SUMMARY:

As a employee of AMFM Healthcare in partnership with the City of Poulsbo, the Geriatric Specialist is under the general supervision of AMFM Healthcare and operational supervision of the City of Poulsbo’s Housing, Health and Human Services Director, the Geriatric Specialist will respond to individuals 65 and older who are struggling with memory loss and cognitive decline as part of the Poulsbo Fire CARES Program.

We are hiring for a one-year part time position that will start in December 2022 and extend until November 2023. This is a 10-16 hour per week position that may have additional hours available during the contracted period.

Job requires considerable public contact and is intended to bridge the gap between emergency medical response and the needs of seniors/65+ with cognitive issues. The Geriatric Specialist will accept referrals from the Poulsbo Fire CARES team and assist individuals by providing in-home support, advocacy, and resource navigation. Work will be reviewed by AMFM and the City of Poulsbo, through regular meetings, reports and observations. The Geriatric Specialist will also work with City volunteers and staff as part of the Senior CARES volunteer initiative.

Essential Job Duties:

• Cultivate positive, effective, collaborative working relationships with Poulsbo Fire, behavioral health providers, other healthcare providers, social service agencies, and other community support providers to assist individuals with behavioral health issues.

• Respond to referrals from Poulsbo Fire and City of Poulsbo by evaluating the individual’s or family’s needs and creating a bridge to support and resources based on identified need. Respond to requests for information from first responders and the public about available services. Consult with other agency professionals on difficult cases.
• Provide non-clinical needs assessments, referrals to community support providers, and case management services including motivational interviewing and goal setting as a part of the response to identified behavioral health needs. However, the Specialist will not provide medical treatment, or clinical services.
• Screen individuals for Senior CARES call in the program; refer individuals to City volunteers. Follow-up and coordinate individuals' use of needed services and community resources. Provide resource information and referral suggestions to individuals and caregivers.
• Maintain a Trauma Informed, Empowerment Model, and motivational interviewing approach to reestablish baseline functioning and improve overall well-being.
• Establish and maintain rapport with the populations served, promote best practices in engagement approaches, support systems and interventions.
• Engage in education and outreach activities, particularly to agencies and organizations serving vulnerable populations.
• Meet with and interview contacts, families and other care providers to assess needs and eligibility for services.
• Advocate needs of individuals within and outside the system; liaise between individuals in need of assistance, caregivers and service providers. Provide client-level and system-wide troubleshooting and advocacy.
• Collect and report out on data related to outreach activities.

Additional Duties

• Enter information about outreach activities into a Fire Department database.

• Complete initial and on-going training deemed necessary by AMFM Healthcare and Poulsbo Fire.

• Other duties as assigned.

Performance Requirements (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):

• Will use standard office equipment to include: computer, laptop/tablet, copy machine/printer, fax machine, modern office practices and computer applications.

• Effectively communicate and comprehend (through oral and written forms of communication) with management, peers, clients, community colleagues and the public.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, other departments and city staff, city officials, community stakeholders, and the public.
• Work effectively in team environments.
• Exercise a high degree of initiative and independent judgment, problem solving and decision making within the scope of assigned authority.
• View and address the total spectrum of service needs.
• Effectively identify and resolve conflict.
• Maintain records and prepare clear, concise written reports.
• Support diversity and multicultural understanding in the workplace and the community.
• Utilize cultural competency to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with individuals across cultures, focusing on understanding and respecting the strengths of the clients including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication and learning styles.
• Maintain a working knowledge related to state and federal mandates including those related to privacy and confidentiality.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current available community referral resources.
• Demonstrate a high level of ethics, proficiency, and professionalism at all times.
• Effectively communicate with individuals with behavioral health disorders, caregivers, and/or families.
• Communicate effectively with people regardless of age, race, disability, sex, socioeconomic or cultural background.
• Express ideas and recommendations clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Gather pertinent data; access records management system to enhance outreach efforts.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with staff of local hospitals, community organizations, providers and the public.
• Work effectively in team environments.
• Exercise initiative and judgment and make decisions within the scope of assigned authority.
• Read, interpret and apply work-related laws, AMFM policies and Poulsbo Fire policies, rules and other regulations.
• Meet defined productivity expectations.
• Use computers effectively, specifically Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

Working Environment/Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Work is performed in the community alongside designated CARES firefighter or independently. Work is also completed in an office environment.

• Work is performed with considerable independence.
• Visual acuity is required.
• Ability to drive, day or night, and in weather conditions.
• May be exposed to unsanitary conditions in clients' homes.
• May be exposed to animals in clients' homes (i.e. dogs, cats or other animals).

Experience and Training Requirements:

Bachelors-Nursing degree-field experience with older adults.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Valid Washington State Driver’s License and acceptable Abstract of Driving Record.

• Successfully pass a national criminal background screening.
• Successfully pass a professional reference check.
• Assigned Shifts: Thursday mornings and afternoons at locations in Poulsbo and Central Kitsap (hours are flexible); other hours as agreed upon with AMFM.