Options Counselor, Veteran Directed Care-Pennsylvania

Bay Aging; Erie (Erie County); Remote; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Bay Aging seeks an Options Counselor to provide person-centered counseling to Veterans enrolled in the Veterans Directed Care program in Erie, PA and surrounding areas. The role emphasizes home visits, needs assessment, and development of spending plans to help Veterans avoid nursing home placement.

Essential duties include coordinating supports, monitoring expenditures, and providing regular reporting. The position requires strong communication, organizational skills, and the ability to work

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience with seniors, disabled adults or case management.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services or medical field preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data entry.

Responsibilities

• Conduct home visits (50% of time) including initial assessments and development of spending plans.
• Assist Veterans in becoming an employer; facilitate new hire appointments; conduct regular contact and reassessments.
• Maintain confidential client records and process expenditures; generate monthly reports; perform satellite office administration.
• Work independently with regular reporting to supervisor; manage travel and scheduling.
• Collaborate with Veterans, families, and agency partners to coordinate supports and services.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Data entry

Organizational skills

Customer service

Verbal communication

Written communication

Conflict mediation

Interpersonal skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work / human services

Tools

Database software

Job description

CANDIDATES MUST LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA- ERIE AND SURROUNDING AREAS.Provides person-centered counseling services to Veterans enrolled in the Veterans Directed Care program. VDC is a program that serves eligible veterans of any age who are at risk of nursing home placement. The Options Counselor is responsible works with the Veteran to identify their needs and develop a spending plan to meet those needs. He or she works with the Veteran to assess, identify, coordinate and monitor supports and services on an ongoing basis. The Options Counselor monitors all VDC spending along with the Veteran, the Financial Management Service (FMS) provider and the VAMC. Reports directly to Options Counselor, Team Lead, VDC. Location: Erie, PA and surrounding areas.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Home visits (50% including travel time): This includes initial assessments in the client’s home, development of a spending plan, assisting the Veteran with the process of becoming an employer, facilitating new hire appointments, conducting monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual required contacts and reassessments as needed. Provide training and remediation as necessary related to employer responsibilities. Suggested maximum case load 40 veterans per Options Counselor.Office work (50%): Follow up on referrals and service implementations for clients. Maintains, updates, and monitors clients' confidential information, services and file notes in data base program as required. Performs fiscal duties as required under Veterans Directed Care program. Maintains accurate records of expenditures, schedules & generates monthly reports as required; responsible for satellite office administration as assigned.DECISION MAKING:Performs a range of tasks and duties independently, without direct supervision. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals, advocate for clients, families, community partners.Maintains travel schedule and related expense reports. Organizes and prioritizes schedule and duties independently.Provides regular reports and updates to supervisor in conflict resolution if warranted.Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesMicrosoft Office programs (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and standard office equipmentData entry and evaluationStrong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and multitask.Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.Excellent verbal communication skills face-to-face and on the phone.Excellent written communication skills (letters, memos, reports, emails).Ability to mediate conflict and engage clients in problem solving conversations.Understanding of client confidentiality, recording client data, and accurately entering information into computer systems in a timely manner.Decision making: Work independently when necessary. Handle a variety of tasks autonomously with regular reporting to supervisor and co-workers.Detail oriented — maintain schedule, services, communications & advocacies for clients.Establish and maintain trusting relationships with clients and their families in all circumstances Interact and work well with other agency departments, staff & employees.WORKING ENVIRONMENT:Office-based position with minimal physical requirements (ability to lift 15 lbs., walking and climbing stairs). Requires regular independent travel. Approximately 90% of the essential functions of the position can be performed remotely.3 or more years of experience working with seniors, disabled adults, human services or general case management field. Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services or medical field preferred. Criminal History background check required.FLSA status: This is an exempt position.Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. From time to time, the supervisor will ask job holder to perform additional duties related to the completion of the work.Bay Aging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran, or disability status. Bay Aging is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact MaDena DuChemin, Director, Human Resources at [phone], Ext. 1228 or [e-mail].