Community Resource Specialist (Info & Assistance and State Health Insurance Assistance Program) at Denver Regional Council of Governments

About the Department

The hiring salary range for this position is $4,535.46 - $5,442.26/month or $2,267.73 - $2,721.13/semi-monthly depending on qualifications.

The Denver Regional Council of Governments serves as a visionary leader along Colorado’s front range. We tackle the BIG issues, like growth and development, transportation and meeting the needs of older adults. Our success is built on, and defined by, long-standing partnerships and serving as a forum for discussing these and other emerging issues in an effort to collectively find innovative solutions. DRCOG is a Regional Planning Commission per Colorado state statute, is the federally designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA), and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Denver region. Our culture and values fuel and inform the work we do, and employees are rewarded with competitive compensation, generous benefits and an adaptable work environment. Sound like a good fit?  We’d love to meet you!

Position Duties

This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Division.

• Performs client interviews, intake and assessments to determine service needs and resource requirements; determine eligibility in Medicaid programs (as they relate to Medicare), educates beneficiaries on Medicare-related issues; supports beneficiaries to help them resolve issues regarding Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance, as well as high medical bills, access to care and other related health insurance administration issues; serves as an agency representative with other service providers to address client needs; makes resource referrals to both internal and external programs; provides client advocacy based on required situations.
• Evaluates and documents program eligibility status; determines case safety level, emergency status and/or need for crisis intervention or mandatory reporting; determines, develops, and communicates client service action/case plans; monitors and documents plan status and performs follow up on case services..
• Provides assistance with enrollment into Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare assistance programs selected by the beneficiary.
• Coordinates the exchange of service information and service care provision with other agencies; provides recommendations regarding course of action; assists in conflict or behavior management; and assists in the resolution of disagreements among clients, families, systems and service providers.
• Monitors client status; provides counseling and intervention support; conducts on-site client visits and perform comprehensive needs assessment; performs safety and risk assessments; determines crisis intervention needs; monitors services and makes plan adjustments as client needs change; escalates case management supervision as required.
• Prepares, documents and maintains case and/or program information; collects, manages and analyzes data to produce reports documenting program measures and outcomes; provides recommendations; ensures the maintenance of timely program or case activity tracking, reporting and applicable billing.
• Provides training and community education for groups and individuals; researches and identifies community service needs; collaborates with stakeholders and makes program, process and community service recommendations; prepares and disseminates information; and performs outreach for care improvement.  
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.
• Provide  information, consultation and referral to clients regarding the resources and services available to older persons and their families;
• Deliver unbiased and comprehensive information to Medicare beneficiaries regarding all aspects of Medicare benefits.
• Collaborate with individual consumers to identify gaps in services, report findings, and advocate for identified needs;
• Identify and escalate systemic issues related to Medicare and Medicaid services to the Program Manager and assist in resolving these concerns.
• Provide consultation and options counseling for older adults and adults with disabilities in the ADRC program
• Conduct in-person visits with community resource organizations to increase knowledge of services, and allow for “warm transfers” of consumers during referral. 
• Support outreach initiatives and training sessions for Medicare beneficiaries and service providers.
• Support the development and upkeep of record keeping and documentation. 
• Contribute to special projects led by the Area Agency on Aging.
• Provide  information, consultation and referral to clients regarding the resources and services available to older persons and their families;
• Deliver unbiased and comprehensive information to Medicare beneficiaries regarding all aspects of Medicare benefits.
• Collaborate with individual consumers to identify gaps in services, report findings, and advocate for identified needs;
• Identify and escalate systemic issues related to Medicare and Medicaid services to the Program Manager and assist in resolving these concerns.
• Provide consultation and options counseling for older adults and adults with disabilities in the ADRC program
• Conduct in-person visits with community resource organizations to increase knowledge of services, and allow for “warm transfers” of consumers during referral. 
• Support outreach initiatives and training sessions for Medicare beneficiaries and service providers.
• Support the development and upkeep of record keeping and documentation. 
• Contribute to special projects led by the Area Agency on Aging.

Minimum Qualifications

• Age and disability related issues and concerns of adults, their families and caregivers.
• Aging and disability area networks and resources.
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis.
• Best practices, trends and emerging technologies.
• Principles and methods of qualitative and quantitative research.
• Record management principles.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations (based on assignment).
• Customer service principles.
• Specialized equipment relevant to area of assignment.
• Modern office technology.
• Researching industry trends, solutions and best practices.
• Performing clinical assessment of client situations to determine case management and/or emergency needs.
• Conducting interviews to determine client or program service needs and/or intervention.
• Gathering data, analyzing findings and applying logic and reason.
• Interpreting, monitoring and reporting information and statistics.
• Authoring original reports, documents and presentations.
• Compiling and sorting data and articulating issues and recommendations.
• Coordinating deadlines and prioritizing competing demands.
• Maintaining program or case information.
• Exercising confidentiality.
• Collaborating and facilitating communication with program stakeholders.
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations and standards (based on assignment).
• Providing customer service.
• Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications.
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Familiarity with basic concepts of digital accessibility, including techniques for accessible writing, presenting, remote meetings, and document creation.

Other Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in gerontology, social work or related human services field and one to three years of related human services experience. OR An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Status:   Full-time, Non-exempt

Licensing/Certifications:

• Certified Information & Referral Specialist for Aging/Disabilities (CIRS-A/D) certification.
• State Health Insurance Assistance Program and Senior Medicare Patrol certification within 60 days of hire (on the job training provided).
• Valid Colorado Driver’s License and access to an automobile or to substantively equivalent alternative transportation.