Description

The IC: Building a world where everyone is Known, Valued, and Included.

Why YOU are a good fit:

Do you have a creative and outgoing personality, great communication skills and the ability to act as a bridge between others and the Veterans we serve to support access to the resources they need? Well then, this role may be for you! Looking for Individuals with great organizational skills, flexible, have a desire to travel to surrounding counties for services, provide training and have case management experience are invited to apply!

What makes us one of the Gazette’s “Best Places to Work” every year:

Want to make a meaningful difference in our community while enjoying a healthy work-life balance? The IC offers a fun, casual and supportive work environment, competitive pay, and great benefits including:

• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid sick and frontloaded PTO
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Exceptional medical, dental, vision coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Requirements

What you bring to the table:

The purpose of a Veteran Directed Care (VDC) Case Manager is to offer financial oversight and person-first tailored support to Veterans in alignment with The Independence Center policies and VDC program standards to ensure Veterans remain financially compliant within all program parameters to self-direct their own care and services allowing them to continue living independently in the community, promote self-advocacy and improve their quality of life.

A desire to work alongside people with disabilities, make a significant contribution to the independent living movement and work with terrific teammates. You’re passionate, excited about making a meaningful impact, and ready to join an organization that leans into the challenges of educating our community about the importance of equal rights and empowerment for people with disabilities.

Specifically:

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrates The IC’s core values of Adaptability, Collaboration, Inclusion, Integrity and Person First.
• Commitment to co-creating a culture that fosters diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
• Extraordinary customer service skills.
• Effective communication skills.
• Self-motivated, persistent, and flexible.
• Strong organizational skills and detail oriented.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities as well as deadlines.
• Takes responsibility for high-quality work.
• Capacity to work individually and as a member of a team in a team-oriented, inclusive environment.
• Possess decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• The capacity to empower individuals to advocate for themselves to maximize independence.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and work within the confines of HIPAA regulations.
• Proficiency with computers, including MS Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Zoom and other common computer programs.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Assist Veterans with obtaining approved VDC care and services ensuring they can continue living independently in the community, increase their self-advocacy skills and improve their quality of life.
• Maintain monthly phone contact and quarterly in-home visits with the Veteran/Authorized Representative while continuously monitoring their approved services ensuring an in-depth and factually documented discussion surrounding monthly budget, recent hospitalizations, rehabilitation and/or respite stays and any changes in health status. 
• Conduct in-home enrollments, functional assessments, and face-to-face contact in accordance with VDC Operational Guidelines with Veterans/Authorized Representative(s) initially upon enrollment, quarterly thereafter, at 6 months, and annually as required. 
• Support Veterans in the development & approval process of their assigned yearly budget while providing close oversight of spending plans including necessary revisions to ensure adherence to program-specific regulations.
• Continuous monitoring of all assigned veteran program financial matters to include caregiver pay and services ensuring they are within 5% of their monthly VDC allotted budget as delegated by the VAMC.
• Collaborate effectively with our Financial Management Services Provider as necessary to aid Veterans and Caregivers in completing all relevant program documentation, while insuring appropriate referrals back to the FMS service provider for all Payroll & applicable HR related inquiries or concerns. Implement non-compliance policy and risk mitigation plans as needed.
• Leverage professional networks to offer community resources and programs to veterans, ensuring the provision of resources only, without engaging in social work services, and facilitating referrals back to Veteran PCP, PACT team or the local Veterans Affairs Social Work office ensuring strict program compliance. 
• As a mandated reporter, adhere to all applicable State & Adult Protective Service laws regarding Mandatory Reporting of Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation of At-Risk Elders.
• Collaborate with appropriate IC staff, military entities, community partners, and external vendors under the direction of the Operations Manager showcasing Veteran Directed Care services to Veterans in the community. Promote and internally always refer Veterans to all appropriate Independence Center programs through positive representation of the company. 
• Attend and actively participate in all IC required programs, staff, and committee meetings.
• This position may also require the performance of other duties as assigned. 

Education and Experience:

• Possession of a completed bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of relevant work experience and combined education is preferred but not required. 
• At least one year of experience in healthcare case management or equivalent
• Experience working within any Veterans Affairs program, in-depth understanding of military terms, and person-first centered approach to communication with Veterans.
• Annual VDC/VA orientation and training to the concepts of cultural competence and linguistic competence as well as strategies to enhance competence in service delivery.
• Experience working with and supervising people with disabilities preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of military history, terminology, and programs available to Veterans preferred. 

Travel:

• This role involves frequent travel, up to 50% of the time, for in-home visits with Veterans and to present information to various established and new outreach partnerships based on program needs as directed by the Operations Manager.
• Local travel to partners, collaborators, and vendors for official IC related business and events may be required.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and car insurance.

Working Conditions:

• In-office environment requiring ongoing computer use and extended amount of time sitting or standing.
• Frequently lift, push, pull, up to 10 lbs. 
• Internet access to work remotely if protocols are issued for remote work.

We are accessible, inclusive, and awesome – here’s why:

The Independence Center is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate any employee engaging in unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation against any employee or applicant because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, pregnancy status, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, spousal or civil union status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law. In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, The IC will not discriminate against individuals with disabilities.