Somerset County

Job Description

Dated: October 3, 2013

POSITION:Aging Care Manager 1 for the Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County

(FLSA Status: Non-Exempt)

REORTS TO:Aging Care Management Supervisor for the Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County

HOURS OF WORK:Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

An Aging Care Manager 1 position for the Area Agency on Aging of

Somerset County participates in formal and informal training sessions, which provide the methods, procedures, rules, and regulations that govern the program and the internal operations of the Area Agency on Aging to which the employee is assigned. This individual is also provided with an increasingly more difficult series of work assignments during their employment in this class title. As knowledge and skills are acquired, the difficulty of assignments increase through individual and group conferences, reading and evaluating records and reports, assignments of professional reading, attendance at training classes, and other training devices. This individual will complete psychosocial assessments and develop care plans that will define met and unmet needs of the consumer. The consumer will be assisted in meeting their individual care needs through the use of Agency and community resources. Monitoring will be required to assure that care needs are being met according to the standards defined by the Department of Aging. This individual will be required to complete data entry within the statewide reporting systems known as SAMS for each consumer assigned to their caseload. An Aging Care Manager 1 is required to complete assessments and perform other related duties within the defined Aging program, as needed.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Any combination equivalent to education and experience that provides the required skill and knowledge is qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:

A Bachelor's Degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 college-level credit hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology or other related social sciences; or three and one-half years of experience as an Aging Case Aide and 12 college-level credit hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology or other related social sciences; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college-level credit hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology or other related social sciences.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess the ability to obtain information necessary for assisting consumers in obtaining a variety of social services designed for older Adults on the basis of established policy. An employee in this class title must possess the knowledge of current social, economic and health problems, the knowledge of individual and group behavior, the ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities and learn to maintain a consumer caseload in an effective and timely manner, the ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and work with adults who are physically, mentally, emotionally disabled or economically disadvantaged, the ability to adequately express ideas orally and in writing and to interpret laws and regulations, the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, other members of the staff, outside agencies and institutions and the general public and the ability to maintain agency confidentiality standards. Computer skills are required to access, manage, and monitor consumer records through the Senior Assessment Management System (SAMS).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES:

An employee in this classification is responsible for performing assignments that are care management in nature and are carried out in accordance with established federal, state and local regulations and policies. Specific job duties include the following:

This represents a trainee position for Care Manager 2, and this individual will be responsible for learning the job responsibilities of Care Manager 2 through observation and showing. As this worker’s knowledge and skills increase, it is expected that he/she will begin to handle contacts independently.

  • Completes online self-study training programs for ISP, NFCE and SAMS.
  • Reviews Care Management program manuals.
  • Meets with department heads to acquire a knowledge base of agency structure and organizations and of the Agency’s programs and service providers.
  • Learns how to identify appropriate Agency and community services available to meet consumer needs, as assessed and plan for care provision under the supervision of an Aging Care Management Supervisor.
  • Shadows an Aging Care Manager 2 as they counsel consumers and their families to enable them to recognize and prioritize their needs.
  • Along with a CM2, discusses care plans with consumers and responsible family members and obtain consent to implement.
  • With guidance from a CM2 and supervisor, implements care plans for coordinated service delivery by referring consumers to community service providers and by working cooperatively with Agency staff to arrange for direct services.
  • Advocates for consumers who require intensive and long-term assistance.
  • Accompanies other care managers on scheduled home visits for reassessments and revisions of care plans, according to established Agency procedures.
  • Reviews cases with supervisor and identifies the potential eligibility for consumers regarding additional financial benefits, such as Social Security, Black Lung, SSI, PACE, etc., and assists the consumer in completing applications for these benefits.
  • Provides or arranges for consumer transportation and supportive assistance for social service appointments, medical appointments, etc., when required, as part of the care plan.
  • With assistance from supervisor, documents all action taken on the consumers’ behalf in the individual consumer case files located on the computerized database.
  • Learns how to develop care plans to meet consumer needs by reviewing the consumers’ comprehensive assessment that has been completed by the Care Management staff.
  • Assures that all policies and regulations are met regarding consumer information in the Senior Assessment Management System (SAMS).
  • Provides financial information to the Agency Fiscal Department as needed.
  • Completes yearly paperwork for ongoing guardianships as needed
  • Assists the consumer in the development and use of their own potential and resources for adequately resolving their own social, health and emotional problems.
  • Assists the consumer in utilizing various community resources to meet identified needs.
  • Makes appropriate referrals, with follow-up to other public and private social agencies and community resources in related fields concerning the needs and problems of the consumer.
  • Prepares social studies and case histories and reports concerning information secured and services rendered and attends training courses and staff meetings.
  • Perform other related duties in the defined aging program as needed.
  • Attends work on a regular basis.
  • Maintains a professional appearance and demeanor.
  • Attends all required meetings and trainings.
  • Adheres to and promotes maintenance of Agency confidentiality guidelines.
  • Adheres to and promotes Agency policies and procedures.
  • Operates and maintains Agency vehicles in a safe manner.
  • Promotes safety awareness.
  • Performs other related duties as required.

Work Environment/Physical Standards:

The work environment and physical demand characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods, use a computer keyboard, write, talk and hear; stand and lift up to ten (10) pounds occasionally. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required by the Aging Care Management Supervisor.

Signature: ______Date: ______

Supervisor’s Signature: ______Date: ______