Independent Living Services - Transitions Coordinator & Options Counselor

At Your Access Advocates, we believe access changes lives. Our team is made up of passionate professionals who are committed to advocacy, inclusion, and consumer-directed support. If you’re looking for work that matters, where your voice, experience, and compassion make an impact, then YAA is the place for you.

Individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply!

Company: Your Access Advocates, Inc. (YAA) is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit agency founded in 1975 by a core group of young adults with disabilities. YAA is a consumer-directed, multi-programmed, multifaceted agency, dedicated to the empowerment of all persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible. YAA provides five core services: Advocacy, Skills training, Peer support, Information and Referral and Transitions.

YAA is currently seeking qualified candidates to fill the Nursing Facility Transitions Coordinator & Options Counselor position.

Responsibilities:

• Providing consumer-directed and interactive decision-support to consumers, family members, caregivers and/or significant others in hospitals, nursing facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and community settings who are planning for long term services and supports, including those who need assistance transitioning from nursing facilities to the community.
• Outreach to hospitals, community agencies, nursing facilities, and other long-term care facilities to inform the individuals and staff regarding options counseling and available transition supports.
• Gathering information necessary to ensure services and support options provided and referrals made are viable and appropriate based on the consumer’s preferences, needs and goals, as determined by the consumer.
• Ensuring timely and appropriate referrals and follow-up is made.
• For individuals requesting nursing facility transition supports, developing a person-centered transition plan to inform and guide individuals of options for community living, assisting with application for HCBS waivers, if applicable. Coordinating the transition from the facility-based to community-based setting through the provision of transitional assistance services such as housing search, coordination/purchasing of Transitional Assistance goods and services, and post-transitional coordination and support.
• Timely completion of data entry into multiple data systems to record, collect, and maintain current updated clinical and demographic information on consumers; assist IL Department with completion of required monthly and quarterly reports.
• Maintaining and contributing to a resource database on community organizations, long term care services and support options, public and private payer resources, applications, etc.
• Maintaining consumer service records and follow-up on referrals.
• Participating in internal and external trainings to expand knowledge base and improve quality of services provided.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

• Frequent communication (orally and/or in writing) with consumers, staff, medical providers, state agencies, business partners/vendors and other third parties.
• Conducting group presentations.
• Understanding the requirements of Options Counseling and the MFP and Nursing Home Initiative programs and to be able to assess, teach, evaluate, educate, direct, refer the consumer/guardian regarding the scope and responsibilities of the programs.
• Traveling within service area and beyond as needed.
• Maintaining strict confidentiality for the relevant population (consumers).
• Writing individualized care plans.

Education:

• High School or equivalent (GED) required; bachelor’s degree in related field (health, social service or human services preferred) required. With state authorization, bachelor’s degree requirements can be waived for relevant years of related experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years related experience required ­­­­­­working with community resources and local service system for persons with disabilities/ (older persons) and how to arrange for services.
• Discharge/transition planning
• Excel, Microsoft Office, data base management
• Information & Referral
• Teaching Independent Living skills and providing advocacy while promoting self-empowerment

Possess the ability to:

• Work independently and as a team member
• Work effectively with individuals with diverse disabilities and cultures
• Prioritize and meet deadlines
• Problem solve
• Provide guidance and advocacy
• Accurately enter information into database.
• Use office machinery, including calculators.

Familiarity with:

• Independent Living issues and philosophy.
• MassHealth, state agencies and provider service system available to serve individuals with disabilities/ (older persons).
• State and Federal housing regulations.
• Civil rights for individuals with disabilities

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Remain in a stationary/standing position for extended periods of time

This job description is subject to change at any time.

Pay: $20.21 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Referral program
• Retirement plan

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Human Services and community resources: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Worcester, MA 01608

Salary : $20