Sometimes we know exactly what we want to do when we grow up and sometimes finding our future career is a journey. Lisa Losen, Home Care Aide Manager, knew exactly what she wanted to do.

Losen started her professional career at the University of Dubuque where she obtained her degree in Social Work and received certification as a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW). "I knew I wanted to become a social worker when I started college," Losen said. "I love being able to work and help others." After college, Losen accepted her first job at Vera French Mental Health Center in Scott County where she was employed as a Case Manager. "At Vera French, I was responsible for coordinating services for our chronically mentally ill adult clients." She noted. "Services included maintaining their living, work environments and helping with financial benefits and all things that encompass their daily life." As a case manager, she was also responsible for each care plan and monitoring any changes to improve or modify the plan.

In 1995, Losen moved to Mason City as a case manager for the Board of Health. As a case manager, she had a lot of the same responsibilities as she did in her previous position. Losen coordinated client benefits and provided assistance with daily living responsibilities, which sometimes included making referrals for jobs or nursing referrals. In 1996, Case Management fell under the Board of Supervisors. That same year, Losen took on a new role as Home Care Aide Manager and moved to the Family and Community Health Service Section for the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health.

As the Home Care Aide Manager, Losen is responsible for hiring, training and supervising 10 Home Care Aides and one Administrative Aide. This is the largest service section at the Health Department. One part of her responsibilities at the Health Department is to do intake assessments with the clients, in which she meets with our new clients to assess their needs. "When we first take on a client, I meet with them to understand and determine their needs to create a needs plan," She stated. "Sometimes our clients need our help on a weekly basis with personal care and sometimes they need to be seen once a week to help with their laundry or groceries." In addition to the initial meeting, Losen meets with our clients every six months to reassess and re-advise their needs plan. "We do this to see if their needs have changed or if we can help with additional resources," Losen said. "We can help our clients with Meals on Wheels services, telephone reassurance or other services our community provides residents of the county."

The Home Care Aides provide services to over 100 county residents and their tasks range from helping with light housekeeping to daily baths. Each Home Care Aide needs to complete a 75 hour Certified Nursing Aide class prior to employment at the Health Department. Once hired, the Home Care Aides also complete a 13 hour course required by the Iowa Department of Public Health. "We provide a wide range of services to our clients because it is our mission to keep them in their home as long as possible," Losen states.

"As the Home Care Aide Manager, I love the opportunity to get out and meet our new clients," she said. Losen believes another benefit to working at the Health Department, especially in the Family and Community Health Service Section, is the relationship between the Home Care Aides and the Public Health Nurses. "We are office based, which means our nurses and aides get one-on-one interaction about clients and our services." She said. "It's nice to be a part of a great team." However, with the positives does come some challenges. "We are faced with the instability of our funding services and each year our costs increase and reimbursements decrease. Yet, Losen believes there will always be a need for Home Care Aide services. "Our aging and chronically ill population creates a strong demand for our services," Losen said. "Most people who need some care prefer the familiar surroundings of home to an institution." She also believes the future for the Health Department looks bright. "We will always be adapting to the needs of our clients whether it be home care or immunization needs," she noted.

We're glad that Lisa Losen knew she wanted to work in the helping profession because her expertise and experience has successfully helped Cerro Gordo residents for many years!