Assessment Worker I

Company name: Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

Title of position: ASSESSMENT WORKER I - LONG TERM CARE ACCESS (LTCA) UNIT

Position type: Full Time

Pay range: $41,192.55-$47,685.53 varies with experience.

Location: PCA Main Building

THE ORGANIZATION

A private nonprofit organization founded in 1973, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) is a large agency that is part of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) nationwide network. Founded as a result of the federal Older Americans Act, the AAAs are mandated to “facilitate the area-wide development and implementation of a comprehensive, coordinated system for providing long-term care in home and community-based settings, in a manner responsive to the needs and preferences of older individuals and their family caregivers.” PCA carries out this mission through advocacy, stewardship of public funding, planning, development and administration of programs, and service coordination.

The mission of PCA is to improve the quality of life for older Philadelphians and those with disabilities and assist them in achieving the greatest possible levels of health, independence, and productivity.

Benefits:

• Medical, prescription drug, vision, and dental coverage
• Flexible spending plan (health and dependent care)
• EAP, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance
• Pre-tax commuting, and parking benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions and optional employee pre-tax contributions.
• Annual paid time off includes holidays, sick days, personal days, and weeks of vacation depending on tenure. (Note: vacation and personal days are front loaded and are pro-rated if date of hire is not January 1st; sick days are accrued based on hours worked).

Description of Role: Under the supervision of an Assessment Supervisor in Long Term Care Access, this position is responsible for the assessment utilizing the FED (Functional Eligibility Determination) tool to determine a level of care determination, and limited follow-up of individuals age 18 and over who seek Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), admission to a nursing home, personal care home, or domiciliary care home.

Required Education: Bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by twelve credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology or gerontology, or other related social science.

Required Experience: Minimum of one year experience social work experience, case management, or assessment preferably in the areas of aging, community health, nursing home or hospital discharge planning.

GOALS:

To provide each applicant with an expeditious, comprehensive assessment with a resultant recommendation of level of care and locus of care provided in the least restrictive available program or facility.

The Assessment Worker I maintain the highest level of professional ethics, continually seeking opportunities for increased knowledge, growth, and development within guidelines of departmental coverage and funding.

Job Responsibilities:

a. Successfully complete Pennsylvania Individualized Assessment (PIA) and Functional Eligibility Determination (FED) training along with other required training to become certified to administer the assessment tool to applicants.

b. Maintain individual electronic work schedule in the Long Team Care Access Management System (LMS) by placing scheduled assessments in an Assessors individual schedule from the unassigned list as well as adding appropriate blocks in schedule when unavailable.

c. Complete a daily case quota of FED assessments that is determined by the Director of Assessment dependent on the workload of the department.

d. Appropriately administer the FED through a thorough interview based on consumer answers and information received from the consumer’s physician, family, friends, and referral source per the applicant's preferences. Consults with Assessment Supervisor as necessary.

e. Evaluates the availability and appropriateness of Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) or facility placement to best meet applicant's needs and makes the most appropriate, least restrictive, locus of care decision with consideration of applicant's preferences.

f. Complete financial screening tools for applicants interested in Personal Care Home, Domiciliary placement, or Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) as well as for community based programs of Pennsylvania Department of Aging including OPTIONS, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Community Health Choices (CHC) Waiver and Living Independently for Elders (LIFE) and for additional programs not available through PCA, including ACT 150.

g. Refer applicants to appropriate Home and Community Based Services or make requests to add applicants to programs waiting list if one exists and eligible applicants for home delivered meals who are awaiting services such as CHC Waiver or Options services or those who prefer meals only.

h. Completes the Pre-admission Screening/Annual Resident Review (PASARR) process for individuals identified with Mental Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, or other related disability as required by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA).

i. Conducts standardized Department of Human Services Medical Assistance financial application forms for applicants in the community who want to be relocate to a Nursing Home Facility.

j. Inputs and maintains data in all automated system on a timely manner. Accurately completes reconciliation reports for all assessments completed.

k. Upload completed and required assessment related forms to their electronic folder located in the automated filing system.

l. Interfaces with all PCA Long Term Care programs, providers, and referral sources in a professional and cooperative manner.

m. Successfully complete yearly ongoing Assessor training and other required training to maintain certification.

n. Attends staff, team, and in-service meetings on a monthly basis and other trainings, or meetings as required.

o. Participates in on-going problem solving, program evaluation and development with team and all staff.

p. Represents agency and program policies, procedures and objectives to applicants, referral sources, providers, and the public.

q. Performs other duties as assigned.

Professional Characteristics:

• Well organized with high energy level.
• Well-developed verbal, written, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to quickly acquire needed knowledge and manage a high volume of clientele and paperwork with attention to productivity.
• High level of flexibility.

Additional Requirements:

1. Valid driver's license, good driving record and access to a fully insured car.

2. Drug testing.

3. Criminal history clearance.

4. Second language abilities preferred.

WORK LOCATION:

This position has the opportunity to be hybrid (combination of in the office and remote) or remote work.

For information on Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, including more information on our company culture, visit our website at https://www.pcacares.org/

All applicants will receive an acknowledgement that their application has been. Those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.