AREA AGENCY ON AGING OF NORTHWEST MICHIGAN

Make a difference in the lives of older adults, caregivers and adults with disabilities! The Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan seeks an energetic, highly organized, experienced community supports specialist. The Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan (AAANM) is the place to turn for assistance with complex issues facing older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers. AAANM links to, coordinates with, and provides a variety of programs, services, and resources within the 10-county service area of northwest Michigan. AAANM is a nonprofit corporation operating as a designated Area Agency on Aging by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and is a Medicaid MI Choice Waiver agent.

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to serve and advocate for older adults, persons with disabilities and caregivers by supporting their independence, dignity, and quality of life.

•The Community Supports Specialist assists older adults and persons with disabilities, along with their families and caregivers, by providing information about supports and resources for aging, caregiving needs, and long-term care planning during critical times. They help individuals and their families navigate the complex landscape of long-term care options by assessing needs, offering information about available services and community-based long-term care options, and guiding them towards the best choice based on their preferences and financial situation. This empowers them to make informed decisions about their long-term care plan.

Job Type:

Full-time, Hybrid Schedule:

Monday through Friday 8am to 4:30pm, with some flexibility for before-and-after-hours support. Three days in office required. Must be available for occasional evening or weekend appointments. Must live within the AAANM service area region.

Benefits:

Health insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Health savings account Life insurance STD/LTD Paid time off Tuition reimbursement 403(b) matching Flexible schedule

Essential Job Functions:

Provide excellent customer service. Demonstrate a desire to serve the community by focusing on understanding the concerns and needs of those seeking long term care options. Use critical thinking, problem solving and knowledge of community resources and programs to best guide individuals with complex situations to find solution to their needs. Develop and maintain an understanding of available long-term care services, settings, and funding sources. Conduct comprehensive assessments with individuals and their families to understand their physical, cognitive, and social needs, as well as their desired living situation and care. Provide accurate information about community resources and long-term support programs. Educate participants on long-term care options, including facilities, service levels, potential costs, and eligibility for government programs. Collaborate with participants and their families to create a person-centered care plan that aligns with their needs and goals, including service referrals and advocacy for appropriate care. Provide unbiased guidance and facilitating informed decision-making regarding the most suitable long-term care option for the individual. Assist individuals with Medicare related information, counseling and enrollment support, and provide coverage for the Medicare Assistance Counselor during absences and periods of increased demand. Complete necessary follow up to those interacting with Community Support Specialist to monitor progress, identify barriers, support participant needs, and update action plans as necessary. Document all interactions in participant record in accordance to professional standards and program requirements. Attend organizational, team and other meetings as required or scheduled. Attend and participate in community meetings and workgroups as assigned by Supervisor. Supports departmental and organizational efficiency, effectiveness, and impact to change for sustainability of the organization. Maintain HIPAA compliance and confidentiality at all times regarding participant and co-worker information per all agency guidelines. Be an advocate to continually seek ways to improve process and procedures. Ensure the responsibilities of the position are always handled in a safe and responsible manner. Qualifications Education and/or Experience Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (preferred). Other Human Services degree (considered). Experience working with older adults, caregivers, and crisis work (preferred). Experience working in long term care option and / or community programs (preferred). Community resource navigation experience (preferred). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required Represent the Agency's set of core beliefs and values. Establish and maintain productive communication and working relationships with individuals inside/outside the Agency including consumers, guardians, management, community partners, coworkers and support staff. Effective written and verbal communication skills to convey and receive information (in person, via telehealth, on the phone, or through e-mail correspondence) and accurately document all forms of communication in appropriate locations. Attention to detail. Good organizational, analytical, and judgment skills to manage time, prioritize, work independently, and handle multiple tasks. Use of judgement, management, and ability to delegate and utilize appropriate resources in the organization for conflict management. Use critical thinking, problem solving and knowledge of agency to appropriate address complex situations. Knowledge of community resources, eligibility criteria for various programs, and long-term care options. Ability to conduct comprehensive assessment of individuals health status. Excellent listening skills and ability to decipher individuals' needs and concerns. Ability to handle high pressure calls from those who may be overwhelmed or in crisis. Ability to show and maintain empathy and compassion. Maintain knowledge of and information about community resources. Maintain competency in aging issues including dementia. Ability to effectively use telehealth technology to conduct participant interviews, as needed and per HIPPA guidelines. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software and standard office equipment. Ability to use standard office equipment including computers, calculators, and telephones. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Perform duties in an office setting where the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers routinely. May include being in a participant's home, if required. Hybrid work which will include on-site presence in the Agency office at 1609 Park Drive, Traverse City. Driving within the 10-county region and to statewide meetings may be necessary Physical Demands The physical demands 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. Sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods of time, walk/move around and stand, talk and hear and use hands to handle, control or feel objects, tools or controls. Lift up to 25 pounds. Use close vision and ability to focus on computer screens and documents; distance vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; color vision. Ability to drive within the 10-county region. Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Job Type:

Full-time Benefits:

403(b) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Referral program Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Traverse City, MI 49686