Careers
CARIE was founded in 1977 primarily as an advocacy organization for the frail elderly. The organization is recognized throughout the region and the country as a resource for a wide range of people and institutions seeking to resolve elder care issues. CARIE currently employs 22 staff with an annual budget of about $1,750,000. The work environment is best described as ambitions, congenial, and flexible.
Victim Advocate Position with PAVE (Providing Advocacy for Victimized Elderly) Program:
Victim Advocates in the PAVE Program serve elder victims of crime and abuse by providing court accompaniment in the Philadelphia criminal justice process, assisting in filing applications for victims’ compensation, and making referrals for additional needed services. The role of the PAVE Advocate is to provide direct assistance to older adults who are victims of violence and/or sexual assault. The successful candidate for this multi-faceted position will be able to manage data collection and evaluation; develop educational presentations and literature; coordinate outreach efforts; work collaboratively with partners and other members of the aging services network; and provide representation at conferences, media events, networking opportunities and committees.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Actively and effectively engage in appropriate outreach activities to older adult victims of crime
- Monitors the progress and assist victims of elder abuse and crime through the criminal justice and/or protective services system
- Intervene during crisis situations that occur during court proceedings
- Provide criminal justice support and advocacy, including education and assistance in filing Victim Compensation forms as needed
- Advocate for victims so that they receive the resources which they are entiteled
- Prepare victims, their families, and their friends for all legal proceedings
- Assist in administering an emergency fund to provide assistance for locks and other security measure for victims of elder abuse and crime
- Help victims prepare victim impact statements
- Accompany victims to legal proceedings in Family Court and at the Criminal Justice Center
- Advocate for and work with other agencies in developing specialized supports
- Follow-up with victims, their families, and their friends as appropriate
- Maintain client case notes
- Enter client information into database
- Assist in collecting information needed to complete outcome measurment
- Attend staff meetings, appropriate community meetings and required training
- Other duties as assigned
Education/Experience/Skill Requirements:
- BSW or related degree, in social work, criminal justice, human services, or other related field
- Experience in and/or knowledge of working with victims, the criminal justice system, aging policy, resources for older persons, and their caregivers helpful
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Public speaking/training expertise
Required Screening:
- Criminal Background Check
- Professional References
Physical and Mental Demands:
Must work well under pressure and have the ability to be creative and analytical. Must be able to travel locally, visit the Philadelphia court system and use public transportation; operate office equipment including but not limited to computer, telephone, fax, copier; move freely around the office; sit or stand at a desk and telephone for long periods of time; communicate in person, and over the phone, with individuals and groups. This position may require occasional work outside of normal office hours Some lifting of 10-20 pounds may be necessary.
Compensation:
Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and out-of-pocket expense reimbursement for travel related to the job. This position is exempt from overtime compensation.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Position:
CARIE has provided long-term care ombudsman services in Philadelphia since 1981, providing advocacy and complaint resolution for elders in long-ter care settings including nursing homes, assisted living, domiciliary care, and adult day centers as well as elder in the LIFE (Living Independently for Elders) program.
The long-term care ombudsman serves as an advocate for long term care consumers by handling complaints and educating residents and families about their rights. This full time position reports to CARIE’s Program Manager. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is under contract with the Philadelphia Corporation for aging. The program covers 18 nursing homes, 43 licensed personal care homes, 75 Domiciliary Care Homes and 13 Older Adult Daily Living Centers in North Central, Center City, West, and South Philadelphia.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Investigate and resolve complaints made by and on behalf of residents in long-term care settings
- Respond to calls providing information and advocacy about issues regarding long-term care consumers
- Attend and participate in resident/participant meetings and family meetings in long-term care settings
- Make regular visits to long-term care facilities to observe facilities, talk to consumers, staff/consumer interaction, check for safety, cleanliness, etc.
- Respond to requests for assistance and in-services for staff
- Support volunteer ombudsman and PEER (Pennsylvania’s Empowered Expert Residents) program as needed
- Analyze public policy affecting long-term care services and assist in developing comments
- Provide information about long term care issues to the community through speaking engagements, on-going involvement with other organizations, hearings, etc.
- Represent CARIE and Ombudsman Program on committees and workgroups
- Attend CARIE staff meeting s and committees as assigned, attend regional ombudsman meetings and required trainings
- Write occasional reports, articles, or other materials
- Review literature (reports, articles, studies, etc.) on a regular basis to stay current on long-term care issues
- Maintain documentation in ombudsman database
- Other related duties as assigned
Educational/Experience/Skill Requirements:
- Bachelor degree in Social Work or related field
- Motivation to advocate on behalf of long-term care consumers and willingness to learn
- Experience in and/or knowledge of aging policy, resources for older persons and their caregivers, and the long-term care system
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office
- Willingness to attend mandatory training outside of Philadelphia
- Willingness to travel throughout the city of Philadelphia using public transportation and flexibility to work occasional evening and weekend hours
- Ability to remain objective and impartial while investigating complaints
- Public speaking/training expertise
Required Screening:
- Criminal Background Check
- Professional References
Physical and Mental Requirements:
- Must work well under pressure and have the ability to be creative and analytical
- Must be able to use public transportation to travel to North Central, Center City, West, and South Philadelphia
- Must be observant and able to attend to details of environment while visiting long term care settings
- Must be able to walk up stairs
- Must be able to operate office equipment including but not limited to computer, telephone, fax, copier; move freely around the office, sit or stand at a desk and telephone for long periods of time; communicate in person over the telephone with individuals and groups
- Availability for occasional work outside of normal office hours
- Some lifting of 10-20 pounds may be necessary
An Ombudsman must be free of conflict of interest and cannot be employed by, have ownership interest in, or be involved in the management of a long-term care facility while employed as a long-term care ombudsman.
Compensation:
Excellent benefits, and out-of-pocket expense reimbursement for travel related to the job. This position is exempt from overtime compensation
Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to:
Lori Walsh/Program Manager
CARIE
2 Penn Center 1500 JFK Blvd. Suite 1500
Philadelphia, PA 19102
FAX: 215-545-5732
Include position title in email subject line
no phone calls please
CARIE is an equal opportunity employer
