Information and Referral Specialist - Washington, United States - Amputee Coalition

Description

Job Summary

The Information and Referral (IR) Specialist will respond daily to consumer, professional, affiliate, and internal staff inquiries regarding limb loss and limb difference received via various communication channels.

The work involves obtaining sensitive information from requestors through professional assessment techniques and providing appropriate responses utilizing approved Amputee Coalition materials, databases, and referral resources.

This position must ensure the maintenance of our online searchable database of national, state, and local resources to address client needs and will support the development and dissemination of fact sheets and patient education materials working alongside the Resource and Education Manager.

The IR Specialist will keep abreast of developments in the field of Orthotic and Prosthetics by reading pertinent publications, performing online resource searches, attending professional conferences and workshops, and participating in the Amputee Coalition's annual conference.

Essential Functions**- Respond to all inquiries professionally and courteously.

• Effectively search various databases and websites to provide accurate and appropriate responses to inquiries.
• Follow bestpractice guidelines established by Inform USA for providing information and referral services.
• Responds to inquiries including, but not limited to, the following topics:
• medical assistance and referrals to specialists, financial assistance, vocational training, employment assistance, psychosocial needs/support groups, legal rights issues/advocacy, shelter, food, and continuing education.
• Consistently provide appropriate referrals to community resources, including Amputee Coalition affiliate and other resources that best meet the client's needs.
• Help monitor online community and forum sites and provide concise, accurate, and timely information to sensitive questions.
• Provide technical assistance to support Amputee Coalition affiliates as they provide information and referral services at the local level.
• Enter all essential demographic information into the consumer inquiry database (Salesforce) to facilitate rapid, accurate, comprehensive statistical reporting and data transfer.
• Assist with maintaining and updating all resource referral records.
• Assist with researching new referral resources in the U.S. and internationally, focusing on resources in underserved and unaffiliated territories.
• Review limb loss and limb differentrelated news items, newsletters, and journal articles directed to information staff to acquire uptodate knowledge and enhance their ability to address new clientinitiated questions.
• Attend contentspecific conferences, symposia, or technical training programs for professional development.
• Alert the Coalitions Communications Department of media activity related to limb loss and limb difference, about which the Coalition has not been notified.
• Provide followup to clients to better support their quality of life and ability to utilize the information and referral resources provided.
• Assist in the compilation of data for reporting needs.
• Assist with other duties and special projects as assigned

Required Knowledge,
Skills, Abilities**- Bachelor's degree in human services (e.g., social work, nursing, counseling, human services, or another social service field) is preferred.


Required Education, Certifications/
Licenses, Related Experience**- Minimum of 2 years of experience in the information and referral field.

• Proficiency with MS Office, Salesforce, and is comfortable learning new technical systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the human services field.

Other Specific Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Certifications, Licenses:

• Familiarity with Information and Referral systems and standards
• Knowledge of or ability to learn about limb loss and limb difference, including other disabilities, orthotics, prosthetics, and how to best provide support to individuals and their families.
• Knowledge of health data information sources and their use.
• Experience in information and referral or crisis intervention preferred.
• Excellent data entry, research, communication, and writing skills.
• A high level of detail orientation and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize work assignments, track multiple projects simultaneously, and follow through to completion with each.
• Ability to work independently with mínimal supervision on assigned duties; a sense of ownership and urgency in completing assigned job duties is essential.
• Excellent time management and problemsolving skills.
• Uses sound judgement and maintains strict confidentiality.

Physical
Job Requirements**- This position requires the ability to remain stationary and seated for over half their time.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear and will require staring at a computer screen and/or documents for