Community Resource Specialist

Position Title: 

Community Resource Specialist (CRS) 

Department: 

Upham’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) 

Location: 

Roxbury – Dearborn St. PACE Center 

Supervisor: 

Social Work Manager  

Hours per week: 

35 hours per week  

Program Overview:  

PACE is a national model of care that provides older adults and their caregivers with health care and community support. Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly are innovative because they provide continuous care and services offering individuals eligible for nursing home care the option of continuing to live in the community. 

The PACE model is based on the belief and experience that older adults with chronic care needs are better served living in their homes and communities, whenever possible. 

Primary Function: 

The Community Resource Specialist (CRS) works with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) to assist older adults in accessing the services and resources that will enhance their quality of life and allow them to live as independently as possible with dignity, respect, and comfort. The CRS is a member of the social work department. 

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with and support the PACE Social Worker with the implementation of care plans to address older adult’s physical, social, emotional and environmental needs by providing case management support. This includes the following and much more:  

• Housing stability and comfort 

• Financial management and security 

• Benefit/Entitlement access and maintenance 

• Vital document access 

• Act as an intermediary between PACE participants and their families/representatives and outside organizations to support the completion of case management related tasks. 

• Accompany participants in the community to assist with case managerial tasks (bank runs, shopping trips, application interviews, etc.) 

• Ensure participants and their families are able to access benefits, resources, and services that they are entitled to.  

• Research and form relationships with new agencies/organizations that benefit PACE participants. 

• Document service provisions. 

• Attend daily team meetings and individual/group supervisions. 

• Participate in mandatory training per organization requirements and other educational in-service training, courses and workshops to maintain professional expertise and develop additional skills.   

Minimum Basic Knowledge:

• Knowledge of case management best practices

• Ability to navigate the community independently

• Curiosity about resources that benefit older adults

Experience & Qualifications:

• BA/BS in social work, human services or related field required.

• Associates Degree with significant relevant work experience may be substituted for portion of degree.

• Strong written, verbal and computer skills required.

• Bilingual ability (Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole) a plus.

• Familiarity with the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) model of care, a plus.

• Experience working within a culturally diverse setting.

Independent Action:

PACE is a model of care that relies heavily on teamwork and communication. The Community Resource Specialist is a valuable member of the PACE team but should expect to work autonomously and independently on a number of tasks.

Define Access Level to PHI:

Level 2: Authorized to access patient demographic data with only minimal reference to treatment or diagnostic information as needed to function. Staff in this category level should confine the use of PHI to the minimum necessary required and should not access or read parts of the medical record not needed to perform assigned duties.