State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) - Medicare counselor

Save to Favorites

*Please note this opportunity is on hold to start until (tentatively) after January 1, 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns.*
*We are still happy to take applications and speak with you about this position in the meantime, so please inquire about this future opportunity.*

DRCOG’s Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) serves older adults, their families, people 18 and older with disabilities as well as service providers. The ADRC covers eight counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin and Jefferson counties.

One program of the ADRC is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) which provides Medicare counseling to beneficiaries in Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties. SHIP Counselors complete a 40+ hour certification and training in order to be able to provide Medicare guidance. Calls for the SHIP come in through our SHIP line (303) 480-6835. They may also come through the ADRC Information & Assistance line (303) 480-6700, where they are triaged for other services, and then transferred to the SHIP. At DRCOG, all ADRC staff and Case Management staff are certified SHIP Counselors.

A volunteer SHIP Counselor performs many functions in coordination with fulltime SHIP staff. In return, volunteers experience the satisfaction of connecting people with services and resources to enable older adults and people with disabilities to access and understand their Medicare coverage and assistance programs. Additionally, volunteers supplement staff and resources at the AAA as the need for services rises with the dramatic increase in the aging population. Many of the people who turn to the SHIP for assistance are not aware of the networks of providers and services that exist to help people access Medicare benefits. SHIP Counselors can bring their own personal styles of communicating to their interactions with the people whom they are assisting. It is important to connect with people who need to feel heard.

Functions/Tasks

• Under the supervision and support of SHIP staff, provide counseling on Medicare plans, enroll beneficiaries in Medicare plans and benefits, and provide education about Medicare fraud prevention to consumers, their families, and service providers.
• Enter data from consumer interactions in the ADRC Call Center and complete Client Contact forms needed for SHIP reporting.
• Assist with verifying and identifying resources.
• Assist with providing information at community events in DRCOG’s region; events may occur throughout the year on weekdays, evenings and weekends.
• Participate in AAA, ADRC and SHIP staff meetings as needed.
• Assist with providing general administrative support for the SHIP division as needed.
  
  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities of an Effective Volunteer

• Working knowledge of issues and concerns facing older adults, their families and persons 18 and older with disabilities.
• Ability to- work collaboratively with others and receive feedback well- work with consumers in a professional manner and be sensitive/aware of cultural differences
• - utilize computer/Internet programs
• - assess needs and prioritize services
• - communicate professionally
• Ability to obtain SHIP certification within 3 months of hire
  
  Expectations

• A minimum of 4 hours of volunteer service per week - scheduled in coordination with SHIP staff on a monthly basis.
• Increase of hours as volunteers are able to during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period - October 15th to December 7th.
• Schedule may be flexible based on special circumstances (i.e. seasonal employment for volunteers that reside outside of the Denver area certain months of the year), requires prior approval by the Aging Services Supervisor/Counselor.
• Please note that we are unable to hire anyone as a volunteer that has an active license to sell insurance in any state.