other Requirements

• Travel independently within the county
• Work independently
• Personal integrity
• Flexibility and the ability to change daily plans

Mental/Physical Requirements

The mental and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• Talk, hear, stand, walk, use stairs, sit, use hands to grasp, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms as necessary
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile individuals within the home setting.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Maintain automobile insurance coverage and have access to an automobile.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions.
• Will be required to drive to attend meetings and/or visits to residential facilities. Will work in varied residential environments
• Work not in the field is performed in a normal office environment with little exposure to outdoor temperatures or dirt and dust.
• Typically, the employee sits to do the work in an office or meeting room.
• Mental and cognitive skills to make independent decisions, advise, direct, plan, coordinate, analyze, develop, implement, recommend, research, understand, counsel, and manage.

Hours: 8–4:30, M–F

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Medina, OH 44256 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Medina, OH 44256: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person