JOB SUMMARY

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

ESSENTIAL DUTIES include the following:

1. Completes comprehensive assessments of needs with individuals, families, and caregivers in participants’ homes.
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. Participates in care coordination activities with members of the individual’s care team.
4. Meets with individuals, families, and caregivers to provide comprehensive assessments and options counseling.
5. Screens clients for potential eligibility for funding sources and programs.
6. Assists in accessing home and community based services that would meet identified
7. 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.
8. Contacts individual’s preferred vendors to secure provider.
9. Develops initial service plan and submit Eligibility Determination recommendations.
10. Completes Expedited Waiver Eligibility Assessments, Options Counseling, and target for in-home services as defined by the Division of Aging.
11. Transitions individual to long-term case management provide when applicable.
12. Completes required documentation and reports in a concise and timely manner.
13. Coordinates work flow and coverage with other agency staff members.
14. Attends staff meetings and training sessions as scheduled.
15. Works with direct supervisor and/or other disciplines when additional consultation is required.
16. Provides excellent customer service. Serves inquirers and participants in a manner that is empowering, patient, compassionate, and individualized.
17. Applies person-centered care philosophy and “needs based” service model.
18. Provides an interactive experience and guidance in consult with the individual, their representative, and informal supports, as applicable.
19. Identifies the individual strengths, values, preferences and goals, including the identification of all current formal and informal supports.
20. Other duties as may be assigned and/or requested from time to time in fulfillment of the agency’s mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The person holding this position must be comfortable being in a participant’s homes and other community settings. Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mind-set are vital to the success of this position. Field Options Counselors must be well versed in the various funding sources, as well as resources and programs available in the community that are beneficial to the inquirer. It is essential that work is completed in a quality and timely manner and 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. Efficient and accurate work is critical to ensure initiation of services.

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

• Knowledge of in-home and community-based services, funding sources, and eligibility.
• Knowledge of options, funding sources, services, resources, and information available through REAL Services and in the
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing with good interviewing skills.
• Ability to assess specific needs both in person & on telephone; ability to develop rapport quickly and to empathize and understand individual behaviors.
• 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 use Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams and other computer programs.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK

The work demands sound judgment be exercised to select the most tactful approach in communicating with callers.  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.  Contact is primarily face-to-face in a hospital setting, as well as in individuals’ homes on a less frequent basis. May have to conduct appointments after normal business hours.

PERSONAL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Direct interactions with clients and their families, and caregivers. Primary contact will be with individuals who experienced a setting change.
• Direct interactions also occurs with community professionals and agencies, including in-home services providers.
• Will interact Agency staff, including other members of the Care Management Department, as well as other departments.
• Direct interactions with service providers and members of the individual’s care team.

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.

• Must meet 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 Vision Link.
• Must learn the State approved case management system.
• 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.
• Must complete and maintain Indiana FSSA Division of Aging Care Management Certification.