Medicare Counselor & Outreach Specialist

HOURS: 20 to 29 hours per week

FLSA CATEGORY: Non-Exempt

REPORTING TO: Program Director, HICAP

LOCATION: Irvine (Orange County)

Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is a program of the Council on Aging-Southern California (COASC), a private, nonprofit corporation serving older adults and individuals with disabilities since 1973. The mission of COASC is to promote the independence, health, and dignity of older adults through compassion, education, and advocacy.

HICAP is a program that serves Medicare beneficiaries and individuals soon eligible for Medicare at any age. The goal of this program is to provide objective counseling, assistance and education with Medicare and related health insurance plans, and long-term care planning, services, and supports.

PURPOSE OF WORK: Counseling to help people navigate Medicare and outreach to create program awareness and Medicare information and education to small and large groups throughout Orange County.

RESPONSIBILITY: Educate and share Medicare information and materials with the public about HICAP services and importance of understanding Medicare coverage and plans. Provide one-on-one counseling/assistance to individuals needing help with navigating Medicare.

 JOB REQUIREMENTS (including but not limited to):

· Successful completion of initial HICAP counselor registration requirements and continually maintain registration status annually 

· Schedule and conduct outreach events to disseminate and explain information on Medicare and related topics

· Develop and maintain partnerships and relationships with community-based organizations serving local older adults and persons    with disabilities

· Research demographic data to support development of new strategies to reach Medicare beneficiaries, especially those in underserved communities

· Translate publicity materials into other languages, if applicable

· Collaborate with HICAP staff, volunteers, and community partners

· Coordinate and conduct outreach activities at health fairs and other community events

· Record and maintain accurate and timely outreach event related data utilizing appropriate database tools

· Medicare counseling and assistance to clients during individual one-on-one sessions by telephone or in-person

· Other duties as assigned by supervisor. May be required to flex schedule for weekend or after hour assignments/presentations

  QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor Degree in Human Services, Social Sciences, Gerontology, or related field. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree

· +10 years’ work experience with older adult population

· Work experience with health insurance (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, Marketplace) preferred

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills

· Fluency in a second language highly desirable (e.g., Farsi, Korean, Chinese)

· Expertise in public speaking - both small and large groups

· Successful completion of HICAP new counselor registration requirements

· Willingness to continuously learn about Medicare and related topics

· Proactive, self-starter capable of working with minimal supervision

· Well-organized with ability to multi-task

· Proficient in the use of Microsoft 365 family of applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); various Internet Search Engines

· Ability to work effectively with people in a variety of situations

· Valid California driver's license, proof of insurance and reliable transportation.

· Proof of eligibility to work in the United States

· Successfully complete a background check to include a national criminal records check 

Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform this job.

While performing the duties of this job the employee will be required to sit for periods of time. Standing, walking and bending are required movements. The employee will occasionally need to lift approximately 20 lbs.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: The ability to transport oneself to needed appointments and events with reliable transportation is required. Occasional overnight travel may be required.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

The Council on Aging – Southern California is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status.