Transition Counselor (Medicaid)

Denver Regional Council of Governments; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Denver Regional Council of Governments seeks a qualified human services professional in Colorado to perform client intake, assessments, and transition planning for older adults and people with disabilities.

You will coordinate with state Medicaid programs, provide counseling, document services, and collaborate with partner agencies to improve community-based care. A bachelor’s degree in gerontology or social work with 1–3 years of related experience is required.

Qualifications

• Performs client interviews, intake and assessments to determine service needs.
• Documents program eligibility status and develops client service plans.
• Coordinates information exchange with other agencies and providers.
• Provides counseling and crisis intervention as needed.
• Maintains case data, reporting and billing records.
• Delivers training and community education on care improvement.
• Maintains confidentiality per laws and standards.
• Educates clients about Medicaid Transition Services benefits.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-reach counseling for older adults in skilled nursing facilities.
• Educate clients about transitions to community-based settings.
• Enter referrals into state data systems and track outcomes.
• Provide information and referral to Medicaid programs.

Skills

Client interviewing

Case management

Crisis intervention

Counseling

Documentation

Data analysis

Communication

Confidentiality

Community outreach

Education

Bachelor’s degree in gerontology, social work or related human services field

Job description

Summary

The hiring salary range for this position is $2,425.00 - $2,911.42/semi-monthly or $4,850.00 - $5,822.84/month depending on qualifications. The Denver Regional Council of Governments serves as a visionary leader along Colorado’s front range. We tackle the BIG issues, like growth and development, transportation and meeting the needs of older adults. Our success is built on, and defined by, long-standing partnerships and serving as a forum for discussing these and other emerging issues in an effort to collectively find innovative solutions. DRCOG is a Regional Planning Commission per Colorado state statute, is the federally designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA), and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Denver region. Our culture and values fuel and inform the work we do, and employees are rewarded with competitive compensation, generous benefits and an adaptable work environment. Sound like a good fit? We’d love to meet you!

Description of Work

This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Division.

• Performs client interviews, intake and assessments to determine service needs and resource requirements; serves as an agency representative with other service providers to address service requirements, availability and needs assessment; makes resource referrals to both internal and external programs; provides client advocacy based on required situations.
• Documents program eligibility status; determines case safety level, emergency status and/or need for crisis intervention or mandatory reporting; determines, develops, and communicates client service action/case plans; monitors and documents plan status and performs follow up on case services.
• Coordinates the exchange of service information and service care provision with other agencies; assists in conflict or behavior management; and assists in the resolution of disagreements among clients, families, systems and service providers.
• Monitors client status; provides counseling and intervention support; conducts on-site client visits and performs needs assessment; determines crisis intervention needs; escalates case management supervision as required.
• Prepares, documents and maintains case and/or program information; collects, manages and analyzes data to produce reports documenting program measures and outcomes; provides recommendations; ensures the maintenance of timely program or case activity tracking, reporting and applicable billing.
• Provides training and community education for groups and individuals; researches and identifies community service needs; collaborates with stakeholders and makes program, process and community service recommendations; prepares and disseminates information; and performs outreach for care improvement. May be responsible for securing, monitoring and reporting special program funding.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.
• Providing in-reach counseling for older adults and adults with disabilities who reside in skilled nursing facilities and desire to transition into a community-based setting;
• Conducting an in-reach counseling assessment with interested clients at the skilled nursing facility;
• Educating clients about options for moving into a community-based setting and managing expectations related to the transition process;
• Entering individualized referrals into the State’s data system for referral to a transition coordination agency and to identify client’s preference to participate in future in-reach counseling conversations;
• Providing information and referral to clients and skilled nursing facility staff regarding the State of Colorado’s Medicaid Transition Services benefit for clients with Medicaid non-Medicaid services available in the community to older adults and adults with disabilities;
• Maintaining confidentiality of client information as required by state and federal laws, regulations, and professional practice standards;
• Providing skilled nursing home clients and staff with objective and accurate information on all aspects of Medicaid and non-Medicaid benefits;
• Conducting training on Medicaid Transition Services and MDS Section Q for skilled nursing facility staff and community providers.
• Documenting all client interactions and tracking multiple attempts to reach clients or their decision-makers.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Age and disability related issues and concerns of adults, their families and caregivers;
• Person-centered practices, including self-determination, informed choice, and autonomy;
• Tools for effective communication including active listening, engagement, and empathy;
• Aging and disability area networks and resources;
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis;
• Best practices, trends and emerging technologies;
• Principles and practices of program administration and management;
• Principles and methods of qualitative and quantitative research;
• Record management principles;
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations (based on assignment);
• Customer service principles;
• Specialized equipment relevant to area of assignment;
• Modern office technology.
• Researching industry trends, solutions and best practices;
• Performing assessment of client situations to determine case management and/or emergency needs;
• Conducting interviews to determine client or program service needs and/or intervention;
• Gathering data, analyzing findings and applying logic and reason;
• Interpreting, monitoring and reporting information and statistics;
• Authoring original reports, documents and presentations;
• Compiling and sorting data and articulating issues and recommendations;
• Coordinating deadlines and prioritizing competing demands;
• Maintaining program or case information;
• Exercising confidentiality;
• Collaborating and facilitating communication with program stakeholders;
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations and standards (based on assignment);
• Providing customer service;
• Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications;
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Familiarity with basic concepts of digital accessibility, including techniques for accessible writing, presenting, remote meetings, and document creation.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in gerontology, social work or related human services field and one to three years of related human services experience. OR An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Status

Full-time, non-exempt

Licensing/Certifications

• Valid Colorado Driver’s License and access to an automobile or to substantively equivalent

alternative transportation.

Employee benefits

01

Which best describes your level of education?

• High School or GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

02

How many years of gerontology, social work or human services work experience do you have?

• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

03

Do you have a bachelor’s degree in social work, gerontology or related field?

• Yes
• No

04

Describe your experience working with older adults and adults with disabilities.

05

Describe how you use a person-centered approach when working with clients.

06

Describe any professional experience or knowledge you have related to long-term care (like a nursing home or similar setting) and Health First Colorado Medicaid programs and waivers.

• Required Question