About Job

Job Title: Options Counselor

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience and within budget constraints.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in human services related field from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred.

Experience: 2 years’ experience working with people with disabilities and older persons in the areas of aging and/or disabilities services, community health, nursing home or hospital discharge planning. Familiarity with the aging network, community organizations and resources for seniors is desirable. Some experience with data entry and data management required.

Requirements: Ability to manage, lead, and support Person Centered Options Counseling (PCOC) and State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) program guidelines and principles. Familiarity with the aging network, community organizations and resources for seniors is desirable. Knowledge of disability issues with understanding and commitment to Independent Living philosophy and consumer direction is desirable. In-depth knowledge of long-term supports and services, community resources, and local service systems for persons with disabilities and older persons is desirable. Successful completion of all required trainings and certifications for SHIP, MIPPA, and PCOC. Ability and willingness to advocate on behalf of clients and beneficiaries. Good organizational skills. Demonstrates ability to problem solve and follow through to resolution. Travel throughout The Senior Alliance region is required. Volunteer management experience a plus. Eagerness to conduct outreach and network with local community groups on behalf of clients and No Wrong Door programs. Has excellent communication, excellent interpersonal, organizational and follow-up skills. Is accurate, conscientious and flexible with attention to detail. Is proficient with computers and telephone functions. Accepts direction, is well organized, and can meet deadlines. Able to ask for help/guidance when needed, maintain strict confidentiality, and ability to work together with individuals with diverse disabilities. Willingness to work in a team environment and ability to work alone. Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. The Senior Alliance is a non-profit 501c(3) where philanthropy on behalf of the agency is a requirement for all employees. Perform job functions with ethics, honesty and integrity. Must be on-time and ready to work for scheduled hours.

General Job Description: Provides person-centered long-term services and supports (LTSS) options counseling and Medicare counseling to clients in the setting of their choice. Conducts personal interviews, develops Person-Centered Action Plans, provides access to resources, conducts follow-up, and facilitates interactive decision-making processes to support clients making informed decisions regarding LTSS. Provides overall leadership and management for a specific local SHIP/MIPPA site. Conducts accurate and timely data collection and reporting, including time tracking.

Physical Requirements Regularly required to sit for extended periods of time, work on repetitive tasks and motions, and spend long hours using office equipment; including computers. Transporting technology, signage, and supplies to community events. Must have the ability to lift 40 pounds.

Duties:

Provide unbiased consumer-directed, person-centered, and interactive LTSS options counseling to clients planning for long term services and supports in the setting of their choice.
Provide unbiased consumer-directed, person-centered, and interactive Medicare counseling to beneficiaries in the setting of their choice.
Gather information necessary to ensure services and support options provided and referrals made are viable and appropriate based on the client’s preferences, needs, and goals, as determined by the client.
Conduct personal interviews with clients to identify preferences, needs, goals, etc.
Develop person-centered action plans for clients based on personal preferences, needs, goals, etc.
Provide comprehensive, unbiased resources and facilitate access to resources.
Ensure timely and appropriate follow-up on person-centered action plan is made with all PCOC clients.
Provide clients with assistance completing benefits enrollment applications as applicable.
Maintain adherence to program policies, procedures, and operating standards.
Travel throughout The Senior Alliance service area to conduct program outreach and options counseling services.
Completes accurate and timely documentation and reporting of PCOC and SHIP/MIPPA activities and client contacts using the appropriate forms and on-line data tracking and reporting programs and systems.
Coordinates workflow and coverage with other agency staff members.
Works with direct supervisor and/or other disciplines when additional consultation is required.
Provides excellent customer service. Serves clients in a manner that is empowering, patient, compassionate, and individualized.
Assure all client records are maintained according to documentation procedures and standards.
Track and gather data and information necessary to ensure required reports are accurate, complete, and submitted on time.
Engage in interagency collaboration and education activities.
Participate in programmatic evaluation and quality assurance activities as directed.
Assists in the recruitment and mentoring of volunteers and team members to ensure they understand the responsibilities of the position and are willing to make the necessary commitment.
Responsible for recording and tracking SHIP/MIPPA team community outreach and publicity.
Adheres to the No Wrong Door program policy manuals, including PCOC and SHIP/MIPPA policy manuals.
Oversees the provision of client satisfaction survey materials, at the request of MDHHS.
Attends required local, statewide and national training, and other SHIP/MIPPA activities as required.
Other duties as assigned.