Elder Advocate

Purpose of Position :

To provide higher level advocacy, social services support and resource management to elders in all NSHC settings, in accordance with NSHC's mission, philosophy, policies, and procedures while applying standards of the social services field. Provide informal supportive counseling to assist elder patients / residents and their families in varied NSHC care settings. Assist in coordinating community resources for elder patients / residents, including in-home resources, care settings and travel resources. Advocate for elder patient / resident rights issues and actively support the Corporation's philosophy by participating in elder patient / resident focused care activities and quality improvement team activities. Provide experienced administrative support to the Social Services program as needed.

Uphold the organization's vision, mission, and corporate values. Demonstrate understanding of and compliance with organization's policies, procedures, code of conduct and work rules.

Essential Functions :

• Work with NSHC staff and outside agencies to assist elders in accessing services, including care and travel resources. Assist elder patients / residents with special needs / requests.
• Assists the Patient Advocate in receiving care concerns by elder patients / residents and referring them for investigation.
• Promote customer service to elderly patients / residents and their families. Perform rounds of elders on Acute Care and be available to meet with elders in the Emergency Room and the Primary Care Clinic.
• Participate as needed in home visits by providers to elder patients' homes.
• Complete psycho-social assessments of elder patients and others in the course of coordinating care placements, including swing bed placements at NSHC, Assisted Living placements, and long-term care placements. Interview elder patients / residents and / or their legal representatives for information regarding their social histories, current needs, finances, etc.
• Coordinate admission to Quyanna Care Center by working with patients / families to secure Medicaid coverage in advance of admission.
• Provide supportive, informal counseling to elder patients / residents to assist them to respond to their care needs.
• Arrange and participate in care conferences for elders patients / residents who are hospitalized or receiving / seeking in-home care.
• Complete discharge planning as requested by the elder patient / resident and / or their legal representative, under the supervision of Medical Social Work staff.
• Assist Medical Social Work staff in initiating legal guardianship proceedings for elder patients / residents who require legal representation.
• Assist with responding to reports of abuse or neglect of elder patients / residents. Make reports to the appropriate protective authorities for any abuse or neglect of patients / residents. Document those reports in the patient medical record.
• Assist with developing patient education materials focused on communicating access to care and delivery of services to elder patients / residents.
• Assist Social Service staff in preparing and maintaining items such as budgets, purchase requests, maintenance work orders, travel requests, expense reports, etc.
• Perform the duties of an administrative assistant, including clerical tasks such as filing, etc. Maintain patient / resident records and service logs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Personal Traits :

All Norton Sound Health Corporation employees are expected to consistently demonstrate the organization's values : integrity, cultural sensitivity and respect for traditional values, continual learning and improving, compassion, teamwork and pride. Employees are expected to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, accountability, cooperation with and consideration for others.

Required Knowledge :

All Norton Sound Health Corporation employees are expected to have general knowledge of typical office technologies such as computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, and typical office software.

Job Specific knowledge is listed below :

Required Skills and Abilities :

All Norton Sound Health Corporation employees are expected to have a broad range of skills and abilities centered around a strong patient focus, efficient performance, and teamwork. All employees should have patient / customer service skills, interpersonal skills and good communication skills. All employees should have the ability to manage their time and organize their work to ensure efficient performance. In addition, all employees should have the ability to follow policy, procedure and instructions, actively communicate with their supervisors to ensure understanding and manage their work accordingly. Finally, all employees should have the ability to understand and manage patient / customer confidentiality.

Job specific skills and abilities are listed below :

Minimum Requirements

Education

Degree

Program

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Experience

General (Non-supervisory)

Supervisory

Amount : 2 years

performing medical social work, child protection or adult protection services or related field

0 (years)

Type :

Must have both general and supervisory experience if indicated.

Credentials

Licensure, Certification, etc.

Alaska Core Competencies completed during the first 6 months of hire.

Driver's license required.

Physical Requirements :

Working Conditions :

I attest that I do not have any physical, mental or medical impairment or disability that would limit my job performance.

Affirmation of understanding of job duties :

Printed Name of Incumbent

Signature of Incumbent Date

Approval of Job Description :

Signature of Hiring Director / Manager