Aging Assessor II

POSITION SUMMARY

This position works as both a certified assessor and intake worker with in the Agency. Job responsibilities will be split between these functions as assigned. The incumbent in this position is expected to maintain the highest level of professional ethics, continually seeking opportunities for increased knowledge, growth and development.

Intake: The intake functions of this position acts as the primary point of contact for general public and often times other agencies and providers. Intake workers receive phone or in person inquiries, provide information to the public, clients or other agencies and assist clients with arising aging related issues and applications. This position is responsible for resource management and distribution, agency program development and disbursement, all agency referrals applicable to protective services, ombudsman and assessment, and taking all Report of Need that are required by providers, facilities and agencies to meet requirements for mandatory abuse reports. Assessment: This assessment function requires state certification. This position is responsible for completing level of care determination assessments on consumers in the community and in facilities. This position assists consumers with the first step of the application process to home and community based services through programs available to residents of the Commonwealth. The Assessor is required to work within mandated timeframes for completion of the assessment. It is necessary to ensure all assessments are comprehensive and all necessary paperwork is submitted to ensure proper processing.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions

* Gather consumer information applicable to completing state-mandated forms to determine levels of care of program eligibility.
* Input data timely and accurately, including case documentation and the completion of assessment tools, into the designated statewide database.
* Interface with all Berks County Area Agency on Aging programs, County Assistance Office, providers, and referral sources in a professional and cooperative manner.
* Ensure follow-up with referral sources, request paperwork as needed to ensure full completion of the assessment process.
* Serves as a mentor to new unit workers.
* Attend staff, team and in-service meetings on a monthly basis and other trainings or meetings as required.
* Participate in ongoing problem solving, program evaluation, and development with team and all staff.
* Represent agency and program policies, procedures and objectives to applicants, referral sources, providers and the public.
* Perform on-call, after hours duties as assigned.
* Adhere to all policies, laws, regulations and codes of ethics and confidentiality as outlined by federal and state laws as well as agency policies and procedures.
* Other duties as assigned.

When assigned Scheduler duties, this position will be responsible for the following (for assessment purposes):

* Completion of the assessment case record which includes assembling and distributing required documents to appropriate entities.
* Ensuring follow-up with referral sources, requests required documentation as needed.
* Scheduling all assigned referrals for Assessors.
* Providing explanation of assessment process to individuals when scheduling assessments.

MINIMUM EDUCATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

* One year experience in public or private social work and a Bachelor's Degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 semester hours credit in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related social sciences; or a Bachelor's degree with a social welfare major; or any equivalent combination of experience and training including successful completion of 12 semester hours credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related social science OR
* Two years of case work experience including one year of experience performing assessments of client's functional ability to determine the need for institutional or community-based services and a bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 semester hours credit in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related social science OR
* One-year assessment experience and a Bachelor's degree with social welfare major OR
* Any equivalent combination of experience or training including completion of 12 semester credit hours of college level courses in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related social sciences. One year experience in the AAA system may be substituted for one-year assessment experience.
* Related advanced education may be substituted for a segment of the experience requirement and related experience may be substituted for required education except for the required 12 semester credit hours in the above majors."
* Certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a certified assessor. Certification must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
* Valid PA Driver's License.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

* Ability to work with individuals with cognitive or mental deficits that may be related to the aging process, mental health or developmental disabilities.
* Ability to quickly acquire necessary knowledge and manage a high volume of clientele and documentation with attention to productivity.
* Ability to manage a variety of task simultaneously including the completion of multiple assessments on a daily basis to meet required timelines.
* Ability to adapt to situations which includes responding to high risk situations.
* Skill in prioritizing work flow and attention to detail.
* Skill in advocating for the rights of seniors along with a high standard of professional ethics.
* Desire to work with seniors and obtain additional education/training.
* Skill in the use of various computer programs including Windows and Microsoft Office, agency databases and state assessment tools.
* Possess advocacy skills and a sense of professional ethics
* High level of adaptability which includes being flexible and responding to high risk situations.
* Ability to handle stress.
* Physical presence in the office is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds a distance of fifteen (15) feet or less.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Normal office environment. This position requires individuals to be office based and have the ability to work remotely while performing some assessment functions. While performing assessment functions, workers must have access to transportation, be able to make home visits (including areas where public transportation may not be available) and attend required meetings and trainings. Evenings and weekends are occasionally required for on-call work.

This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed where appropriate.