Dementia Care Specialist

Reporting to the respective program supervisor, the Dementia Care Specialist supports caregivers and those who are living with the diagnosis of dementia in Outagamie County. 

Success in your first year in this role would come from being a collaborative team member and building meaningful connections with caregivers of loved ones living with dementia.

Hours:  Monday - Friday 8AM - 4:30PM (40 hours per week) There is possibilities of comp time.
Remote work is available 1 day per pay period after 6 months of employment.

Benefits: 

Outagamie County offers Benefit options and paid time off for team members that work 20+ or more hours per week. Learn more today by visiting:  https://www.outagamie.org/government/departments-f-m/human-resources

The following duties are most critical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.  

• Develop referral relationships with physicians, dementia diagnostic clinics and other health and long-term care providers.
• Provide dementia-specific consultation and technical assistance related to cognitive screening and individual family caregiver issues to adult protective service agencies, crisis response systems, county/tribal aging offices, and other agencies as requested.
• Provide at least two approved evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions, one specifically designed for family caregivers, as part of ongoing activities.  Maintain fidelity to the intervention model and accommodate families’ schedules for meetings.
• Provide volunteer training and guidance to expand the reach of the goals of the Dementia Care Specialist Program.
• Collaborate actively and develop referral protocols with local, regional, and statewide dementia organizations.
• Offer and provide person-centered support when memory screens are positive to assure opportunities for follow-up with primary care providers in accordance with the individual’s preferences. 
• Offer and provide short-term case management for individuals with dementia and/or their caregivers.  Coordinate with county/tribal aging unit, APS, and other county staff members and be available for joint or independent home visits. 
• Serve as a catalyst for developing and implementing strategies to create and sustain dementia-friendly communities in the service area.
• Provide outreach and awareness to professionals, employers, organizations, and the general community about available dementia services.
• Maintain current knowledge of dementia, research findings, new evidence-based interventions, and other innovations for people living in the community.
• Participate actively in Dementia Care Specialist (DCS) statewide and regional meetings, training programs, and conference calls.  Assist colleagues by sharing experiences.  
• Complete 100% time reporting, collect and report program data, and contribute to DCS program evaluation.
• Complete documentation on clients in the electronic health record in a timely fashion and according to agency policy.
• Make referrals to other agencies for additional services as requested or as appropriate.
• Offer and administer our Alzheimers Family Caregiver Support Program (AFCSP) funding for respite available for the caregiver.
• Maintain working relationships with other human services, medical, and social services agencies at various locations and levels of authority.
• Provide educational presentations to other agencies, organizations, and the general public.  Participate in community events and outreach.
• Attend Unit/Division Meetings, client/customer/participant collaboration meetings, and other meetings as required.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in the health or human services related field; a Master’s degree is preferred.  
• Two years of experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience preferred, working directly with individuals who have dementia and their caregivers. 
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

• Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to conform to goals, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including personal computer, photocopier, calculator, and telephone.
• Ability to transport oneself from location to location in an efficient and expedient manner.
• Ability to adhere to professional ethics and standards.
• Skill in organization including paperwork, time management and prioritization of crisis demands.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, calculate decimals and percent's, and make use of the principles of descriptive statistics.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret a variety of documents including client records, medical, accident, and other reports; psychological evaluations and other assessment reports, school records, professional literature, policy and procedure manuals, diagnostic manuals, etc.
• Ability to prepare a variety of documents including client records, referrals, intake and assessment records, case notes, letters and other correspondence, etc.
• Ability to use and interpret medical, legal, and counseling terminology related to the specialty.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Ability to facilitate small group learning and discussion programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and family members, community agencies and service providers, psychiatrists, physicians, other medical professionals, attorneys, Human Services personnel, and others verbally and in writing.
• Ability to perform public speaking engagements.
• Knowledge of the service delivery system.
• Knowledge of aging, disabilities, and/or mental illness, dependent on assignment, the effects on individuals and families, and the resources available.

Outagamie County offers Benefit options and paid time off for team members that work 20+ or more hours per week. Learn more today by visiting:  https://www.outagamie.org/government/departments-f-m/human-resources/employee-benefits-information

Outagamie County Diversity Statement: 

Outagamie County is committed to developing, nurturing, and sustaining an equitable community and workforce where all individuals can thrive. We pledge to amplify the voices of under-represented communities or those who were historically excluded, by removing barriers that result from racial, social injustice and inequities. We strive to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion are embedded at all levels of Outagamie County programs and departments through acknowledging, analyzing, and addressing the root causes of inequities. We will create and advance equitable polices, practices and procedures, including, but not limited to County services, recruitment and retention, policies and practices, budgeting and procurement. We commit to being transparent and will continually evaluate and update our values when identified goals and objectives are not being achieved or sustained. Outagamie County will strive to create an inclusive environment where every community member feels like he/she/they belong.

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE COUNTY WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND ENCOURAGES BOTH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES AND INCUMBENTS TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WITH THE EMPLOYER.