Careers

Family Caregiver Program Specialist

The incumbent will provide one-on-one assistance to the elders and unpaid caregivers living in the Pueblo of San Felipe.

Job Description:

The incumbent will provide one-on-one assistance to the elders and unpaid caregivers living in the Pueblo of San Felipe by assessing, planning, coordinating, and evaluating support services available to elders. Incumbent will work to identify and determine the need for Family Caregiver Support Services and will provide referrals as appropriate to a variety of assistance programs available either through the Pueblo f San Felipe Tribal Organization, or external resource agencies. The incumbent will provide assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services, coordinating respite services, and facilitating care management for eligible elders, and facilitating/identifying resources for caregiver training through outreach, counseling, and case management. The position requires a high level of visibility within the community which requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Incumbent’s contacts will include but are not limited to Tribal Council, Tribal Administration, Tribal Program staff, Federal, State, and County agency representatives, elders of the community, and the general public.
Supervision and Guidelines: Work is performed under the general supervision of the Elderly Services Program Director. Work performance is evaluated through periodic checks of adequacy and timeliness of services provided and outcomes achieved. The Pueblo of San Felipe Organizational Policies and Procedures in conjunction with the programs standard operating procedures will serve as guidance documents in day to day operations and management of the incumbent.

Duites:

• Promote and market the Family Caregiver Services Program to eligible elder clients who serve as grandparents raising grandchildren, and family members who are unpaid caregivers of elders or adults with disabilities within the Pueblo of San Felipe. Promotion activities will focus on public education and may include presentations and the dissemination of brochures and flyers.
• Develop comprehensive, multi-dimensional assessment tools which will identify and record caregiver client needs. Provide explanation of the assessments to the identified clients and/or primary caregiver(s) to establish an effective service plan.
• Develop, maintain, and safeguard elderly client files. Ensure that all paperwork is filed for record keeping and documentation purposes. Ensure confidentiality of all client information.
• Provide information and assistance services to elders and their caregivers via phone, or in person either in the home or in the office. Make appropriate referrals to service agencies. Complete assessments which identify service needs, and when necessary determine eligibility and complete paperwork for such services.
• Develop care plans in collaboration with the caregiver to empower them to maintain their roles as caregivers. Work with the caregivers and their families to ensure that appropriate resources/services are identified and incorporated into the care plans. Provide assistance in completing authorizations forms for such services for caregiver clients.
• Collaborate and network with Tribal Programs, Elderly services Program staff, and external resource agencies to assure that employees and agency representatives are knowledgeable to ensure appropriate referrals for Family Caregiver support services.
• Network, research and coordinate with local tribal programs, and external resources to identify and schedule potential training opportunities to unpaid family caregivers and grandparents raising grandchildren.
• Develop and maintain a community resources file, including a contact list of referrals sources to assure up to date knowledge of resources and services provided by Tribal programs and external resources/service providers. Provide information and referral services to elderly clients and caregivers. Establish and implement a comprehensive resource guide for the identified Primary Caregivers.
• Work with managed care providers and human services programs/resources for scheduled home visits with elder clients and caregivers to evaluate and ensure care/service plans address client’s needs and services. Review care plans to ensure its cost effectiveness and the context/provisions of individual care/service plans.
• Coordinate with the Program Director to schedule monthly case reviews for caregiver clients for the purpose of providing updates on services, and referrals.
• Establish the provisions of caregiver assistance and training; facilitate and coordinate trainings for caregivers and families of elder’s clients either on an individual or group basis.
• Assist the Program Director and Activities Planner in coordinating with Tribal programs and other agencies to provide onsite information and assistance sessions to caregiver clients in areas such as education, health screening, injury prevention, social services, and behavioral/mental health services, etc.
• Provide caregiver and elderly clients with advocacy, planning, education, monitoring, and research services related to human services, and assistance programs (commodity distribution, income tax, home improvement/service needs, weatherization/energy, etc).
• Provide translation and interpretation to elder and caregiver clients. Compose letters/responses on behalf of caregiver and elder clients to address services needs to external resource agencies and managed care programs.
• Attend meetings concerning Family Caregiver services and other federal, state, or county meetings relating to the Elderly Services Program as directed. Provides presentations and information sessions to agencies or community groups relating to Family Caregiver services. May be required to attend evening and/or weekend meetings.
• Participate in all emergency drills, emergency planning, and environmental safety activities.
• Attend and participate in grantee-sponsored trainings, program pre-service and in-service trainings, and other continuing education, career and professional development opportunities.
• Participate in the program’s self-evaluation process and grantee monitoring visits and comply with applicable Program Improvement Plans that are developed.
• Participate in general staff meetings and other meetings, conference, and events planned by the grantee and the program director.
• Assist the Activities Planner as directed by the Program Director, in providing transportation and physical assistance services to elders for special functions and activities held off site.

