Medical Escort and Friendly Helping Coordinator

FriendshipWorks' mission is to reduce social isolation, enhance quality of life and
preserve the dignity of elders in Boston and Brookline. We accomplish this mission by
recruiting and training volunteers of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds who provide
friendship, advocacy, education, assistance, and emotional support to isolated older
adults.
FriendshipWorks operates five programs throughout Greater Boston. Friendly Visiting
program connects elders one-on-one in their homes with volunteers who provide
company, friendship, and support. Friendly visiting matching is provided in all of
Boston’s neighborhoods, Brookline, Newton, Cambridge and Somerville. Friendly
Helping provides short-term assistance in Boston and Brookline. Two other programs
foster connection in congregate settings – PetPals and MusicWorks.
Medical Escorts is a “door-through-door” service where volunteers accompany elders
to medical appointments, providing personalized support before, during, and after
the visit. While the program does not provide transportation, volunteers accompany
elders on their visits throughout Boston and Brookline. The program recruits both
English and Spanish-speaking volunteers.
DESCRIPTION
Position Summary:
The Medical Escort Coordinator oversees all aspects of the Medical Escort Program. As
such, the coordinator is responsible both for the day-to-day management of the
program (e.g. filling requests for escorts, conducting intakes, training/supporting
volunteers, supervising interns) as well as longer-term strategic planning and action
(e.g. designing projects to grow the program, engaging in targeted outreach).
Depending on staffing and several pending grants, this position will also likely provide
coverage for our Friendly Helping program, which provides short-term assistance on a
variety of tasks to older adults. The functions around older adults and volunteers are
similar to medical escort.
This position is currently a hybrid position, with 2-3 days in the downtown office
(Chinatown/Downtown Crossing) and the rest doing outreaching, visiting elders,
and/or working from home.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Overall:
● Commitment to FriendshipWorks’ mission and volunteer-driven model.
● Be a spokesperson for all FriendshipWorks programs in the assigned neighborhoods.
● Supervise and train interns, volunteers and staff as needed.
● Maintain strong communication with the main office.
● Work with the Director of Programs and other program staff on defining and
measuring impact goals; responsible for reporting on volunteers, elders, and
matches.
● Plan, with the Friendly Visitor Team, volunteer appreciation events.
● Participate in, and be community liaison for, FriendshipWorks events such as the
Walk to End Elder Isolation.
● Bring funding opportunities, potential donors and board members to the attention
of the Director of Programs and/or Executive Director.
● Other responsibilities as assigned.
Medical Escorts:
● Conduct outreach to hospitals, doctors’ offices, home care agencies, home nursing
agencies, etc. to raise the visibility of the program, to develop a pipeline of referrals
and to generate interest in volunteering.
● Conduct phone intakes with referral sources and elders to determine needs, collect
information, and determine appropriateness of referral.
● Recruit, interview, and train new medical escort volunteers.
● Coordinate medical escort requests and provide volunteers with weekly
opportunities.
● Maintain weekly and monthly schedules for all escort requests.
● Engage in direct service (only) as a back-up when needed to complete medical
escorts.
● Host at least one volunteer appreciation event for volunteers and support
organization-wide efforts to support volunteer engagement.
● Responsible for maintaining data about elders, volunteers, escorts and referrals
sources in Salesforce, and other data as needed on shared folders such as outreach
efforts.
Friendly Helping:
● Conduct outreach to develop a pipeline of referrals and to generate interest in
volunteering.
● Conduct intakes and in-person visits for new elders to determine needs, collect
information, specifics of task request, and observe home environment.
● Recruit, interview, and train new medical escort volunteers.
● Coordinate friendly helping requests and provide volunteers with weekly
opportunities.
● Responsible for maintaining data about elders, volunteers, escorts and referrals
sources in Salesforce, and other data as needed on shared folders such as outreach
efforts.
Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
● Experience in and passion for community outreach and engagement.
● Experience and sensitivity in assessing the needs of elders.
● Excellent organizational skills; detail oriented.
● Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
● Excellent communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
● Comfort with setting healthy boundaries/delegating tasks as needed.
● Ability to foster volunteer commitment or experience with volunteer management.
● Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience a plus.
● Knowledge of health and social service resources in Boston preferred.
● Strong computer skills; familiarity with Salesforce or other databases a plus.
● Bilingual Spanish-English strongly preferred.
Salary low 40’s. Send a cover letter and resume to: jobs@fw4elders.org. Please
put Medical Escort Coordinator in the subject line.
FriendshipWorks strives to create a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone
feels welcome and supported. FriendshipWorks provides equal employment
opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or creed,
gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, disability or any
other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law with respect
to employment opportunities. Individuals from underrepresented groups are
especially encouraged to apply.