Elder Protective Services Worker

This role includes a $1,000 sign-on bonus.

This is a Full time 35 hours a week position.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Elder Protective Services Worker is responsible for assessing and evaluating allegations of elder abuse or neglect. Elder abuse and neglect can take many forms including self-neglect, caretaker neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation and sexual abuse.

The Elder Protective Services Worker will investigate Protective Services reports by conducting home visits in the community and other settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, assisted livings. They will assess a consumers risk level, provide crisis intervention, service planning and other responsibilities necessary to prevent, eliminate, mitigate or remedy the effects of elder abuse and neglect. They will work directly with at-risk consumers, professionals, and families. They will assess at-risk consumers ability to appreciate, understand and assume risks. They will connect the at-risk consumers with any and all available resources, including, but not limited to, state home care services, substance abuse, scams, etc.

Designed to provide short-term crisis intervention, the Elder Protective Services worker supports the most vulnerable at-risk consumers. They need to be flexible and possess strong time management skills to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the day. They need to demonstrate the ability to independently manage tasks, show initiative, and meet deadlines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Receive and investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and self-neglect of an older adult (60+) in a timely manner as defined under the regulations governing the protective services program.
Provide case work services to protective service consumer population, by responding to crisis situations with field visits to assess an older adults physical, social, emotional and environmental status
Conduct written assessments of risk, decisional ability and functional abilities. While also providing short-term case management and making referrals to alleviate substantiated allegations.
Work closely with community agencies and organizations including first responders, community safety personnel and medical professionals to identify needs, locate resources, and set up service network to meet needs.
Develop and maintain ongoing service plans to assist in the resolution of the Protective Services casework.
Maintain case records; collect information for program monitoring and evaluation.
Serve in a rotational 24-hour on-call capacity, as determined by the Protective Services Supervisor, to ensure continuous coverage and timely response.
Must be able to respond quickly to emergencies and travel to locations throughout the organization's designated catchment area. Those areas include Acton, Arlington, Bedford, Boxborough, Burlington, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, Wilmington, Winchester, and Woburn.

COMPETENCIES NEEDED:

Composure/Self Control: Caps emotions to avoid negative reactions when provoked, when faced with opposition or hostility, or when working under stress; able to stay focused despite prolonged stress; able to respond constructively to emotional situations, high pressure, and conflict.

Accountability : Demonstrates and communicates a high level of responsibility for and commitment to achieving results.

Communication Skills: Listens, speaks, and writes clearly and concisely; ensures all involved are kept informed about developments and plans; shares ideas and information with others who might find them useful; keeps supervisor informed about progress and problems.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Recognizes and accurately evaluates the signs of a problem and utilizes available resources to deescalate or resolve; analyzes current procedures for possible improvements; notifies supervisor of problems in a timely manner.

Teamwork and Cooperation: Demonstrates willingness to work with others toward a common goal as opposed to working in competition with others.

Time Management: Organizes and schedules people and tasks demonstrating the ability to balance requisite number of home visits per month with maintenance of notes; regularly produces accurate, thorough, professional work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by car and is exposed to changing weather and seasonal conditions. The employee works in varied residential environments based on the assigned caseload. The balance of time is spent in a professional office environment. This role regularly requires the use of a computer, telephone and other standard office equipment. The employee is frequently required to stand, get in and out of an automobile, as well as walk up and down stairs to enter and exit consumer homes.

PHI and PII:

This role has access to Protected Health Information (PHI) and therefore the employee must adhere to Minuteman’s confidentiality policy and HIPAA regulations.
This role has access to Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and therefore the employee must adhere to Minuteman’s confidentiality policy and MA Executive Order 504.
This role has access to Protected Health Information (PHI) and Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and therefore the employee must adhere to Minuteman’s confidentiality policy, HIPAA regulations, and MA Executive Order 504.

Pay Range Disclosure:

In accordance with the Massachusetts Wage Transparency Act, the pay range for this position reflects what we reasonably and in good faith expect to pay at the time of posting. Final compensation will depend on the candidate’s experience, skills, and alignment with the role’s responsibilities.

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL HAVE:

Either a Bachelor’s Degree (required) in Human Services or Criminal Justice, or related field, and 2 years’ crisis intervention, risk reduction, domestic violence, or witness advocate experience.
- OR A Master’s Degree in Human Services or Criminal Justice, or related field, and 1 year of crisis intervention experience.

Experience working in an Aging Services agency is helpful.
Experience with elders and/or investigations
Knowledge of the dynamics of abuse.
Experience working in victim/witness advocacy, substance abuse, child protective services, District Attorney's office, domestic violence shelter, abuse investigation, group home or other related position preferred.
Experience in working with isolated, frail elders is helpful.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to issues related to the aging process.
Knowledge of public benefits resources and community resources.

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