Employment
Current Open Positions
Medicare Counselor – Trainee
Applications accepted through May 9, 2025
SUMMARY: To serve as a consumer advocate and a primary resource for accurate, unbiased information about Medicare insurance coverage. The role also includes, but is not limited to, Explanation of Benefits, Medicare Summary Notices, the federal government’s Medicare Savings Program and assist with understanding invoices billed to the client for payment of services not covered by Medicare.
To augment the Medicare counseling team to provide Medicare consumer counseling, education and information for informed decision making with regard to Medicare insurance.
The Medicare Advocate Trainee reports to the Medicare Education Specialist.
This position is part-time (20 hours/wk) and will become full-time within 2 – 3 years. Starting wage is $17.00/hour
Duties:
- Participate in and successfully complete OSHIIP Medicare on-line training course.
- Read Medicare OSHIIP Training Manual as assigned.
- Attend Medicare webinars, Medicare in-person seminars as assigned by the Medicare Education Specialist.
- Shadow the Medicare Education Specialist when counseling consumers to become knowledgeable to counsel Medicare consumers on:
- Original Medicare
- HMO, PPO and SNP Medicare Advantage Plans
- Medicare Financial Assistance Programs
- Medicare Part D plans
- State and private retiree plans, including, but not limited to: STRS, OPERS, SERS, Ohio Police & Fire, UAW and other defined retiree plans
- Veterans coverage
- Medicare Supplement Savings Programs
- Cobra Coverage
- HRAs vs. HSAs
- Prescription Assistance Programs
- Other duties to learn to provide Medicare counseling:
- Learn to identify when the Erie County older adult, age 60+, is eligible for Medicare coverage and in what manner.
- Learn to identify when the Erie County older adult, age 60+, is eligible for Medicaid, and is not eligible for Medicare.
- Learn to assist the Medicare Education Specialist on Medicare Savings Programs.
- Learn to counsel consumers by observing and assisting the Medicare Education Specialist lead Medicare Q & A Roundtable sessions.
- Other duties to learn to provide Medicare counseling (continued):
- Learn to counsel consumers by observing and assisting the Medicare Education Specialist present “New to Medicare” classes.
- Learn to give Medicare presentations to groups of 5 to 25 people, while the being assisted/shadowed/observed by the Medicare Insurance Specialist.
- Learn to participate in public forums, as a panelist, on the topic of Medicare insurance.
- Learn how to maintain and retrieve records involving Medicare Counseling outcomes, using the SOS Member database.
- Learn to counsel consumers without being in the company of the Medicare Education Specialist , to include:
- Explaining costs vs. insurance benefits
- How to select the most comprehensive Medicare insurance coverage for the amount of money the consumer can afford to pay.
Trainee Responsibilities
- To acquire the knowledge to counsel on Medicare and apply it into the daily work, within 12 months of starting employment, while requiring minimal supervision by Medicare Education Specialist.
- Actively participates in continuing education by attending Medicare trainings; OSHIIP webinars and self-development necessary to remain current with the ever-changing Medicare Counseling Program.
- Coordinate and promote OSHIIP Medicare Counseling throughout the Erie County Community.
- Coordinate and promote Medicare Roundtable Q &A sessions;
- Coordinate and promote New to Medicare classes
SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Excellent written and oral communication.
- Excellent public speaking skills.
- Excellent telephone skills
- Takes initiative and requires minimal supervision to complete work.
- Works well with others
- Strong interpersonal skills that foster cooperation, conveys empathy, courtesy and respect in all communications
- Strong keyboarding skills
- Able to learn how to use the agency’s client database
- Able to learn how to use Medicare.gov website to include Plan Finder.
- Able to perform basic math functions accurately and incorporate it into the daily workS
- Able to effectively engage older adults
- Able to meet clients for appointments in a timely and efficient manner
- Able to clearly articulate words and speak loud enough to work with the hearing impaired.
- Able to use word, e-mail, powerpoint, excel.
- Able to file hard copy documents and electronic documents
- Able to retrieve hard copy documents that have been filed and stored, to include bending stooping, standing, sitting, maneuvering between filing cabinets.
- Able to walk up or down stairs when required.
- Demonstrates the use of problem solving skills
- Demonstrates a level of comfort with computers and willingness to learn new computer programs and changes associated with computer programs.
- Demonstrates and uses the ability to be flexible and embrace change relative to agency practices, OSHIIP and Medicare.
- Demonstrates a comfort level asking questions as it relates to properly completing work responsibilities.
- Demonstrates an ability to do multiple tasks and incorporate it into daily work.
- Demonstrates an ability to learn to use a telephone system to transfer calls and incorporate it into daily work, when needed.
- Demonstrates an ability to use 3 way calling and incorporate it into daily work, when needed.
Desirable Characteristics of a “Trainee for Insurance Education Specialist/Trainer of Volunteer Medicare Counselors”
Displaying a high level of Initiative & Effort
- Ability to organize workload
- Ability to follow through on work without being excessively supervised
- Ability to complete work in a timely manner
- Uses professional & personal judgement to take action for a positive outcome.
Being Proactive & Achievement Oriented
- Ability to go “Above & Beyond” when asked to do something.
- Ability to offer advice to others whom may not know an answer to a question.
- Being Open to Change & New Information
- Ability to ask questions
- Desire to approach new and unexpected things with an “I can do this” attitude.
Being Open to Change & New Information
- Sets an example for others that “change is good”, and sees learning new information as a way to keep a fresh attitude.
- Works well in a “learn as we go” environment.
- Seeks assistance with a positive attitude when procedure or practice is unclear
- Appreciates constructive criticism; encourages correction from others.
Dealing Effectively with Pressure
- Does not show negative emotions in the heat of the moment
- Desirable Characteristics of a “Trainee for Insurance Education
- Specialist/Trainer of Volunteer Medicare Counselors” (continued):
- Does not practice “backstabbing”
- Remains calm and respectful without naming blame
- Owns his/her mistakes (or decisions) and takes appropriate action to remedy the problem or situation
- Asks co-workers & supervisor for assistance to deal with pressured situation, and sees it as an opportunity to learn from experience.
- Will not sacrifice the integrity of the agency to deal with/avoid the pressure
- Practices honesty even when it feels easier to say/do what would relieve the pressure
Trainee Responsibilities
- To acquire the knowledge and apply it into the daily work, within 18 months of starting employment, while requiring minimal supervision by Medicare Education Specialist.
- Actively participates in continuing education by attending Medicare trainings; OSHIIP webinars and self-development necessary to remain current with the ever-changing Medicare Counseling Program.
- Contribute to the development of the OSHIIP Medicare Volunteers through engagement, training of volunteers, coordinating volunteer counseling appointments,
- Coordinating volunteers to help with Medicare presentations.
- Define and develop policy and procedures for the OSHIIP Medicare Volunteers to follow.
- Coordinate and promote OSHIIP Medicare Counseling throughout the Erie County Community.
- Coordinate and promote Medicare Roundtable Q &A sessions;
- Coordinate and promote New to Medicare classes
- Assist with the Medicare Counseling Reporting monthly/quarterly/annually
- Assist and support co-workers and OSHIIP Medicare Volunteers to be successful in their role.