Community Services and Education Coordinator

Job Summary

To educate persons diagnosed with a dementia and caregivers, facilitate access to available public and private resources and to provide support services including counseling and care planning.

Essential Functions

• Knowledge of mental health issues common among persons with dementia and caregivers.
• Working knowledge of effective non-pharmacological interventions for managing dementia-related behaviors, common mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, etc.).
• Working knowledge of effective interventions for reduction of caregiver burden, improvement of caregiver physical and mental health as well as other available educational and informational resources.
• Ability to interact with patients and families that is attuned to individual needs, health literacy levels, and home environment.
• Ability to assess any related financial burden that may impact services for which a family/patient has access or can afford.
• Ability to interact with a care consultation system and transfer information from an assessment to other designated individuals (e.g., care consultant and primary care provider).
• Efficiently administer and effectively interpret standardized patient and caregiver need assessment tools and integrate the results of assessments into an overall plan of care for the patient and caregiver.
• Assess caregiver burden/mental health as well as caregiver's knowledge and understanding of the disease and his/her capacity to manage the caregiving role.
• Provides for social needs of patient/family.
• Completes psychosocial assessment.
• Participates with other team members in planning care for the patient/family.
• Participates in finding alternatives to home care when indicated.
• Documents according to policy.
• Treats patients and families with compassion and implements plan of care.
• Bases care decisions on plan of care.
• Monitors and documents patient response.
• Establishes rapport with clients. Adapts communication style, listens and responds to patient needs.
• Recognizes age-specific responses to treatment. Provides effective interventions.
• Respects patients’ confidentiality and privacy.
• Supports social, spiritual, and cultural needs of patients and families.
• Manages difficult or emotional patient situations.

Additional Duties

• Adheres to the hospital and departmental attendance and punctuality guidelines.
• Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the core values, mission, and vision of the organization.
• Performs other duties as required and completes all job functions as per departmental policies and procedures.
• Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility to include any specialty certification requirements (i.e., self-education, attends ongoing educational programs).
• Attends staff meetings and completes mandatory in-services and requirements and competency evaluations on time.
• Demonstrates competency at all levels in providing care to all patients based on age, sex, weight, and demonstrated needs. For non-clinical areas, has attended training and demonstrates usage of age-specific customer service skills.
• Wears protective clothing and equipment as appropriate.

Qualifications

Master's Degree in Social Work Required

Work Experience

• 3 years Clinical Experience providing care consultation and case management. Preferred
• 1 year Demonstrated experience in quality program delivery and evaluation. Preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• LCSW - License Clinical Social Worker Preferred
• LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor Preferred