Dedicated Assessor

Position Type / Schedule: Full-time, 35 hours per week; office, community, and field-based work required.

Position Summary

This position is dedicated to client assessments and is responsible for the intake and eligibility determination of applicants seeking home care services. The Dedicated Assessor manages new referrals; determines functional and preliminary financial eligibility for CHCP, PCA Waiver, and ABI programs; and screens for Community First Choice (CFC) when requested.

Dedicated Assessors complete assessments, develop person-centered care plans, submit Medicaid applications, and collect required documentation to support DSS review and approval. Dedicated Assessors implement approved care plans, submit final documentation for ongoing case assignment, and ensure services are coordinated in compliance with DSS regulations.

Based on departmental needs and demonstrated expertise, Dedicated Assessors may conduct initial assessments or reassessments across programs, including MFP and CFC.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Adhere to strict deadlines in processing various phases of an initial referral.
• Be the primary contact with the client and the client’s family unless other arrangements are specified in the referral to contact a legally liable relative or authorized representative.
• Cooperates with the client’s legal representatives or other individuals for whom the client or client’s representative has provided consent to schedule and participate in assessment and care plan development and to follow up as needed.
• Provide client advocacy, crisis intervention, and referral services to the client and the client’s family during the pending phase by referring to local programs on a temporary basis.
• Conducts initial assessments, reassessments, reevaluations, and status reviews that adhere to person-centered care planning and negotiated risk principles.
• Direct efforts to maximize the potential of the informal support system and encourage better community independent living capability.
• Assists the client with completing and submitting required forms, including, but not limited to, the DSS Medicaid application, grievance and appeal forms, rights and responsibilities forms, HIPAA forms, and release of information forms.
• Authorize the start of service delivery for service providers of the client’s choice.
• Ensure the timely closure of referrals or cases when appropriate.
• Document care management on the plan of care and all communications and activities regarding this client in the client’s record.
• Collaborate with providers in staffing the authorized services to update service authorizations.
• Coordinates the delivery of all services in the plan of care, regardless of provider or reimbursement source, to avoid duplication or overlap and to support service quality, appropriate service levels, and integration of informal supports.
• Assess and approve services for clients who are not living in an institutional setting such as a hospital or nursing facility unless they are institutionalized for rehabilitative service or respite care.
• Collaborates with the region or DSS to submit required verifications through the look-back period and ensure deadlines are met to establish eligibility.
• Receive, manage and respond to client outcomes, grievances, and appeals; assist DSS in preparing summaries for Fair Hearings and other required reports as needed.
• Attend hearings at the request of DSS.
• Ensure that all mandated reporting requirements are fully satisfied in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, thereby supporting the advocacy of client needs and minimizing associated risks.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher education in Nursing with an active CT License or in Social Work or a related social services degree.
• Dedicated Assessors must meet the ABI Waiver’s required education and experience criteria to conduct assessments or develop care plans for individuals applying to the program. Dedicated Assessors who do not meet these requirements must be accompanied by an ABI Care Manager during the initial assessment.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle and auto insurance are required as this position necessitates travel within the WCAAA service area

Experience:

• Minimum of two years of experience in health care or human services at the participant care level.
• Experience applying complex eligibility, reimbursement, and care planning strategies through work or education; demonstrated interviewing skills; understanding of human behavior, family and caregiver dynamics, and a range of disabilities.
• Familiarity with community resources in the region and the ability to coordinate services for multilingual, multicultural populations; proficiency with computers and ability to lift or carry laptops, tablets, or related equipment
• Demonstrated skills in person-centered planning and problem-solving for high-risk participants.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Nursing with an active CT license.
• Active licensure as CT LCSW or LMSW.
• Certifications or licensure.
• Bilingual English/Spanish ability strongly preferred.

Compensation: Salary starts at $47,000 annually, based on experience.

Work Schedule will be Monday – Friday, 35 hours per week. On-call shifts are required from Thursday to Wednesday approximately 4 times per year.