DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is professional work of a complex nature involving involves the performance of counseling and advocacy services to families and caregivers for the County’s senior population as well as assuring that all staff members receive appropriate safety and health training, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, physicals, and tuberculosis testing. Work is performed under direct supervision of the Coordinator of Homebound Elderly Services or other program administrator and is carried out in accordance with established guidelines. Direct supervision is exercised over the work of subordinate staff. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:  (Illustrative only)

• Provides counseling and casework services as well as advocating for clients and caregivers of the elderly;
• Participates in the development of appropriate counseling service plans for clients’ families and caregivers of the elderly;
• Develops and heads Caregivers Support Group and counseling sessions to assist clients’ family members and caregivers;
• Serves as a mediator regarding clients’ family issues involving the elderly;
• Conducts and keeps records of all staff members’ Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training, physicals and tuberculosis testing to assure each individual has completed appropriate training/testing as required;
• Trains and supervises Day Care Helpers, Aging Services Aides and other subordinate staff who are a part of the Adult Day Care staff;
• Formulates individual Client Care plans;
• Performs client assessments for Adult Day Care program;
• Actively participates as a member of the Caregivers Task Force;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Good knowledge of medical terminology; good knowledge of nursing care; good knowledge of Federal, State and local laws affecting medical and health programs; ability to develop an appropriate plan of care; ability to train subordinates; ability to supervise the work of others; ability to organize work effectively; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; high degree of accuracy in recording data/information; tact; courtesy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Three (3) years of experience as a Registered Professional Nurse and two (2) years of additional experience, preferably with geriatric clients, involving assessments, health education, casework or counseling activities as an essential component of the work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State.

SUBSTITUTION NOTE:  A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or Social Work may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the nursing, assessment, health education, casework or counseling experience.

8/98; 12/98; 4/99; 1/09

Competitive Class