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:

Job Summary

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 

<