Geriatric Social Services Coordinator (GSSC)

ABOUT ETHOS

Ethos is a private, non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting independence, dignity and well-being among the elderly and disabled through quality, affordable and culturally-appropriate home and community-based care. As a state-authorized Aging Services Access Point (ASAP), Ethos coordinates all the non-institutional home and community-based services for elderly and disabled residents of the southwest Boston neighborhoods of West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, and Mattapan and well as, provides city-wide nutrition services in Boston, which serve approximately 2.1 million meal for older adults, delivered to the home (Meals on Wheels) or served in neighborhood congregate settings (Community Cafés). The organization also provides Medicare Counseling (SHINE), Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Money Management and Healthy Aging programs for the entire city of Boston. For more information, visit www.ethocare.org.

EO/AA/VEV/Disabled Employer -- Ethos Affirms and Supports Diversity

Are you looking for a career that makes a difference and impacts the lives of others!

Ethos is looking to hire bilingual speaking employees to fill the role of Geriatric Social Services Coordinator (GSSC). They will conduct follow-up personal interviews to reassess client needs; coordinate services with providers; act as an advocate for clients in obtaining government and other services; and provide short-term crisis management support to clients. The GSSC attends primary care team meetings with the senior care organizations (SCOs) and meets documentation standards of the SCOs while performing responsibilities as part of a Home Care team.

Rate: Non-Exempt, 35-hour work week, starting at $ 25.09, commensurate with experience (annualized at $45,666.08). $1,200 is added to the starting annual salary if hired for bilingual language skills.

DUTIES:

1. Maintain an ongoing caseload of clients.

• A. Maintain count of number of clients in SCO, report those clients who cannot be contacted to SCO.
• B. Coordinate services with provider(s) and informal/formal supports. Participate in care conferences as necessary.
• C. Reassess each client's need for service at least every 6 months or as requested by the SCO by a personal interview in the home.
• D. Provide short-term support and intervention to clients and their families during a potential crisis.
• E. Make referrals to vendors, and conduct joint consultation visits with SCO personnel, appropriate services as necessary.
• F. Act as an advocate for clients in areas such as Social Security, Medicare, SSI, Medicaid, housing, legal services, fuel assistance, etc. Determine whether community resources might be utilized to improve the client's situation. Assist client in coordination of these services as necessary.
• G. Monitor all cases on an ongoing basis and follow up on identified issues.
• H. Conduct initial assessment of needs via personal interview within the applicant's home or at the hospital before discharge as required.
• I. Develop a care plan based on assessment, consultation with intake team, and recommendations of other professionals and family members involved with client.

2. Maintain current information relating to each case:

• A. Keep files up to date: include in journal notes a summary of telephone calls, changes in purchased services schedule, observations by homemaker, or other professionals regarding the client, as well as observations made during the home visits.
• B. Maintain all forms in compliance with the SCO regulations.
• C. Complete authorizations, re‑authorizations, notices of suspension, termination and other changes in the service plan for providers and for the Fiscal Dept.
• D. Record and maintain statistical data. Complete weekly, monthly and annual reports, including monthly report of billable hours if needed. Evaluate providers utilizing designated forms.
• E. Maintain appeals forms, notifying client of any changes in care plan. Retain copies of any other correspondence pertaining to case.
• F. Achieve an acceptable level of proficiency in computer programs required by the SCO or client reporting. Update skills as computer programs are revised.

3. Participate in teams and department:

• A. Participate with team and department in problem-solving.
• B. Participate in departmental initiatives and projects.
• C. Provide coverage as assigned by the duty roster system.
• D. Meet with SCO team as needed to review cases and to formulate resolutions to problems.
• E. Attend and participate in departmental meetings as required.

4. Participate in staff development programs:

• A. Update knowledge pertaining to elderly populations and services by means of courses and in‑service lectures, workshops, etc.
• B. Attend and contribute to regular Agency staff meetings and Home Care meetings.

5. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Work Experience in human services, social work, nursing or related field.

2. Experience working with the elderly and/or experience working in a community service setting is preferred.

3. Ability to utilize interpersonal skills in relating sensitively to the concerns affecting the elderly individual and their population as a whole.

4. Ability to observe and report objectively in both a verbal and written manner.

5. Previous experience working in a team-based environment highly desirable.

6. Flexibility to accept changing priorities.

7. Excellent communication skills.

8. Must be able to drive or travel in an efficient manner.

9. Must be able to traverse at least two flights of stairs.

10. Intermediate internet, e-mail and word processing skills.

11. * Ability to speak Haitian Creole.

Benefits include:

• Vacation time = starting at 3 weeks per year, accrued bi-weekly; 4 weeks after 3 years
• Sick time = 12 days per year accrued bi-weekly; Sick Time conversion to additional vacation hours
• Personal time = 1 week per anniversary year
• 14 holidays plus your birthday off!
• Health Insurance at the beginning of the month following hire (with a choice of over 30 health insurance plans with varied premium rates; most available for purchase with zero to little monthly employee cost and some having a remaining allowance to use toward other non-reimbursed expenses).
• Dental insurance with no waiting period, 75% premium paid by Ethos.
• VSP – Vision Insurance Plan
• Ethos paid life insurance at one time annual salary.
• Ethos paid Long-Term and Short-Term disability insurance.
• Voluntary long-term care insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer discretionary contribution
• Credit union
• Pre-tax deductions (medical, dependent care and transportation)
• Expanded Learning – Professional Development - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Ethos is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $25.09 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Human Services: 2 years (Required)
• Working with the elderly population: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

• Haitian Creole (Required)

License/Certification:

• MA Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: In person