Region – The SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) program is seeking certified volunteer counselors to help seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare to understand the many and increasingly complex insurance options available to them.
Through an intensive training program, SHINE counselors become certified to explain health insurance options. They work one-on-one with Medicare beneficiaries to educate, answer questions, solve problems, and screen for low-income programs that help with healthcare costs.
SHINE counselors are expected to work an average of five to six hours per week meeting with clients and doing necessary follow-up work. They generally counsel at senior centers or other public settings that have a private meeting space. Counselors must also attend monthly meetings where they receive ongoing training, support and opportunities to share their experiences and concerns with other counselors. Knowledge of computers is required. Bilingual, bicultural and minority individuals are encouraged to apply.
The spring SHINE training will begin mid-April and run for two days per week over a six-week period. For more information about becoming a SHINE counselor, call Dorene Nemeth, MetroWest Regional SHINE director at 508-532-5980, ext. 4109.
SHINE is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with councils on aging, aging services access points, and other local agencies.
