HICAP Counselor

Title: HICAP Counselor

Department: HICAP – San Mateo

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Program Manager

Summary: Responsible for counseling Medicare beneficiaries for San Mateo HICAP.

Essential Functions

⦁ Counsels Medicare beneficiaries and those soon to be eligible for Medicare on their benefits, rights, and options; assists them in making decisions on their healthcare needs, maintaining impartiality, privacy, and confidentiality. Provides guidance and support during the counseling appointment and post-appointment follow-up.

⦁ Follows all guidelines as outlined by the California Department of Aging (CDA). Responsible for maintaining accurate records on all client contacts and services provided using the CDA HICAP database (SHARP). Submits monthly completed intakes and reports as requested by the Program Manager. Maintains the security of client information and ensures its proper disposal.

⦁ In accordance with program guidelines, assists individuals as appropriate to ensure the clients’ rights and privileges under Medicare and other applicable laws or regulations are upheld, makes appropriate referrals to legal services and other agencies, and offers other referrals and/or interventions as needed and appropriate.

⦁ Assists the Volunteer Coordinator with on-site observations of volunteer counselors to evaluate their skill level and interactions with clients, documents observations, and reports them to the Program Manager; provides technical assistance to interns and registered counselors regarding Medicare topics or program procedures as needed.

⦁ Assists with ongoing training to interns, administrative volunteers, and registered counselors in using the state-mandated SHARP system;

⦁ Substitutes for volunteer counselors at counseling sites when needed.

⦁ Assists with updating counselors’ files in SHARP by inputting volunteer hours in it; this includes in-service hours and non-counseling hours by the 15th of every month for the previous month. Updates volunteer files as needed throughout the year.

⦁ By the 5th of every month, assists with verifying that counselors have entered their client intakes in SHARP for the previous month and reviewing all intakes for accuracy and compliance under the direction of the Program Manager.

⦁ Identifies potential counseling sites in target areas and initiates a conversation with the Site Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, and Program Manager about hosting HICAP counseling there. Revises the counseling site agreement as needed. Responsible for getting counseling site agreements signed yearly.

⦁ Assists with training staff and volunteers on the CDA HICAP database (SHARP) in accordance with CDA guidelines.

⦁ Assists the Program Manager in ensuring program compliance with its contractual obligations regarding the volunteer component of the program.

⦁ Makes presentations to community groups and participates in community outreach events to provide information regarding HICAP services and promotes program publicity:

⦁ Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

⦁ Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training with a minimum of two years of experience working in senior services, preferably in a non-profit setting. Experience in counseling and/or working with volunteers is preferred.

⦁ Must complete HICAP counselor training and/or registration within 2 months of employment, depending on program needs. Must maintain current registration standards as outlined by the CDA.

⦁ Knowledge of Medicare, Medi-Cal, Medigap, managed care, long-term care insurance, and health care delivery systems preferred.

⦁ Must abide by the HICAP Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Guidelines as outlined by the CDA and HICAP. These include having no past or present employment or financial interests and investments, or personal affiliations that may affect their ability to provide HICAP services in an objective and unbiased manner.

⦁ Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, and experience in group presentations. Bilingual in English and Chinese/Spanish preferred.

⦁ Must be self-motivated, organized, and able to multitask under minimal supervision.

⦁ Ability to work independently and in a team environment;

⦁ Sensitive to the needs of the elderly and disabled adults from diverse ethnic and minority cultures.

⦁ Proficient in MS Office and the Internet.

⦁ Must have and maintain a valid CA driver's license, satisfactory driving record, and auto insurance coverage as specified in Self-Help’s policy.

Self-Help for the Elderly is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmation Action Employer and we welcome diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law. We participate in E-Verify.

Qualified applicants with criminal history will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

We may provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please call (415) 677-7600 for special assistance.