1/11/95 L0637

AGING PROGRAM ASSESSOR

Definition: An employee in this class develops comprehensive assessment and level of nursing care recommendations for clients seeking residence in a long term care facility as part of an overall area agency on aging program.

Employees in this class develop level of care recommendations in cooperation with expert medical input. Comprehensive recommendations are developed with the intent of maintaining the client's independence for as long as is feasible. Coordination of medical, social, psychological or functional evaluations of the client's condition may be part of the employee's responsibilities. Employees are expected to have sufficient knowledge of the community resources to be able to include available resources as a factor in assessing the client's circumstances and recommending a comprehensive plan of care. Work is performed in accordance with established regulations, policies and procedures. Employes are expected to exercise independent judgment in achieving objectives.

Work is reviewed by an administrative supervisor through conferences and an evaluation of reports.

Examples of work: Assists clients in managing incomes, helps in getting maximum benefits from Social Security and Medicare and keeps clients informed of legislation affecting benefits.

Works in close cooperation with other social agencies, hospitals, clinics, courts and community resources in planning to meet the needs of clients and assists the clients in utilizing these resources.

Performs in an advisory capacity to other professional staff in specialized program areas through participation in conferences and meetings for purposes of diagnosis and plan of treatment.

Develops intensive in-home care plans for certified nursing home eligible clients.

Interprets the program, policies and procedures to individuals, groups and agencies.

Makes reports, prepares correspondence, prepares special studies and keeps necessary records.

Completes the assessment form used to determine client eligibility for nursing home care.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledges, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of current regulations and policies governing the long term care assessment program.

Knowledge of modern medical terminology.

Knowledge of the basic principles and methods of program interpretation and community organization.

Knowledge of social casework principles and methods.

Knowledge of current social, economic and health problems and community resources.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior and ways of working effectively with older adults who have social, economic, emotional and/or health problems.

Skill in the development of in-home care plans to address the needs of older adults.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, other members of the staff, outside agencies, institutions and the general public.

Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities and maintain a caseload of clients in an effective manner.

Ability to clearly express ideas orally and in writing and to interpret laws and regulations.

Ability to maintain agency confidentiality standards.

Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of other persons and to work with older adults who are physically disabled and/or economically disadvantaged.

Minimum Experience and Training: One year as an Aging Care Manager 2; or two years of casework experience including one year of experience performing assessments of client's functional ability to determine the need for institutional or community based services and a Bachelor's Degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 semester hours credit in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related social sciences; or one year of assessment experience and a bachelor's degree with a social welfare major; or any equivalent combination of experience and training including successful completion of 12 semester hours of college level courses in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other related social sciences. One year of casework experience in the AAA system may be substituted for the year of assessment experience.

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST07