Options Counselor

Summary of Duties:

Helps individuals and their families navigate the complex landscape of long-term care options by assessing needs, providing information about available services and community based long-term care options such as in-home care, assisted living, PACE, nursing homes, and community support programs, and guiding them towards the best choice based on their individual preferences and financial situation, ultimately empowering them to make informed decisions about their long-term care plan.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned.

• Conduct comprehensive assessments with individuals and their families to understand their physical, cognitive, and social needs, as well as their desired living situation and care;

• Educate clients about various long-term care options, including different types of facilities, service levels, costs, and eligibility requirements for government programs;

• Collaborate with clients and their families to create a personalized care plan that aligns with their needs and goals, including service referrals and advocacy for appropriate care;

• Identify and connect clients to relevant community resources like transportation services, adult day care, home-based care providers, and financial assistance programs;

• Provide unbiased guidance and facilitating informed decision-making regarding the most suitable long-term care option for the individual;

• Help clients complete necessary paperwork for long-term care services, including Medicaid applications, insurance forms, and facility admissions processes;

• Must have the ability to effectively communicate complex information to clients and their families in a clear and empathetic manner;

• Must be skillful in navigating complex situations and finding solutions to address client challenges;

• Have an ability to advocate for clients' needs and ensure they receive appropriate care;

• Commit to maintaining confidentiality and upholding professional standards when working with clients;

• Maintain an understanding of different long-term care settings, services, and funding sources available at the state and federal level;

• Engage with community organizations, healthcare providers, and the general public to raise awareness about long-term care options and the role of an options counselor;

• Be available for evening or weekend appointments, if necessary.

• State Health Insurance Program training may be required for this position.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work preferred with one (1) to two (2) years’ experience in long-term care options. A Certified Community Health Worker with three (3) years’ experience may be considered. Prefer knowledge of Older Americans Act funding, Medicare/Medicaid regulations and public benefits. Certification as a Long-Term Care Options Counselor will be required and will be provided as on the job training.

• Required Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with clients, families, and community partners. Knowledge of community resources, eligibility criteria for various programs, and long-term care options. Ability to manage complex situations and prioritize tasks effectively.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Michigan Driver License and reliable transportation required. Must complete Person-centered Options Counseling training and may be required to become a certified SHIP Counselor/Regional Coordinator.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze and interpret (reports, regulations, periodicals). Write (reports, business correspondence and manuals). Present information and respond to questions. Ability to write speeches.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area,

circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral and diagram form

involving several concrete variables in standardized situations and ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Security/Privacy Access:

This position has limited access to view, alter, retrieve or store individually identifiable health or other sensitive information, pertinent to accomplishing assigned tasks, and must maintain confidentiality in accordance with the NEMCSA Privacy Policy.

Physical Demands: (The 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.)

Employees in this position must possess vision requirements for driving and:

Occasionally is required to:

• Stand

• Walk

• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel

• Drive or have the ability to drive

• Work irregular or extended hours

• Lift up to 50 pounds

Regularly is required to:

• Sit

• Talk or hear

• Use video display terminals

• Meet deadlines with severe time constraints and interact with the public and staff in addition to meeting multiple demands from several people

• Use repeated hand, arm, or finger motion

• Read typed or written word

Work Environment: (The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Employees in this position work in moderate noise (example: business office with typewriters and or computer printers, light traffic) and must meet deadlines with severe time constraints and interact with the public and other workers. Employee has direct responsibility for the safety, well-being and work output of others.

Footwear: See Employee Handbook; Dress code. No job/worksite specific footwear required for this position.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): No job/worksite specific PPE required for this position.

Driving: To be determined, not frequent at this time; subject to change.

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substance use in the workplace throughout his/her employment with NEMCSA.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

An Equal Opportunity Program/Employer.

Auxiliary aids, services, and alternative format will be made available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Michigan Relay Center 1-800-649-3777 (Voice and TDD).

Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency is an at-will employer.