SHICK volunteers provide assistance and support to the public and the SHICK program in a variety of ways.  The attached page lists five volunteer roles, their specific responsibilities, and the training volunteers must complete for each one.

All SHICK volunteers report to a SHICK Coordinator in their area, and they all receive training and support from the local Coordinator and state SHICK staff.  In addition to the specific responsibilities listed on the following page, all SHICK volunteer positions share the responsibilities and desired qualifications listed below.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain client confidentiality at all times.
• Satisfactorily omplete required training each year.
• Conduct volunteer activities in compliance with the SHICK Volunteer Memorandum of Understanding.
• Determine clients’ needs; provide information, assistance and referrals as appropriate.
• Complete and submit a SHICK Client Contact Form for each client contact.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to work with others
• Sensitive, caring, confident attitude
• Ability to learn and retain information relevant to health insurance regulations and willingness to continually update knowledge about changing regulations
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Willingness to commit sufficient time to handle several ongoing projects at once
• Familiarity with the computer and the Internet

If you’re interested in becoming a SHICK volunteer, please contact your local SHICK Coordinator or call the SHICK Call Center at 1-800-860-5260 to be put in touch with the Coordinator for your area.

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Position:  Comprehensive Medicare Counselor

Purpose of Position:  Provide information and counseling about Medicare Parts A, B, C and D as well as other health insurance issues (for example Medigap, long-term care, Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare’s “extra help”)

Training required:  28 hours initial training, 12 hours update training annually

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide information about traditional and nontraditional Medicare and other health insurance options such as Medicaid, Medigap, and long term care insurance.
• Conduct individual health insurance counseling sessions by phone or in person.
• Assist with health insurance claims filing, review Medicare Service Notices and provider bills as requested.
• Provide informal claim and appeals advocacy as requested. 

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Position:  Medicare Part C/D Counselor

Purpose of Position:  Provide information and counseling about Medicare managed care (Part C) and prescription drug plans (Part D).

Training required:  8 hours Part C/D training annually

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provides information about Medicare Part C (Medicare Managed Care) and Part D (Prescription Drug Insurance)
• Conduct individual health insurance counseling sessions using the Medicare Plan Finder.
• Provide informal claim and appeals advocacy as requested.

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Position:  Call Center Operator

(available only to volunteers in the Wichita, Lawrence and Topeka areas)

Purpose of Position:  Answer the statewide SHICK hotline and refer callers to appropriate area coordinators for assistance.

Training required:  Minimum of 8 hours initial Call Center training; 4 hours of AEP training annually; information updates as required 

Specific Responsibilities:

• Answer calls to the toll-free SHICK hotline.
• Participate in information update sessions as requested.

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Position: Education and Outreach Volunteer

Purpose of Position:  Provide Medicare information to the public through various means, including public speaking and participation in community events

Prerequisite:  Certification as Comprehensive Medicare Counselor

Training required:  28 hours initial training, 12 hours update training annually, plus additional specialist training

Specific Responsibilities:

• Actively increase community awareness of SHICK by conducting presentations at meetings and community events.
• Provide information to the community about current issues affecting Medicarie beneficiaries.
• Coordinate scheduled speaking engagements and availability for future events with the local SHICK Coordinator.
• Use materials provided by the state SHICK office for all presentations.
• Complete Public and Media Activity Form for all presentations.

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with PowerPoint software
• Experience in public speaking, teaching, or training

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Position: Office Assistant

Purpose of Position: Provide administrative support, including data entry and other clerical duties.

Training required:  Orientation training with SHICK Coordinator, completion of SHICK privacy training

Specific Responsibilities:

• Assist with data entry activities as requested by Coordinator.
• Assist with setting up client appointments.
• Help with organizational activities such as stuffing packets and making copies of training and outreach materials.
• Other administrative support as needed.