Salary: See Position Description Location : CO 80202, CO Job Type: Volunteer Job Number: 2024-12 Department: Area Agency on Aging Opening Date: 04/26/2024 Closing Date: 12/31/2026 5:00 PM Mountain SummaryThis is a volunteer, unpaid position. The Denver Regional Council of Governments serves as a visionary leader along Colorado's front range. We tackle the BIG issues, like growth and development, transportation and meeting the needs of older adults. Our success is built on, and defined by, long-standing partnerships and serving as a forum for discussing these and other emerging issues in an effort to collectively find innovative solutions. DRCOG is a Regional Planning Commission per Colorado state statute, is the federally designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA), and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Denver region. Sound like a good fit? We'd love to meet you! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Description of WorkDescription of Work Would you like to demonstrate your gifts and talents in helping older adults and adults with disabilities in your community? Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is looking for volunteers to serve many different functions. Volunteers are essential in helping the AAAs reach as many people as possible in the designated service areas. Being a volunteer with the AAA will not only impact the lives of others but will give you a sense of purpose along with sharing your talents and compassion for helping others. Apply now and see what volunteer opportunities we have for you. We offer training needed to fulfill each volunteer opportunity. Additionally, we offer free training throughout the year to expand your knowledge and skills. We offer flexible schedules with remote and in person opportunities. What is the Area Agency on Aging? With more than 40 years of experience as the designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the eight-county region, the Denver Regional Council of Government plans and provides comprehensive services to address the needs of the region's population of older adults and people living with disabilities. We are responsible for the establishment of a comprehensive, coordinated system of community-based supportive and nutrition services for the Denver region's older adults. As required by the OAA, the Denver region's AAA plan on Aging () is carried out through programs provided directly by the AAA and through contracts with community-based agencies to provide a continuum of services. The AAA has many options to help older adults 60+, their families, and caregivers remain independent in the community, including information and referral services, case management, transportation, home-delivered meals, senior centers, legal services and more through our network of funded providers. We are also an Aging and Disability Resource Center for Colorado (ADRC) and provide information and assistance as well as options counseling for both older adults and adults 18+ living with a disability. This program helps streamline access to long-term services and supports in the community. Options counselors are available to offer personalized education and decision support around local resources for individuals and their caregivers. Program Overview The Caregiver Services and Support Program provides education, counseling, and resources for informal family caregivers providing care to older adults, adults living with disabilities, and people living with dementia. These positions will be under the Caregiver Services and Support team. Volunteers will be trained, scheduled, and supervised by the Volunteer Coordinator with supervision by the ADRC Manager. Summary This volunteer position will report PRN (as needed): estimated 2 hours per month. The volunteer Clinical Supervisor(s) will be responsible for providing general supervision to The Program to Encourage Active and Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) Coaches, reviewing participant information, and coordinating with the participant's existing providers to make recommendations regarding client medications/treatments. The Clinical Supervisor will not be providing direct recommendations/treatment to the participant, nor providing prescription medications. An essential component of PEARLS is a psychiatric supervisor and consultant (or an equivalent level of supervision and consultation from a psychologist paired with a psychiatric ARNP or medical doctor), who can make recommendations about psychiatric medications (mostly antidepressants) and be available as a consultant to discern when medical issues, drug side effects, or other organic issues are contributing to depression or other medical or mental health symptoms. In addition to reviewing all cases and the course of PEARLS counseling during monthly meetings during case supervision with the PEARLS coach, the psychiatrist is available to contact the client's physician and medical team to recommend initiating or adjusting antidepressant medications or to assess for potential medical and substance abuse etiologies for depression. Duties • Monthly Supervision of PEARLS Coaches to discuss cases that are particularly challenging and/or clients who are not improving • Review applicants with exclusionary condi..ons to determine PEARLS eligibility • Medication/Medical History Review • Medication Reconciliation/Interaction Checking • Medication Change Recommendations • Consult with Client PCP/MH providers as needed to recommend appropriate medical and mental health interventions as needed Preferred Qualifications • Licensed Psychiatrist • Genuine interest in working with geriatric populations • Familiarity with Problem-Solving Treatment (PST) • Familiarity with Behavioral Activation • Experience in working with chronically medically ill patients • Comfort and experience in interacting with primary care providers, and • Experience providing supervision in an interdisciplinary team setting Requirements • Be licensed to practice and in good standing with the State of Colorado as either a: • Psychiatrist • Psychologist • MD or DO • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner • Physicians Assistant - Or - • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (MSW/LCSW) AND a Medical Professional listed above Volunteers and Interns are not eligible for benefits. 01 Which best describes your level of education?
- High School or GED
- Some College
- Associates Degree
- Bachelors Degree
- Masters Degree
- Doctorate Degree
02 How many years of related professional-level experience do you have?
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five to less than six years
- Six to less than seven years
- Seven to less than eight years
- Eight to less than nine years
- Nine or more years
03 Why do you want to be an Area Agency on Aging volunteer? 04 Describe any related volunteer or work experience you have. 05 Have you served as an informal family caregiver for an older adult, person living with dementia, or adult child with Intellectual or Development Delays within the past 12 months?
06 Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) requires three professional reference checks for potential candidates. Our preference is to have all three references come from a current or former direct supervisor. A direct supervisor can be a supervisor who supervised or directed your work in an employment or volunteer setting. if necessary, we can accept up to two nonsupervisory professional references in lieu of each supervisory professional reference. Can you provide those?
07 Do you hold, or have you ever held a professional and/or medical license in any field? If yes: type, expiration, license number 08 Where did you hear about us? Required Question