ADRC Professional

Milwaukee County; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Milwaukee County ADRC is seeking an ADRC Professional – Options Counselor to guide older adults and people with disabilities through long-term care programs. You will assess needs, provide counseling, and help navigate Medicaid-related options within the ADRC framework.

You will maintain certifications, document case notes, and advise on enrollment or disenrollment impacts while collaborating with partner agencies and providers.

Qualifications

• Must be a Wisconsin resident at time of application.
• Valid Wisconsin Driver's License and reliable insured vehicle.
• One of: HS Diploma/GED with 5+ years in human services; AS with 2+ years; BA with 1+ year.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Experience with CARES, ForwardHealth, FSIA, and case management system.
• Long-Term Care Functional Screen certification within 1 month; ongoing.
• Options Counseling Standards certification within 2 months; ongoing.

Responsibilities

• Provide Options Counseling and determine functional eligibility for Wisconsin's LT Care programs.
• Meet customers to assess needs and connect with resources for independent living.
• Document interactions in case management system; complete encounter reports.
• Research providers and programs; offer unbiased information on enrollments.
• Explain financial eligibility, cost share, and program implications to customers.
• Participate in work groups, process improvements, and county initiatives.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Associate degree

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

CARES

ForwardHealth

FSIA

Case management system

Job description

Closing Date: November 16th, 2026, or upon receipt of the first 50 applications

ADRC Professional – Options Counselor

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Starting hourly range from: $26.25 up to $28.00

Job Summary:

Under general supervision, the ADRC Professional position is responsible for completing Options Counseling, determining functional eligibility for Wisconsin’s Long-Term Care programs, Enrollment Counseling, and Disenrollment Counseling. The ADRC Professional meets with customers to assess their current situation, goals, and needs to connect them with resources that allow older adults and adults with disabilities to live as independently as possible with the help they need to be safe and healthy. This role must maintain a vast knowledge of resources and state regulations to successfully complete this job. The functions of this job are required in the ADRC contract with the State of WI.

Job Duties:

• Achieve and maintain Options Counseling Certification throughout the duration of employment. Use online systems to research details of Medicaid eligibility using CARES and ForwardHealth. Meet with customers, families, caregivers, and partner agencies over the phone and in person to assess the customer’s current situation, goals, and needs. Provide accurate and thorough information on resources to meet their needs as well as decision-support to customers navigating the complex world of long-term care. Follow-up with customers to ensure their needs are met.
• Achieve Long-Term Care Functional Screen (LTCFS) certification within 1 month of beginning employment. Maintain certification throughout duration of employment with satisfactory quality reviews and by attending ongoing trainings, maintaining knowledge of state-prescribed instructions and any updates to them, and passing the biennial recertification exam. Utilize motivational interviewing skills with customers and collateral contacts to complete functional assessments covering Activities of Daily Living, such as bathing, dressing, medication management, money management, cognition, memory, and risk. Score abilities according to state instructions and describe observations in professional, objective, detailed narrative in the Gateway/FSIA system. Review and research medical diagnoses and records as they relate to functional deficits. This position completes 15 to 20 functional screens per month.
• Possess extensive knowledge of WI’s Long-Term Care Medicaid programs (Family Care, Partnership, IRIS, and PACE), services, and eligibility. Utilizing DHS/state approved publications, help customers understand the programs without influencing their decision. Provide unbiased information on the Managed Care Organizations and IRIS Consultant Agencies for customers to choose which company in which to enroll. Assist IRIS customers in understanding and choosing one of four Fiscal Employer Agents. Explain to each individual customer how enrollment or disenrollment from Long-Term Care Medicaid programs could impact their specific situation, including financial and personal impact.
• Accurately and thoroughly document each interaction with customers in the case management system with case notes that must meet standards for Options Counseling. Complete state-required encounter reports for every direct contact with customers and collateral contacts. Maintain 100%-time reports in 15-minute increments to receive financial reimbursement from the State of WI. Maintain confidentiality. Update customer records as needed with current demographics.
• Research information on public/private providers as well as programs to provide accurate and current information to customers on resource eligibility, cost, service descriptions, and method to apply/receive services. Effectively explain complicated information to people of varying physical and cognitive abilities including developmental disability, hearing, vision, and memory loss.
• Accurately respond to questions from customers about their financial eligibility for Long-Term Care programs, the initial application process, cost share, patient liability, and how their income/assets affect eligibility. Required to have a comprehensive knowledge of various types of Medicaid, Community Waivers, institutional and Medicare Savings Programs.
• Participate in internal and external work groups, process improvement projects, county initiatives and outreach events/activities. Contribute to best practice discussions regarding processes, case consultation, and services.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A current resident of the state of Wisconsin
• Valid Wisconsin Driver's License and reliable insured personal vehicle; both able to be maintained throughout employment.
• Candidates with one of the following qualifications will be considered:
  • High School Diploma/GED equivalent with at least five (5)yearsof experience in Human Services, Case Management, or related field.
  • Associate degree in human services with at least two (2) yearsof experience in Human Services, Case Management, or related field.
  • Bachelor’s degree in human services with at least one (1) yearof experience in Human Services, Case Management, or related field.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Teams, Word, Excel)
• Intermediate experience with CARES, ForwardHealth, FSIA, case management system
• Must achieve Long-Term Care Functional Screen certification within one (1) month of employment. Note: Ongoing certification is required by passing biennial examination.
• Must achieve Options Counseling Standards certification within two (2) months of employment. Note: Ongoing certification is based on State regulations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and programs relating to social services of the target populations, community resources and services available to target populations. Skills needed for success in this role include customer focus, excellent verbal communication skills, patience, ability to write succinctly, professionalism, critical thinking, and being accountable. ADRC Professionals must have the ability to work collaboratively with other units and organizations within and throughout the county. Proficient in data collection, analysis and in the use of general office equipment.

NOTE:

This ORIGINAL APPLICATIONis open to qualified residents of the State of Wisconsin at the time of application.Candidates need to submit a full account of their training and experience (i.e., by submitting an up-to-date resume or by fully completing the application) during the application process and may also be asked to take additional written or performance tests as part of the selection process.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION