Caregiver Specialist

Title: Caregiver Specialist

FLSA Status: Full-time, Salary, non-exempt

Department: Programs

Reports To: Manager, Title III Programs

About Us

Pathlights is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to assisting older people who reside in southwest suburban Cook County.

Our mission: Pathlights informs, supports and empowers individuals and families as they navigate aging.

Our vision: To foster a culture where aging is valued, and individuals, families and communities thrive.

Overview

The Caregiver Specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive clinical support services and assistance to caregivers of older adults and grandparents and other relatives raising children. The Caregiver Specialist works closely with local organizations to promote program awareness and conducts regular community outreach to increase caregiver participation.

Position Responsibilities

Counseling

• Prepare comprehensive assessment of caregiver needs during home visits using approved assessment tools.

• Provide counseling for complex cases, maintaining appropriate client files, and establishing and documenting a counseling care plan.

• Consult with staff, other aging network staff, and the community on caregiver issues.

• Complete related documentation, maintain appropriate files, and ensure client confidentiality; handle detailed, complex concepts and problems, and balances multiple tasks simultaneously.

Outreach

• Create an outreach plan which targets caregivers of older adults, and grandparents and other relatives raising children.

• Develop strategies to increase awareness of caregiver issues (both for older adult caregivers and relatives raising children).

• Stay abreast of current local, regional, state, and federal programs, benefits, and services available to older persons.

Training and Education

• Coordinate annual caregiver training and education activities in accordance with established guidelines for caregiver training and education requirements.

• Support the development and implementation of methods to evaluate training and education activity effectiveness and report results.

• Develops and maintains working knowledge of technology and assistive devices related to caregiving.

Support Groups

• Recruit, plan, and lead support groups for caregivers.

• Create and manage an up-to-date schedule of local support group options for caregivers which includes evening and weekend program options.

• Routinely evaluate progress of support groups and make recommendations for ongoing improvements, program changes or enhancements.

Respite

• Coordinate respite services and provide relevant information for respite services to caregivers.

• Cultivate relationships with respite vendors.

• Maintain service requests, document case notes and care plans, create reports and coordinate timely delivery of reports.

Gap-filling

• Assess clients' needs for gap-filling services; manage arrangements to fulfill approved requests in a timely manner.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, sociology, gerontology, or related fields.

• One year of experience working in social services or with aging. Experience in counseling and support group facilitation experience preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently under minimal supervision to establish priorities and manage casework.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable with public speaking and making presentations to groups.

• Success engaging with diverse groups while representing organization at community, legislative, and networking events.

Benefits

· We will provide full, comprehensive training in a supportive, friendly environment.

· Hybrid home-office schedule possible after 6 months

· Health & AFLAC available

· Life & Dental free to employees

· 403b with generous employer contribution

· Generous time-off benefit

· Salary range: 42,000 – 45,000

This position requires a car, valid license and proof of auto insurance for local travel.

All employees must successfully pass a criminal background check.