AGING CARE MANAGER I

Description

Purpose:

• To provide care management services to older adults and veterans/veteran dependents throughout Northumberland County. The primary population of veterans is over 60 years of age.
• This employee participates in formal and informal training sessions which provide the methods, procedures, rules, and regulations that govern the programs and the internal operations of Aging and Veterans Affairs programs.
• Upon the successful completion of a six (6) month probationary period as an Aging Care Manager 1, this position will become an Aging Care Manager 2.
  
  

Description of Duties:

• In training to evaluate older adult needs and levels of care by completing written assessments of older adults’ physical health, cognitive functioning, activities of daily living, nutritional risk, informal support, physical environment, and financial concerns
• In training to develop care plans with older adults designating services and supports to meet their unique needs and to assist them in obtaining services based on their needs
• Maintains a caseload of older adults receiving services and support through the Agency
• Provides care management to older adults and their informal supports through ongoing communications – i.e. telephone calls, home visits, reassessments, referrals, etc.
• In training to complete ongoing case documentation for each older adult
• Performs work in accordance with established regulations, policies, and procedures
• Utilizes applicable software and databases to complete reports, required forms, case notes and documentation in accordance with regulation time frames
• Completes weekly/monthly reports of older adult visits and other reports required by the Agency
• In training to provide necessary information to older adults and their informal support to assist them in obtaining a variety of social services
• Works in close cooperation with other social agencies, hospitals, clinics, courts, and community resources in planning to meet the needs of the older adult and assist the older adult in utilizing these resources
• In training to assist older adults with the completion of forms and applications, such as PACE, Rent/Tax Rebate, Social Security, Black Lung, and Department of Human Services PA600L
• In training to provide supportive services for older adults who are in situations detrimental to their well-being
• In training to provide information to older adults and their families concerning proper care for frail, disabled elderly
• Acts as an advocate for older adults
• Performs in an advisory capacity to other professional staff through participation in conferences, meetings, and Systems of Care for the purpose of care planning
• Attends all Department of Aging mandated training as well as other training and staff meetings required by the Agency
• Adheres to the Agency’s policy of confidentiality
• Maintains a positive work atmosphere by communicating in a manner that is courteous and professional with older adults, co- workers, outside agencies, and the public
• Performs other related duties as required
  
  

Physical Job Requirements

• Mobility/Ability to travel between office locations, older adult homes, hospitals, and community sites. This may involve walking, standing, climbing stairs and/or driving.
• Sitting/Standing for prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or computer, as well as standing or walking when conducting field visits.
• Lifting/ carrying may require lifting or carrying files, office supplies, small equipment (typically up to 25 pounds)
• Reaching/Bending, regularly required to reach, bend, crouch, or kneel to assist older adults or handle paperwork.
• Fine Motor Skills, frequent use of hands for typing, writing and handling documents.
  
  

Mental And Emotional Demands

• High Stress Tolerance: Ability to manage crisis situations, interact with individuals in distress, and handle potentially volatile situations.
• Communication: Frequent verbal and written communication with older adults, families, healthcare providers and legal entities.
• Decision-Making & Problem-Solving: Requires critical thinking to assess client needs, develop care plans, and navigate complex social services.
• Work Environment Considerations:
• Client Homes and Community Settings: May encounter unsanitary conditions, pets, smoke, or environmental hazards.
• Potential Safety Risks: Interactions with individuals experiencing severe mental illness, substance use disorders, or behavioral crisis.
• Flexible Schedule: May require evening, weekend, or on-call work depending on agency requirements.
  
  

Decision Making

• Will be provided with increasingly more difficult work assignments while working in this position
• As knowledge and skills are acquired, the difficulty of assignments will increase and more latitude in judgement will be permitted
• Will exercise initiative in performing assignments
• Will seek assistance and advice with difficult cases
• Work is reviewed by an Aging Care Management Supervisor or Administrator through an evaluation of case records, individual and group meetings, and evaluation of reports
• High Stress Tolerance and Ability to manage crisis situations, interact with older adults in distress, and handle potentially volatile situations.
• Frequent verbal and written communication with older adults, families, healthcare providers and legal entities.FD
• Decision-making & problem solving requires critical thinking to assess older adult needs, develop care plans, and navigate complex social services.
  
  

Work Environment Considerations

• Older adult homes and community settings, staff may encounter unsanitary conditions, pets, smoke or environmental hazards.
• Interactions with older adults experiencing severe mental illness, substance use disorders or behavioral crisis.
• May require evening, weekend or on-call work depending on agency requirements.
  
  

Essential Functions

• Knowledge of County, State, and Federal aging and veterans’ programs, benefits, and procedures.
• Knowledge of local aging and veterans’ organizations, programs, and community resources.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations governing aging and veterans’ services and assistance.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local HIPAA regulations and policies pertaining to the protection of personal health information.
• Ability to communicate and express ideas and maintain a professional atmosphere with consumers and co-workers.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with officials and representatives of State, Federal, and community agencies, older adults, veterans, their families, and the public.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced working environment and the ability to multi-task.
• Ability to operate general office equipment and perform routine clerical work.
• Knowledge of office administration methods, practices, and procedures and the ability to make arithmetic calculations.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the office is required.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time and the ability to lift and carry files and office documents up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to maintain records and files.
• Ability to understand and process forms related to consumer files.
• Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, and set priorities.
• Ability to clearly and adequately express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to complete basic computer operations using Windows computer systems and Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to learn and use the databases required by the Department of Aging, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Department of Human Services, and other state-managed databases as needed.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with older adults, veterans, co-workers, outside agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and work with older adults and veterans who are physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or economically challenged.
• Adheres to the agency’s policy of confidentiality.
• Ability to be flexible and assist with a variety of agency programs and duties as needed.
• Travel with occasional overnight status.
• Attend seminars and conferences.
  
  

Requirements

Experience and Requirements:

• Must meet PA residency requirement.
• Employment preference may be given to residents of Northumberland County.
• Must be able to travel throughout Northumberland County and to State-mandated trainings in areas that may or may not be accessible by public transportation.
• Must be willing to travel throughout Northumberland County and as required by the Agency; travel expenses will be reimbursed.
• Must be able to perform essential job functions.
• Required to obtain successful training from the PA Department of Aging within three (3) months of assignment to the position.
• Required to obtain and maintain accreditation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs with training sponsored by the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs within one (1) year of assignment to the position.
• This position is eligible for flex time and flex scheduling
• Minimum Experience and Training –
  
  

A Bachelor’s Degree which includes or is supplemented by twelve (12) college-level credit hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other behavioral sciences; OR three and one-half (3 ½) years of experience as an Aging Case Aide and twelve (12) college-level credit hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other behavioral sciences; OR any equivalent combination of experience and training which adds up to four (4) years of experience and education which includes twelve (12) college-level credit hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other behavioral sciences. Qualifying experience would include coordinating assigned services as part of a consumer’s care and treatment plan, teaching consumer living skills, aiding in therapeutic activities, and providing socialization opportunities for consumers. The following is not considered qualifying experience: providing hands-on personal care for disabled or elderly consumers; maintenance of a consumer’s home, room, or environment; or aiding in adapting the physical facilities of a consumer’s home.