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Hospital Elder Life Program Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Make a Difference The Elder Life Specialist (ELS) is an integral member of the Geriatric Evaluation Management (GEM) team in operating the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). The ELS evaluates and ...

(HELP) Program Assistant

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$36K - $46K/yr

Overview The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) Program Assistant is an integral HELP Team member and provides administrative clerical, as well as clinical duties, to support the daily operations of ...

Geriatrician

Portland, ME · On-site

$250K/yr

This includes participating in the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), which has been present at Maine Medical Center for over 20 years and has carried the Site of Excellence designation for over 10 ...

This includes participating in the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), which has been present at Maine Medical Center for over 20 years and has carried the Site of Excellence designation for over 10 ...

Geriatrician

Portland, ME · On-site

$250K/yr

This includes participating in the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), which has been present at Maine Medical Center for over 20 years and has carried the Site of Excellence designation for over 10 ...

... Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP, and specifically includes caregivers. Effectiveness will be evaluated using state-of-the-art implementation science. HELP is a successful and evidence-based ...

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Hospital Elder Life Program information

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$21.5K

$45.7K

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How much do hospital elder life program jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for hospital elder life program in the United States is $45,721.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $47,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP)?

The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is a comprehensive, evidence-based program designed to prevent delirium and functional decline in hospitalized older adults. It involves a multidisciplinary team, including nurses, physicians, and trained volunteers, who implement targeted interventions to address risk factors such as immobility, sleep deprivation, dehydration, and cognitive impairment. The goal of HELP is to improve outcomes for elderly patients by maintaining their cognitive and physical functioning during hospital stays. This program has been widely adopted in hospitals to enhance the quality of care for older patients.

What are the typical daily responsibilities for a Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) coordinator?

As a Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) coordinator, your daily responsibilities include overseeing the implementation of interventions designed to prevent delirium and functional decline in hospitalized older adults. You will train and supervise volunteers, collaborate closely with nursing and interdisciplinary teams, and conduct patient assessments to identify risk factors. The role also involves frequent communication with families and care providers, as well as monitoring program outcomes to ensure high-quality care. Adaptability and strong organizational skills are essential, as you’ll often balance multiple tasks in a busy hospital environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) coordinator?

To thrive as a Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) Coordinator, you need a background in nursing, social work, or gerontology, with experience in elderly patient care and program management. Familiarity with electronic health records, patient assessment tools, and HELP-specific protocols is typically required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational skills are crucial for training volunteers and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure effective implementation of interventions that reduce delirium and improve outcomes for hospitalized older adults.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Hospital Elder Life Program jobs?

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What are popular job titles for Hospital Elder Life Program?

Popular job titles for Hospital Elder Life Program:

Infographic showing various Hospital Elder Life Program job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,721 per year, or $22 per hour.

Hospital Elder Life Program Assistant

Des Moines, IA • On-site

UnityPoint Health
Hospitals • 10K+ employees

$36K - $46K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


UnityPoint Health rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 368 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Overview

The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) Program Assistant is an integral HELP Team member and provides administrative clerical, as well as clinical duties, to support the daily operations of the Hospital Elder Life Program. The HELP Program Assistant is responsible for screening for and enrolling patients appropriate for HELP services; assisting with volunteer orientation and continuing education; marketing and outreach for HELP; participates in conducting the Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT); maintaining the HELP office space, supplies, and equipment; collecting, entering, and mining HELP patient data; providing HELP interventions to patients; and performing other duties as assigned by the HELP Coordinator.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

  • Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   
  • Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  
  • Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.  

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health. 

Responsibilities

The Hospital Elder Life Program Assistant supports both the clinical and administrative operations of the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), helping improve the well-being of older adult patients while coordinating program activities and volunteer engagement.

Clinical & Patient Care (50%)

  • Provide direct support and interventions for patients enrolled in HELP.
  • Promote patient mobility, cognitive engagement, comfort, and functional well-being.
  • Assist patients with mobility, activities, meals, and relaxation interventions.
  • Collaborate with nurses, volunteers, and other care team members to support patient needs.
  • Follow safety, infection prevention, and patient handling practices.
  • Support scheduling and delivery of the Virtual Dementia Tour educational program.

Administrative Support (25%)

  • Support daily HELP program operations.
  • Screen and enroll eligible patients into the program.
  • Maintain patient records, care plans, patient lists, and program data in the EMR and other systems.
  • Coordinate communication among patients, volunteers, and HELP team members.
  • Manage program supplies, equipment, and resources.
  • Assist with outreach, recruitment, and marketing activities.

Volunteer Development & Education (25%)

  • Assist with volunteer orientation, training, and continuing education.
  • Support volunteer competency validation and compliance requirements.
  • Maintain communication with volunteers and help coordinate schedules.
  • Contribute to volunteer recruitment and engagement efforts to ensure adequate program coverage.

Additional Expectations

  • Collect, enter, and analyze program and patient data.
  • Maintain HIPAA compliance and regulatory standards.
  • Demonstrate strong communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
  • Support UnityPoint Health values and provide compassionate, patient-centered service
Qualifications

Education

  • High school diploma or GED required.
Experience
  • Prior healthcare clinical and support experience is required.
  • Experience working with older adults (65+) preferred.
Certifications
  • Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or obtain certification within three (3) months from date of hire.
  • Mandatory reporter training for child abuse and dependent adult abuse required based on state regulations.
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification preferred. 
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. 
  • Knowledge of medical terminology. 
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities and organizational needs.
  • Knowledge of Epic or other electronic medical record (EMR) systems preferred.

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About UnityPoint Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At UnityPoint Health, we provide care in nine regions throughout Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. As the nation's fourth largest nondenominational health system in America, UnityPoint Health keeps people at the center of all we do. We are looking for dynamic and talented individuals to join our team. You'll find opportunities for every sized dream.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

West Des Moines, IA, US