Senior Services Program Worker - Extra-Help Senior Services Program Worker

Examples of Duties

• Develops public information and education materials.
• Conduct non-clinical screenings and participant interviews to identify service needs and support goal setting related to social well-being.
• Provide outreach, education, and supportive services to older adults in their homes or other accessible community settings.
• Participates in training related to services and programs serving the senior adult population, as required by assigned duties.
• Compiles reports requiring data collection and the use of basic statistics.
• Affords public information workshops and seminars, outreach, and education activities.
• Schedules and performs program counseling and advocacy, and works closely with senior legal services and other senior citizens' programs to ensure program services.
• Investigates complaints and provides resolution for senior citizens in skilled nursing and residential facilities in Merced County.
• Conducts facility visits to ensure compliance with regulations and patient/resident rights.
• Counsels clients and performs all follow up required to solve the client case.
• Maintains client files, detects irregularities, advises clients on rights, and evaluates file for fraud, abuse and misrepresentation.
• Develops and uses computerized recordkeeping systems, develops case correspondence, and attends training courses and sessions.
• Recruits volunteers, provides training materials, assists with training volunteers, and evaluates their performance on each case to insure accuracy and ability to meet state standards.
• Maintains confidential files regarding client information and complaints received.
• Schedules home or facility visits, refers clients to proper agencies and provides input for program plans and reports.
• Affords assistance with special projects or programs.
• Identifies problems and may take corrective action.

Minimum Qualifications

• One (1) or more years' experience working directly with volunteers, seniors and/or community groups.
• Completion of thirty (30) college semester units in social welfare, social/human services, gerontology, sociology, or other social or behavioral science may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
• Equivalent to high school graduation.
• Registration with the State as a HICAP Counselor within six months of hire for incumbents performing HICAP functions.
• Certification with the State Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman within six months of hire or promotion for incumbents performing Ombudsman functions.
• Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.

Essential Functions

• Operate a personal computer and other modern office equipment, including repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination.
• Frequently required to sit for extended period.
• Frequently operate a motor vehicle.
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Interview others to obtain and exchange information.
• Resolve conflicts and respond to complaints under stressful conditions.
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions.
• Respond appropriately to situations.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Make presentations before groups.
• Train volunteers.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.
• Perform timely and required procedures, duties and responsibilities.

Knowledge

• Government programs relating to senior citizens.
• Governing laws, regulations, and terminology.
• Laws and regulations related to the operation of skilled nursing and residential care facilities.
• Methods and techniques of problem resolution, including objective investigation, mediation and negotiation.
• Basic principles of training, recruiting and working with volunteers.
• Personal computer and word processors.
• Basic statistics.
• Community outreach techniques.
• Department of Aging rules and regulations.
• Gerontology, Long-Term Care, Social Services, and Aging programs.
• Principles and practices related to supporting the social well-being and quality of life of the senior adult populations.
• Health care insurance programs.

Ability

• Collect and compile data and statistical information.
• Make presentations and promote programs.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationship with the general public and the agency staff.
• Develop and present training materials.
• Conduct training for volunteer staff.