ELDER LIFE SPECIALIST-BSW

JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.
Licensure: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), State of Ohio.
Certification: NA
Experience: One to three years working in a supervisory position. Previous hospital or community social work experience required. Knowledge of community agencies preferred. Program development and training skills necessary. Mature person experienced working with elderly individuals preferred.

Special Skills:
• Enjoy working with elderly
• Interviewing and organizational skills
• Attention to detail and ability to keep careful documentation.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Work independently: initiating, prioritizing and managing multiple tasks
• Exceptional problem solving skills
• Role model for volunteers: presents as a dignified professional with respect for older patients, families and hospital staff
• Computer Skills
• Public Speaking


Screening and Enrollment
1. Daily screening and enrollment of appropriate patients into program. Screening procedure includes medical record review, patient and /or family interview and nurse review.

2. Orient patients and families to the Hospital Elder Life program.

3. Develop and initiate individualized care plans of HELP intervention protocols. Provide appropriate equipment. Update care plan as needed based on patients’ needs and outcomes.

4. Notify HELP staff, nursing staff and other appropriate staff of enrollment status.

Hospital Elder Life Program Interventions
1. Implement intervention protocols by assigning patient-appropriate activities to the volunteers. Assure volunteer/staff coverage for all interventions and activities, including evenings weekends and holiday.

2. Perform regular evaluations of all patients to track progress, respond to patient care needs and update care plan.

3. Monitor and record adherence of all protocols and program outcome variables. Establish and address reasons for non-adherence and implement changes to improve services

4. Distribute, collect and collate results of Patient Satisfaction Surveys.

Volunteer Coordination
1. Each volunteer shift, provide volunteers with appropriate patient care assignments.

2. Provide routine supervision and support of volunteers with ongoing feedback.

3. Collaborate with Volunteer Services Department to establish a recruitment plan for Hospital Elder Life Program volunteers.

4. Coordinate and direct quarterly Volunteer Training program.

5. Perform quarterly Quality Assurance measurements on volunteers’ interventions to assure interventions being correctly and consistently implemented.

6. Coordinate volunteer schedules, arranging optimal patient coverage.

7. Organize quarterly educational program and support meetings for volunteers.

8. Coordinate and implement volunteer retention measures.


Community Linkages
1. Evaluate patients for unmet discharge planning needs.

2. When appropriate, educate patients and families regarding community resources available.

Program Operations
1. Record and monitor adherence of all volunteer interventions. Generate progress reports as needed.

2. Purchase and secure all program equipment. Maintain tracking records of all equipment while in patient us. Maintain cleanliness and working condition of all equipment.

3. Document expenditures for supplies and activities.

4. Working with schools

5. One manager has created website secured for volunteers to sign up.