The CARES Assessor conducts comprehensive assessments for nursing facility placement and home-based services while evaluating appropriate levels of care. They also maintain accurate client medical records and participate in interdisciplinary teams to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have at least four years of professional experience in community and social services or a bachelor's degree in a related field. A valid Florida driver's license and the ability to travel for work are required.
04/10/2026 Total Compensation Estimator ToolDEPARTMENT OF ELDER AFFAIRS CARES 2B *****OPEN COMPETITIVE****
POSITION OVERVIEW AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a highly responsible position that provides comprehensive assessments of applicants for nursing facility placement and home and community-based services, evaluates the Level of Care, and recommends the most appropriate placement. PAY: Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications, ranging from $36,317.40 to $42,487.32, annually.
Duties and Responsibilities: Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Coordinates and conducts comprehensive assessments of applicants for nursing facility placement and home and community-based services.
Evaluates the Level of Care and recommends the most appropriate placement; participates as a member of an interdisciplinary staffing team for Level of Care determination.
Maintains accurate and up-to-date medical information on clients through regular documentation of activities.
Ensures timely and accurate data collection, reporting, and follow-up with individuals in accordance with established CARES policies, procedures, and regulations as directed in the CARES Handbook.
Inputs assessment data into Client Information & Registration Tracking System (CIRTS).
Maintains updated data in CIRTS on cases assigned in accordance with established CARES policies, procedures, and regulations as directed in the CARES Handbook.
Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team in making Title XIX Level of Care decisions (inclusive of physicians and other specialized professionals), maintains accurate and up-to-date medical information on clients through regular documentation of casework activities, ensuring timely and accurate data collection and reporting.
Benefits
Dental Insurance
Paid Holidays
Sick Leave
Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Annual Leave
Retirement Plan Options
Tuition Waivers
Life Insurance Policy
State Group Health Insurance Coverage
Ensures that the Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) process is completed before a Level of Care is issued when a request is received from a state mental hospital, a psychiatric hospital, or a psychiatric hospital unit.
Participates in monitoring of placement decisions on cases assigned through an annual recertification process; communicates with the long-term care network and relevant providers to ensure the appropriate Level of Care, program recommendation, and placement recommendation.
Maintains a high level of professional CARES knowledge, including an understanding of State and Federal rules and laws governing the activities performed by CARES.
Improves/enhances professional knowledge, skills, and abilities through education courses, seminars, workshops, review of policies and procedures, etc.
Participates in pilot/special projects, which involves collaborative efforts to improve assessment and delivery of services.
Participates in disaster recovery efforts throughout the State of Florida.
Reports to Special Needs Shelters to assist with discharge planning during a hurricane-related or other type of emergency situation.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Attendance is an essential function of this position.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities
Knowledge of Level of Care rules and regulations, knowledge of CARES policies and procedures, knowledge of the aging process and the effects of chronic illness, knowledge of interviewing techniques, knowledge of community resources, as they relate to elders and adults with disabilities, ability to compile, organize, and analyze client information, ability to work with clients with a variety of physical and emotional problems, ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
Possess strong written and oral communication skills, and uses correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Be detail oriented and able to enter data accurately into a computerized system.
Navigate multiple computer screens and applications.
Basic proficiency in Microsoft Windows Operating environments and Office Suite products to include Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint.
Prepare clear, concise, and accurate records and other documentation in a logical format.
Ability to demonstrate a professional and courteous demeanor to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff.
Ability to follow written and oral directions and instructions.
Ability to read, understand, and apply complicated and detailed regulations, policies, procedures, and programs governing the agency.
Ability to communicate with others to obtain and verify information concerning eligibility.
Analyze and interpret written, numerical, and verbal data from various sources.
Ability to type and prepare reports and memorandums accurately and timely.
Plan and organize to ensure work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness.
Ability to work in a large, open office environment.
Ability to lift and carry a laptop and associated documents (up to ten pounds).
Maintains confidentiality as required.
Requirements
Four (4) or more years of professional experience in the field of community and social services; or A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in the field of community and social services; or A combination of education and professional experience in the field of community and social services work totaling four (4) or more years.
Travel is required.
Operates own private motor vehicle for routine travel within the assigned planning and service area.
All applicable State and local driving laws and insurance regulations must be strictly adhered to in the operation of the private vehicle while performing State business.
You must possess a valid Florida driver’s license.
Overnight travel may be required.
The benefits of working for the state of florida
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive employee benefits including:
State Group Health Insurance Coverage; $25,000 Life Insurance Policy (100% paid by employer); Dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options available; Annual and Sick Leave benefits, 10 paid holidays each year; Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com); Flexible Spending Accounts; and Tuition waivers to attend State of Florida community colleges, colleges, and universities!
For a more complete list of benefits, click https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/. OUR ORGANIZATION AND MISSION: The Department is dedicated to promoting the well-being, safety, and independence of Florida's seniors, their families, and caregivers. Its vision is for all Floridians to live well and age well. SPECIAL NOTE: Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.
Include supervisor names and phone numbers of all periods of employment.
Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
Gaps of employment for 3 months or more MUST be addressed on application.
Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history.
Periods of employment should be entered with the most recent/current listed first.
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please contact the FRS to determine if your current benefits may be affected if you are reemployed with the State of Florida in an FRS-covered position.
Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed invalid depending upon the date of your retirement.
If claiming Veteran’s Preference, candidates MUST attach supporting documentation (DD214).
If claiming Right to First Interview, candidates MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying.
All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.
BACKGROUND CHECKS: Successful completion of a Level 2 Criminal History Background Check is required for all applicants selected for this position.
APPLICANT INFORMATION: Applicants should apply on-line via the People First Website https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of the position vacancy advertisement but are strongly encouraged to apply by 6:00 p.m. on the closing date to avoid any system down times or any other complications that may arise.
If you have problems applying on-line, call the People First Service Center at 1-877-562-7287.
Paper applications will not be accepted by the agency.
The Department of Elder Affairs is an "older worker-friendly" employer and also lists vacancies on the Silver Edition website, found at http://silver.employflorida.com, that connects persons age 50 and older with other businesses/volunteer organizations/employers who specify they are "older worker-friendly." The Department of Elder Affairs is an E-Verify employer and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each New Employee’s I-9 Form to confirm work eligibility.Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735).
Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace.
All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
Veterans’ preference.
Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.
Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.
Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.
Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.
All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
