A geriatric care manager ensures that a facility that specializes in elderly care runs smoothly on a daily basis. She is usually in charge of personnel management, program development and implementation, and client and family communications. Her job could be in a big or small hospital, a daycare center, or a retirement home.
Success in this position necessitates active and attentive participation in all of the facility’s daily activities. Interacting with clients and their families allows the manager to assess customer satisfaction and make necessary adjustments. She is generally expected to keep a close eye on health-care practices to ensure that they are up to par. Checking in with the administrative staff on a regular basis keeps her informed about changes in the insurance industry’s requirements and alerts her to any cases that need to be investigated or resolved.
A geriatric care manager is frequently required to interact with independent care providers, family members, and doctors to set up treatment programs or arrange services if outside sources are required to adequately serve her clients. She could help coordinate home care for recently discharged clients or arrange appointments with specialists who aren’t available at her facility. If any of these provisions cause disagreements, a geriatric care manager is frequently asked to use her mediation skills to help resolve the situation.
A person in this job is frequently required to submit reports and summaries to regulatory agencies and organizations that determine eligibility for elderly guardianships, in addition to oral communication skills. She is also expected to update client care plans as circumstances change. If clients or their families require community resources, a geriatric care manager is frequently asked to write a letter of referral. In some cases, the manager actively assists in the search for long-term care facilities for clients who are no longer able to be served properly at her location.
A good geriatric care manager should strike a balance between empathy and professionalism. She is frequently called upon to provide emotional support to a client or a family member one minute and then walk into a tightly structured business meeting the next. Her ability to maintain compassion while following industry standards is critical to her success.
To be considered for this position, you must have a bachelor’s degree in gerontology, social work, or a related field. A nursing degree or license is highly sought after. Typically, two years of experience in patient services, health care administration, or geriatrics is required. A master’s degree may be required for upper-level management positions.