ADRC Resource Specialist

WAUSHARA COUNTY POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: ADRC Resource Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Department of Aging & Disability Services

FUNCTION

The ADRC Resource Specialist provides information and assistance services, long-term care options

counseling, enrollment and disenrollment counseling, and functional eligibility determination primarily to adults ages 60 and older and adults with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities, or their caregiver. The Resource Specialist helps empower individuals to make informed choices and to streamline access to appropriate services and supports.

This position is located in and serves primarily Waushara County, and also supports service delivery in a multi-county region including Adams and Green Lake counties.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Fulfills a customer service role, ensuring that the consumer experiences a welcoming atmosphere with prompt, accurate, informative, and friendly assistance.

2. Uses communication skills (professional greeting, warm tone of voice, courteous and appropriate language), interviewing techniques, and active listening to provide information and build rapport with an unhurried attitude by phone, in person or through email.

3. Gathers sufficient information to accurately identify and clarify inquirer’s problems and needs, explores needs beyond the presenting problem looking at short and long-term solutions. Confirms and clearly communicates the accuracy of needs assessment.

4. Searches through the resource database, as well as other written and computer-based information resources, to identify, evaluate and suggest potential programs and services.

5. Both in person and on the telephone, provides information about public and private programs and services and makes referrals to help the consumer get connected to appropriate services. Assists individuals in connecting with a resource if they are unable; provides advocacy.

6. Performs home visits at a time and place that best meets the consumer’s schedule, primarily within standard business hours. Provides options counseling to help prioritize needs while giving specifics on eligibility processes to apply for services and resources.

7. Provides information about publicly funded long-term care programs, administers the Long-Term Care Functional Screen to determine functional eligibility, and assists with enrollment and disenrollment processes.

8. Assists individual in completing Medicaid applications and other public benefit program applications (e.g., Food Share), if applicable. Collects preliminary financial data (including medical and remedial expenses) and refers to Income Maintenance for eligibility determination.

9. Provides follow-up according to policy to determine outcomes and offer additional assistance in locating resources and arranging services.

10. Provides short-term service coordination according to ADRC policy.

11. Provides preadmission consultation to persons who have been referred to the ADRC by a nursing home, community based residential facility, or residential care apartment complex, and transition assistance for individuals relocating back to their home.

12. Participates in various transition activities designed to help youth who have a disability transition from school to the adult service system.

13. Participates in program development, marketing and outreach activities including representing the ADRC at public information fairs, and quality assurance/quality improvement projects.

14. Maintains documentation in a timely fashion with complete notes in the database that contain unbiased and accurate information.

15. Completes ADRC 100% time reporting in a timely manner and attends on-going training.

16. Participates in staff meetings and on-going training as directed, maintaining current knowledge to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.

17. Adheres to the AIRS (Alliance of Information Referral Systems) national standards.

18. Maintains the confidentiality of client information as required by state and federal laws and regulations and professional practice standards.

19. Complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws and administrative rules, established agency procedures, and accepted professional standards.

20. Engages in planning activities to prevent or minimize service disruption in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency and assists in maintaining essential services during these events.

21. Other duties as assigned. May be required to perform activities outside normal business hours.

WORKING ELEMENTS

A. Education, Training and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a health or human services related field or a license to practice as a registered nurse in Wisconsin (pursuant to Wis. Stats. §441.06) required.
• 1-3 years of paid or unpaid experience working with one or more of the client populations served by the ADRC.
• Certified by the National Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) as a Certified Information and Referral Specialist (CIRS or CIRS-A) within two years of hire.
• Long-term functional screen training and certification within six months of hire.
• Completes Department of Health Services training and certification for options counseling within six months of hire.
• Completes Ethics and Boundaries training within the first year of hire and every two years thereafter.

B. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work harmoniously, constructively, and cooperatively with other professionals, clients, their families, community service providers, and other members of the public.
• Requires interpersonal and leadership skills, functional reasoning, judgment, and the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations independent of direct supervision.
• Ability to listen effectively and without judgment, applying interviewing skills to identify and assess need and to effectively express verbally creative and helpful options for assistance.
• Requires strong organizational skills, the ability to follow directions, and can complete a variety of professional documents, assessments, reports, and documentation in a timely manner.
• Requires the ability to learn, comprehend, retain, and apply information regarding agency policies and available community residential, recreational, and program and support resources including regulations governing applicable state and federal entitlement programs.
• Ability to recognize and effectively manage emergency situations and connect individuals to emergency service providers.
• Ability to tolerate the stresses associated with deadlines, customer service, and quality enhancement; able to maintain composure in situations with agitated clients or other involved parties.
• Ability to provide culturally competent services and supports.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of client, staff, and agency information.
• Competence and comfort in public speaking and engaging community members and professionals.
• Basic computer skills, and ability to learn database systems to record and report program data.
• Must be able to hold and maintain a valid Wisconsin driver’s license and to travel independently to designated locations upon assignment. Physically able to operate agency vehicles.
• Ability to pass background checks conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services.

C. Responsibility and Authority

This position is managed collaboratively between both the Department of Aging Director and the tri- county Aging & Disability Resource Center Director. Administrative supervision provided by the Department of Aging Director; daily ADRC program direction and activity is supervised by the ADRC Director. Responsible for regular and predictable attendance

D. Working Conditions

The normal work environment for this position is in an office setting with direct public contact. Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time while answering phones and using a computer, and to hear and comprehend verbal communication. There is some bending, and minimal lifting. Noise level is typically moderate. Blood borne pathogen exposure is considered low to moderate. Flexibility to work a varied schedule as needed to meet the needs of assigned clients, and to provide community and employer outreach. Frequent travel is required to a variety of locations including to private homes.

This position is classified as essential in the event of a county disaster or other emergency.

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here 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

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $24.09 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• 1-3 years of paid or unpaid experience

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24 - $23