What are the responsibilities and job description for the Person-Centered Options Counselor position at Tri-County Office on Aging?
General Responsibilities: Serves as a Person-Centered Options Counselor for the Agency. Facilitates an interactive process where participants (including family members and caregivers) receive guidance in the deliberations for making informed choices about long-term support and services. Promotes person-centeredness while developing a long-term care plan. Empowers participants, including those experiencing cognitive loss or caring for someone experiencing cognitive loss, to navigate the long-term care support and services system. Member of the TCOA Access Services program.
Essential Job Functions: (Reasonable accommodation will be provided, if necessary, for individuals with disabilities who can perform the essential job functions.)
- Provides information regarding services and public benefits and makes appropriate referrals.
- Stays current regarding relevant resources, managing and providing resources, education and support to participants and caregivers.
- Participates and/or spearheads development of community education and health programs.
- Answers inquiries from those who request information regarding community services and benefits programs.
- Maintains complete and accurate documentation regarding each participant and/or caregiver.
- Shares information with participants regarding available services and public benefits in a timely and courteous manner.
- Ascertains program suitability for callers and refers to Agency staff or to community services and programs, as appropriate.
- Provides advocacy/social/emotional support to participants and their caregivers including, but not limited to, case conferences and crisis intervention.
- Makes home visits to evaluate participant and/or caregiver needs.
- Maintains appropriate records and files. Creates reports as requested.
- Serves on TCOA Communications Committee and Outreach Team, including community presentations.
- Conducts Caregiver Dementia education and training to meet programmatic and Agency requirements.
- Collaborate with the Information and Assistance team to coordinate services for high-needs cases, ensuring timely support and resolution.
- Regularly share and update community resource information to enhance service delivery and maintain accurate resource databases.
- Participate in weekly meetings to review and discuss high-needs cases, ensuring alignment and effective communication across teams.
- Examples of job functions listed do not include all tasks which may be found in this position. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or modified at any time.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Commitment to the organization’s missions and goals.
- Computer skills are sufficient to learn specific departmental software programs.
- Ability to maintain confidential information regarding all aspects of participant, volunteer, employee, and agency information.
- Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
- Ability to communicate effectively and establish good relationships with staff, participants, volunteers, and vendors.
- Ability to represent the Agency in a professional manner.
- Must be able to adjust priorities to meet deadlines in a timely manner.
- Must have knowledge of the long-term care system and experience working with caregivers.
- Must have superior customer service skills. Must demonstrate an ability to remain professional and composed when dealing with sensitive participant concerns.
- Ability to meet department standards with regard to job knowledge, participant focus, initiative, productivity, communication, teamwork, and attendance.
Requirements:
- Master’s degree in social work with current social work licensure required.
- Two years of experience in the field of aging and/or disability required.
- Three years of experience working with participants living with dementia and their caregivers preferred.
- Inform USA certification, whether current or completed within 12 months of employment.
Working Conditions:
- The work environment is a typical office setting. Safe work practices in regard to office equipment, avoiding trips/falls and fire regulations are required.
- Physical mobility is required for sitting, walking, standing, bending, and lifting/holding/carrying objects of up to 20 pounds. Ability to enter and access information using a computer. Must be able to communicate effectively with participants, co-workers, volunteers, and vendors in person and over the telephone.
- Sensory requirements include exposure to uniform temperatures, conversational noise levels and everyday office activities.
- Mental requirements include the ability to handle varying levels of stress.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
All employees who have access to protected health information or personally identifiable information are required by the HIPAA Privacy & Security Rule to receive training to ensure an understanding and knowledge of the Privacy & Security Rule that corresponds to their duties. Training on the requirements of the HIPAA Privacy & Security Rule and the policies and procedures is a prerequisite for this position. Employees who violate the requirements of the HIPAA Privacy & Security Rule will be subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.
Reports to: Person-Centered Options Counseling Team Lead
Work Location: Lansing, MI
Base work schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 40 hours per week. This position may require occasional evening and weekend hours.
Tri-County Office on Aging, 5303 S. Cedar, Bldg. 1, Lansing, MI 48911
Tri-County Office on Aging is an Equal Opportunity Employer
