Hospital to Home Transition Specialist

Company: Independence First
Location: Milwaukee
Posted on: May 17, 2022

Job Description:

Job DescriptionBe Part of a Great Team!Independence First is looking for awesome people to join our team!You are just the person to join our growing team if you are...* Looking for an Excellent Benefits Package* Passionate About Helping Others* Prefer Bilingual in English, Spanish, Hmong or Russian (Not required)Benefits include:* 12 sick days, 13 vacation days and an additional 11 paid holidays a year* Employer paid Dental, Life Insurance (twice annual salary), AD&D, Short and Long Term Disability* Health Insurance Benefits (partially employer paid, depending on coverage)* Low-cost Vision Insurance* Employer-matched 403(b) Retirement Account* Fitness Center On-site* Annual Health Risk Assessment* Annual Flu Shot* Comprehensive Wellness Program* Tuition Reimbursement ProgramPOSITION DESCRIPTIONPosition: Hospital to Home Transition SpecialistStatus: Full Time, HourlyReports to: Community Living Transition Policy SpecialistPosition Summary: Facilitate and coordinate transition services to individuals with disabilities from hospitals to a safe environment. Diverting an individual entering a nursing home environment is the primary role. In addition, individuals may be transitioning from, Nursing Homes, Community Based Residential Facilities, Prison System, etc. Position will work with consumers, families, discharge planners, healthcare workers, other service providers involved in transitioning to coordinate services for a safe transition from a facility to community living. Duties include participation in discharge planning, identifying needs such as housing, housing start-up items, personal care, benefits counseling, assistive technology, and other social services needed by the consumer and working toward resolution. Provide independent living services to individuals with disabilities residing in the agency service area. Coordinate with Department and Agency management teams as well as the Community Living & Transition Policy and Branch Office Services Specialists to improve reach and quality of all Independence First transition-related services.Position Expected Hours of Work: This is a Full-Time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, however there may be some variability in the weekly schedule due to consumer need driven by compliance as well as by agency need. Occasional evenings and weekends. Staff is expected to be able to work in the office, remotely, or a hybrid of both, during regular business hours.Transitional Services Essential Functions of the Position:

• Facilitate transition services for individuals residing in long-term care facilities such as Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Community Based Residential Facilities, Prison System, etc.
• Facilitate self-assessment and identification of transition related services needs of the consumer.
• Facilitate the development of the transition goals with the consumer. Regularly revisits these goals, updating as needed and noting progress.
• Promote self-advocacy by teaching individuals how to access services, assert their rights, and obtain funding for the purpose of reaching their goals.
• Establish good working relationships with healthcare providers, social service workers, and other professionals involved in the transition process.
• Provide information, referral and training to consumers and the community in the Independence First service area on independent living issues and services.
• Will participate in discharge planning, identifying needs such as housing, housing start-up items, personal care, benefits counseling, assistive technology, and other social services needed by the consumer and working toward resolution.
• Develop and maintain appropriate collaborative relationships with other organizations/service providers to enhance the goals of independent living.
• Coordinate with Department and Agency management teams to improve reach and quality of all Independence First transition-related services.
• Work with the Community Living & Transition Policy Specialist as well as the Branch Offices Services Specialist to coordinate Transition services throughout the four county service area. Will bring in AT or Benefits staff as needed.
• Participate as a member of the Independent Living Services team by attending agency meetings and events.
• As time allows, will learn and perform AT and home modification assessments.
• Complete agency required documentation in agency database.Disability Policy Change Essential Functions of the Position:
• Participate in individual and systems advocacy activities by voicing opinion at public hearings and educating public officials through letter writing or other appropriate means on issues relating to independent living.
• Actively participant in agency advocacy team.
• Present testimony on disability issues by writing, email, and fax, in person testimony to legislative bodies on the local, state and federal levels. This includes contacting congresspersons, senators and giving opinions on pending legislation.
• Assist consumers with their advocacy needs.
• Participate in Disability Policy Change Events.Work Environment:
• Work environment is generally performed in an office setting with minimal to moderate noise level.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Disclaimer:The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.As an Independent Living Center, it is required that 51% of Independence First's staff have a disability. Independence First is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people with disabilities to apply for this position.
  
  I. Professional QualificationsMust have a firm belief in consumer control, the independent living philosophy and our agency Vision Statement:Independence First is for full inclusion of persons with disabilities in every aspect of our community and Independence First commits itself toward this end.'Empowerment is part psychological, part social, and part political. It is the process by which individuals define their own problems, find their own voice, develop their own plans, act on their own behalf, and claim their own power.''Empowerment means more than having responsibility, but also having the authority and ability to make one's own choices.'
• Bachelor's degree in related field or life experience may be substituted in lieu of, in full or part of academic requirements
• Must have good working knowledge of Long-term care benefits and how to access them via county and state.
• Must have good working knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid and how it intertwines with long-term care benefits.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills a must.
• Good computer skills, knowledge of MS Word products, specifically, Word, EXCEL, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated positive attitude, reliability, a self-starter who assumes responsibility when warranted, is conscientious, professional in manner and hard working.
• Knowledge of federal, state and community services and funding resources.
• Knowledge of disability rights legislation including the ADA, Rehabilitation Act, IDEA, etc.
• Transportationally mobile or able to arrange own transportation.
• Must be able to work occasional weekends and evening hours.
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision required.
• Cheerfully and willingly accepts new assignments and projects.

Keywords: Independence First, Milwaukee , Hospital to Home Transition Specialist, Healthcare , Milwaukee, Wisconsin