Community Living Specialist

Location: Elkhart South Bend
Department: AAA
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Job Type: Full Time

JOB SUMMARY

This full-time at-will position is responsible for assessing needs and preferences, facilitating goals, providing information, developing service plans, assisting with Medicaid applications and issues, providing options counseling and providing and explaining community resources. This position will provide decision support to participants while assisting them in making educated decisions about options that are available in order for them to maintain their independence.

This position promotes independence of the people we serve and seeks to empower them to maintain, or regain, their ability to care for themselves to the highest degree possible, while continuing to advocate for them when needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES include the following:

  1. Meets with individuals, families, and caregivers to provide comprehensive assessment of needs and facilitate Options Counseling. Identifies the individual’s strengths, values, and preferences, as well as resources available to individuals and their circle of support (formal and informal supports including community organizations).
  2. Travel required throughout the A2AA service area for participant interactions, as well as throughout the state for trainings on a less frequent basis.
  3. Screens individuals for potential eligibility for funding sources and programs. Determines eligibility for on-going home and community based services.
  4. Assists in accessing home and community based services that would meet identified needs including: Taking action to initiate appropriate services; Developing initial service plans; Submitting edibility determination documentation; Updating, reducing, and terminating services based on the individual’s current needs; Following-up to ensure services are meeting the individual’s needs; Using resources wisely by ensuring services are cost-effective, appropriate, and needed.
  5. Assists individual with completing Medicaid application, gathering and submitting required documents, attending application interview, and follow-up until eligibility is determined by the Division of Family Resources, as well as follow up when Medicaid issues arise.
  6. Contacts individual’s preferred vendors to secure provider.
  7. Completes PASRR Level 1, Level of Care Tools, and Options Counseling, as defined by the Division of Aging for long-term care management individuals.
  8. Completes required documentation and reports in a concise and timely manner.
  9. Coordinates work flow and coverage with other agency staff members.
  10. Attends staff meetings and training sessions as scheduled.
  11. Maintains care management standards and meet task timelines.
  12. Contributes actively to the outcomes of the team and meet team expectations.
  13. Alerts Team Leader when consultation is required and works with Team Leader and other disciplines when additional consultation is required.
  14. Contributes to an environment that supports our mission of individual service and care.
  15. Abides by all agency Personnel Policies and Code of Ethics.
  16. Applies person-centered care philosophy and “needs based” service model.
  17. Provides excellent customer service. Serves individuals in a manner that is empowering, encourages independence, patient, compassionate, and individualized.
  18. Advocate on behalf of the individual’s needs.
  19. Other duties as may be assigned and/or requested from time to time in fulfillment of the agency’s mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

A Community Living Specialist is responsible for performing interviews with inquirers and with established individuals to assess their needs, determining eligibility for programs, making recommendations for community services or alternate living arrangements, seeking out resources to meet needs, determining appropriateness of services, and manage Action Plans and Service Plans. This position is responsible for performing ongoing activities that ensure access to all services from which an individual might benefit. Community Living Specialists maintain ongoing case records and make recommendations for community services or alternate living arrangements based on the needs of the individual in their care. The Community Living Specialist recognizes each person’s unique needs and works with the individual’s circle of support (formal and informal supports) to meet needs. Community Living Specialists must be well-versed in evaluating needs based on supporting independence and empowerment and must understand the requirements of various funding sources.  It is essential that work is completed in a quality and timely manner, efficiently and accurate, in accordance with program standards and guidelines. It is sometimes necessary to use some analysis and judgment in determining the best procedure to follow or how to best communicate information to caregivers and inquirers who may be in stressful situations. Travel will primarily be within their designated county, but may be needed throughout the A2AA service area for participant interactions, as well as throughout the state for trainings on a less frequent basis. May have to conduct appointments after normal business hours.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) from an accredited four-year college; or,

An associate’s degree may be considered with four or more years’ experience in human services, assessment, service plan development and implementation.

Obtain and maintain ongoing Care Manager Certification with the Indiana FSSA Division of Aging.

KNOWLEDGE. SKILLS. AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

  • A specialized knowledge of principles and practices developed through relevant experience after a baccalaureate education or nursing equivalent
  • Ability to assess an individual’s specific needs and plan solutions; to understand, empathize, and relate to behavior of individuals; to certify initial and ongoing eligibility for programs and services being authorized on the service plan.
  • Ability to assess specific needs both in person & on telephone; ability to develop rapport quickly
  • Knowledge of options, funding sources, services, resources, and information available through REAL Services and in the Knowledge of in-home and community-based services, funding sources, and eligibility. Understands basics of Medicare, Medicaid, Private insurance, other benefits, and other payment options
  • Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing with good interviewing skills. Ability to tactfully and diplomatically convey decisions to an individual and their family.
  • Ability to organize information, prioritize assignments, complete tasks in a timely manner, and to use sound judgment.
  • Ability and attitude to work productively independently and cooperatively and relate to the needs of the staff, the individual, and the agency.
  • Ability to follow instructions and procedures, to interpret information, and to complete assigned tasks in accurate, concise, and detailed manner.
  • Ability to operate office equipment, including but not limited to phone, facsimile, copy machines, and computer equipment.
  • Ability to learn State- approved software and other computer programs as relevant to successful completion of tasks. Ability to use Microsoft Word, Access, Excel.  Ability to use ipad for care management assessment functions and other related tasks.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK

The work demands sound judgment be exercised in selecting the most tactful approach in communicating with the individual and their family.  All documentation must be accurate and timely.  The work is repetitive in nature inasmuch as the same tools, forms, and procedures are utilized routinely, but does involve variables and considerations when dealing with diverse situations and when preparing a care plan or considering alternatives in individual cases.  Travel will primarily be within their designated county, but may be needed throughout the A2AA service area for participant interactions, as well as throughout the state for trainings on a less frequent basis. May have to conduct appointments after normal business hours.

PERSONAL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

  • With various individuals, their families, and caregivers.
  • With community professionals and agencies.
  • With providers, including being the REAL Services point person for designated assisted living communities serving Aged and Disabled waiver individuals in our service area.
  • With Agency staff members.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform 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 usually seated, standing, or walking at will in a typical office setting. Very limited physical effort required.

  • Valid driver’s license and a dependable vehicle required.
  • Regular and reoccurring travel to meetings, training, and individual visits required.
  • Must means the Agency’s required car insurance coverage level at time employment begins and

maintain it throughout the duration of employment (100,000/300,000/100,000).

  • (For new employee starting 9/1/20 or after) Password protected home personal internet assess of a quality good enough so that you may perform the duties required, including but not limited to basic web browsing and data entry, make internet based phone and video calls, watch webinars, and participate in online meetings.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

  • Must learn any internal resource databases.
  • Must learn the State approved care management systems.
  • Successful candidate must submit to a pre-employment drug screening and a limited criminal history
  • Proof of educational credentials is required at time of employment.
  • This position has a 6 month probationary period.
  • Must sign non-compete clause.

 

Apply for this position

Thank you for applying for this position. Please remember to fill out and upload your Pre-Employment Application and resume.

Download the Pre-Employment Application at: https://realservices.org/app

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