*Note* This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions or to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Education: Associates Degree (AA) in Social Work or Gerontology; or a high school diploma or GED.
• Experience/Basic Knowledge: 2 years of experience in human services programming which includes interaction with the elderly population; or 3-5 years of specialized experience in working with the elder population which has equipped the employee with particular knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully perform the duties of the position.
• Required Licenses/Certifications:  Must have valid NM Driver’s License and be insurable.
• Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. The individual is frequently required to sit for long periods of time. Occasionally required to walk, lift and or move light to heavy boxes, and equipment when necessary. Must have manual dexterity to enter and retrieve data from a computer. Bends and stoops regularly.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

To perform the duties of this position successfully, the incumbent must be able to perform each essential duty effectively. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with special needs, limitations and/or disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Knowledge of the rules and regulations related to the confidentiality of sensitive client information. Some knowledge of HIPPA regulations related to confidentiality and strict adherence to maintain client information.
• Knowledge and strict adherence to Tribal, State, Federal and Local Policies and Procedures governing all facets of operating a complaint effective Elderly Service Program.
• Knowledge of issues, problems, and concerns of the elderly population.
• Knowledge of community external resources and services available for the elderly population.
• Some knowledge of the legal requirements, standards, regulations, and laws applicable to programs and services for the elderly population.
• Ability to interview clients, and conduct intake sessions to assess elder client needs.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, elders, agency representatives, medical providers, and the general public using tact, courtesy, and common sense.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, elders, agency representatives, and the general public. Must be able to positively respond to stressful situations involving elder client services.
• Must possess strong interpersonal, problem solving, planning and organizational skills.
• Must have the ability to exercise extreme patience and sensitivity while working with the elder population; and have the ability to resolve conflicts effectively.
• Knowledge of recordkeeping techniques; ability to read, translate, and interpret documents.
• Ability to understand and execute oral and written instruction. Knowledge of basic grammar, spelling, punctuation, and required formats.
• Demonstrated skill in operating standard office equipment such as computers, typewriters, calculators, fax machines, and copy machines.
• Ability to utilize and apply software such as word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, desktop publishing, internet access and retrieval and database management.
• Ability to work independently in a fast paced environment, manage a high volume of work, set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of Customs and Mores of the Pueblo of San Felipe and willingness to adhere to the practices with respect.
• Keres language speaker preferred. Demonstrate ability to conduct public speaking and oral presentations on a one on one basis, and/or small group situations to elders, agency representatives, and other employees of the Tribal Organization.

Working Conditions:

The work is performed primarily indoors in an office setting requiring hand/eye coordination in the operation of office equipment. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent is required to be able to walk, bend stoop, lift, carry, etc. and will occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions while performing duties and carrying out the scope of work. The work area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. Some local and distance travel will be required. Work involves some in/out of state travel to attend meetings, trainings, and conferences. Local travel is required to conduct home visits and deliver meals to home bound clients with potential exposure to pets/animals, disease, unsanitary conditions, and traffic hazards. The incumbent may be faced with constant interruptions and must meet the demands of caregivers, elderly clients, and the general public. Work environment is a drug free work place.

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