Job Description

Job Category:

Allied Health

Work Shift/Schedule:

8 Hr Morning - Afternoon

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role:

The Community Services Educator provides education to patients and caregivers diagnosed with dementia, facilitate access to available public and private resources and to provide support services including counseling and care planning.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications:

• Educational Requirements: Bachelors of Social Work, Psychology, Gerontology, Counseling or related field.

• Minimum Experience: One (1)+ years’ providing care consultation and case management. Demonstrated experience in quality program delivery and evaluation. Experience in healthcare and geriatrics.

• Other:

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications: MSW, LCSW, MA, MS or LPC.

• Preferred Educational Requirements: Masters of Social Work

• Preferred Experience: Experience working and conducting assessments with persons living with dementia and caregivers of a person living with dementia strongly preferred. Experience conducting assessments with older adults strongly preferred.

• Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Compliance with Patient/Family-Centered Care Standards through the following: Demonstrates dignity, respect and competency for patient and family knowledge, values, beliefs, and cultural background in the planning and delivery of care. Provides information sharing, ensuring, patients and families receive timely, complete and accurate information to effectively participate in care and decision-making. Encourages patient and family participation in care and decision-making at the level they choose

• 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 both 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.

• Establish and maintain linkages with key resource personnel in the region (e.g., Area Agency on Aging, public health nurses, etc). Assess patient eligibility for a variety of state programs (e.g. SOURCE/CCSP) and make effective referrals, as appropriate according to need and income. Maintain current and timely clinical documentation as required by the Memory Assessment Center. Enter and maintain data required by the Clinic.

• Evaluate patient outcomes and adherence to care plans as defined by the Memory Assessment Center. Provide periodic check in with family.

• Provide patient and family education tailored to the specific needs of each patient and caregiver. Work collaboratively with other professionals. Attend and participate in trainings and meetings as required.

• Other related functions as assigned.

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Will interact with Patients, family members – exchange information and provide guidance, education and support – daily Physicians and Staff – written and verbal communication – exchange of information - daily

• 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)

• Working knowledge of clinic workflows and scope of practice for primary care

• Knowledgeable of general resources available to incorporate into care plan

• Detail oriented – able to comply and meet deadlines

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Outstanding organizational and time-management skills

• Ability to address individuals and information with a high degree of sensitivity and confidentiality

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with physicians, staff, patients, family members and agency staff

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 20 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Occasionally 0-30% of time

• Vision: Moderate, Frequently 31-65% of time

• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Occasionally 0-30%

• Standing/Walking: Occasionally 0-30%

• Pushing/Pulling: Occasionally 0-30%

• Intensity of Work: Frequently 31-65%

• Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding, Driving

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.