Minnesota Aging Pathways Volunteer Opportunities
OPPORTUNITIES
Minnesota Aging Pathways volunteers provide support to Minnesota Aging Pathways contact centers under the direction of the volunteer coordinator. Support may include mailings, presentations, Medicare and options counseling, etc. Volunteers can provide support to Minnesota Aging Pathways in a variety of ways, depending upon their qualifications and interests.
- Tier 1 – General clerical support, with no education or experience requirement
- Tier 2 – More comprehensive assistance provided directly to clients or groups via presentations or phone/in-person counseling sessions. This requires more education and experience.
Tier 1 Responsibilities
Operations
• Follow statewide training, policies, procedures set by the Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA) according to state and federal laws
• Review and implement relevant changes outlined in Minnesota Aging Pathways Weekly News
• Actively participate in Minnesota Aging Pathways workgroups, when designated
• Adhere to data privacy standards and minimum necessary policies and practices for client tracking system documentation
• Document interactions accurately and timely before and after each interaction takes place
Minnesota Aging Pathways support
• Staff outreach events
• Perform data entry
• Assemble packets for outreach events and mail to clients and providers
• Provide support at community events, including health fairs and other events
• Conduct regionally based outreach to underserved, rural and hard-to-reach populations
Build an inclusive and positive contact center culture
• Build and maintain positive relationships with local Minnesota Aging Pathways staff and community partners
• Project a respectful, professional, collaborative attitude toward all people on a consistent basis
• Support and contribute to an atmosphere of teamwork, problem solving, empowerment and participating in collaborative decision-making within the team
• Complete an annual survey to assess the volunteer coordinator and Minnesota Aging Pathways
TIER 2 RESPONSIBILITIES
Presentations
• Provide presentations to community members and partners about Minnesota Aging Pathways service using MBA-provided materials
• Educate groups about Medicare and planning for future long-term care needs
Medicare and options counseling
• Provide unbiased Medicare and other options counseling via the phone or in-person assistance, gathering required information, assessing needs and exploring available options
• Report on all services provided to the volunteer coordinator
• Provide high quality customer service by building rapport, actively listening and providing timely and efficient responses.
• Screen people for cost saving programs, such as Medicare LIS (Low-Income Subsidy or “Extra Help”) and MSP (Medicare Savings Program)
• Teach people about available tools to empower them to problem-solve
• Identify and report Medicare and health care fraud, waste and abuse
• Know when to escalate cases to volunteer coordinator, emergency services or Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC)
REQUIREMENTS
Education and experience – Tier 1
• No specific education or experience requirement
Education and experience - Tier 2
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a human services-related field, such as social work, nursing, public administration or gerontology and one-year of professional or internship experience working with older adults; OR
• Two-year certificate or degree in a human services-related field or a community health certificate with three-years of experience working with older adults; OR
• Five years of relevant professional experience related to Medicare or in care coordination at a nursing facility, assisted living, hospital, home care, lead agency, etc.
If providing health insurance counseling or long-term care options counseling, the volunteer cannot have a current/valid insurance agent license or broker license in any state, including Minnesota. No commissions can be collected or paid.
Knowledge and Skills
1. Possess client interviewing, person-centered and interpersonal communication skills
2. Be well-versed in intervention and de-escalation skills
3. Know about available community resources, benefits, public assistance programs and understanding of Medicare
4. Provide outstanding customer service
5. Understand problem solving techniques
6. Excellent time management
7. Have proficient computer skills
8. Have excellent presentation skills
Help us help people in your Minnesota community.
Become a Minnesota Aging Pathways volunteer Medicare counselor and help people in your Minnesota community in which you live. We have opportunities to do Medicare counseling, give live and remote presentations on Medicare and Medicare fraud awareness, and to help staff outreach events in our communities.
Counselors help Medicare consumers in Minnesota, their families, and caregivers, better understand Medicare options by providing information and referrals regarding resources. Counselors will also help Medicare consumers in Minnesota enroll in programs that could assist with health insurance costs and reduce prescription drug costs. You also have opportunities to lead Medicare related online classes and outreach.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us. Upon a successful background check, and the completion of the 18-hour training class, volunteers will receive certification through the Minnesota Board on Aging as a Health Insurance Counselor with the State Health Insurance and Assistance Program (SHIP).
If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity now, we can get you an application to complete. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator with your questions.
Volunteers will receive staff support, guidance, and on-going training as you provide assistance and outreach to seniors in your community.
If you are interested in volunteering to become a Medicare counselor in your community, or have questions, please contact Jess our Volunteer Coordinator at the Minnesota Aging Pathways, at jl*****@**dc.org.
