Aging Care Manager III (Adult Protective Services - Berks Area Agency on Aging)

About the role

This advanced care manager position requires knowledge of legal issues, client rights, social service theory, medical diagnoses, and mental health. The role involves reviewing and collaborating with subcontractors, medical, legal, and financial professionals, and community organizations to assess and address clients’ situations. Employees may handle protective services and/or intensive care management case loads across homes and facilities in the County. Responsibilities include specialized casework for clients at imminent risk, with a focus on protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse, exploitation, abandonment, or self-neglect. Legal and statutory time frames govern aspects of the work, and employees must exercise independent judgment while maintaining high ethical standards. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports, and resolution of difficult situations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough investigations into clients’ circumstances requiring protection from abuse, exploitation, abandonment, or self-neglect.
• Interface with and testify in the court system; recommend court interventions such as guardianships or mental health evaluations with possible commitment.
• Provide intensive care management to consumers and advocate on behalf of older adults with mental health issues.
• Conduct protective service investigations within required time frames and adhere to confidentiality regulations.
• Manage a complex case mix and/or increased caseload, including mentoring new care managers or trainees.
• Assist with training for staff, community agencies, police, and the public; participate in community committees.
• Perform all care management functions, validate consumer needs in their environment, and reassess status at regularly scheduled intervals.
• Develop care plans with consumers, families, or caregivers, utilizing supervision and consultation with other disciplines.
• Recognize, support, develop, and mobilize informal and formal resources to meet consumers’ needs; arrange and follow up on services and entitlements.
• Manage financial and/or resource allocations, ensuring appropriate service levels and cost control.
• Complete necessary forms, maintain automated programs, and arrange case conferences with supervisory approval.
• Participate in orientation, training, in-service programs, and regularly scheduled meetings; monitor consumer satisfaction.
• Interface with Berks County Area Agency on Aging programs, Department of Human Services programs, providers, and referral sources professionally.
• Engage in ongoing problem-solving, program evaluation, and development with the team and staff.
• Represent agency and program policies, procedures, and objectives to applicants, referral sources, providers, and the public.
• Perform on-call duties as assigned and adhere to all policies, laws, regulations, and codes of ethics and confidentiality.

Requirements

• One year as an Aging Care Manager II or Aging Program Assessor; or
• Three years of experience in public or private social work, including one year of direct aging care management experience, and a bachelor’s degree with 12 semester hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or related social sciences; or
• Two years of experience in public or private social work, including one year of direct aging program experience, and a bachelor’s degree with a social welfare major; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training including 12 semester hours of college-level courses in relevant social sciences.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of protective services legislation, rules, regulations, and operating procedures.
• Ability to document actions meticulously and maintain attention to detail without close supervision.
• Skill in coordinating medical, social, psychological, or functional evaluations.
• Proficiency in assessing community resources and integrating them into care planning.
• Capacity to exercise independent judgment and manage complex, high-consequence cases.
• Strong advocacy and communication skills, including the ability to interface with courts and testify.
• Ability to mentor staff, participate in training, and represent agency policies professionally.
• Commitment to ethical standards and adherence to confidentiality requirements.

Pay

The starting rate for this position is $33.25 per hour.

Schedule

This is a full-time position requiring 35 hours per week.