Intake Specialist Full-time

Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery•Swissvale, PA

1d•$21 - $25•Hybrid

About The Position

The Intake Specialist is the first point of contact for people seeking treatment and recovery services through POWER, a mission-driven nonprofit supporting women with substance use and co-occurring disorders. The role coordinates referrals, preliminary screenings, assessment scheduling, admissions, and client follow-up to promote timely access to care and continuity of services. It provides a welcoming, compassionate, and professional experience while helping clients navigate treatment options and admission requirements. The position maintains relationships with referral partners and coordinates with clinical, medical, residential, and administrative teams. It also maintains accurate intake documentation and data, protects confidentiality, and supports compliance with agency policies and applicable regulations. This is a full-time, non-exempt position. A hybrid schedule may be available based on operational needs; regular business hours apply, with occasional evening hours and on-site presence as needed.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least two years of experience in substance use disorder treatment, behavioral health, healthcare admissions, intake coordination, case management, or a related field.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, electronic health record systems, SharePoint, and other business applications.
Knowledge of confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA regulations.
Strong customer service, communication, organizational, and time-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Act 73, 33, and 34 Clearances, required for all POWER positions.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, Psychology, Healthcare Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
Pennsylvania Certification Board credential or ability to obtain a certification such as Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS).
Experience in substance use disorder treatment, medication-assisted treatment, residential treatment, or behavioral health settings.
Knowledge of ASAM Criteria and behavioral health levels of care.
Experience in a women-centered treatment environment.
Knowledge of gender-responsive, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented care practices.
Familiarity with motivational interviewing and engagement strategies.
Personal knowledge of recovery support systems and community resources.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain relationships with referral sources, healthcare providers, community agencies, criminal justice partners, and other stakeholders.
Respond to referral inquiries and treatment access requests, and educate partners about POWER programs, eligibility, services, and admission processes.
Participate in outreach and maintain knowledge of community resources and treatment options.
Conduct telephone, virtual, and in-person screening interviews to identify treatment needs and urgency.
Gather preliminary demographic, clinical, insurance, and referral information.
Identify individuals requiring immediate intervention and connect them with appropriate services.
Schedule assessments with designated clinicians, communicate appointment details, and send reminders and follow-up communications.
Use motivational engagement techniques to encourage treatment participation and reduce barriers to care.
Support the assessment specialist team with documentation and communication.
Coordinate admissions across POWER programs and verify required documentation, consents, releases, and supporting records.
Collaborate with clinical, medical, residential, and administrative teams to facilitate admissions.
Coordinate transfers and referrals to external providers when needs fall outside POWER's scope of care.
Track admission status, waitlists, and referral outcomes.
Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the electronic health record and other required systems.
Comply with agency policies, confidentiality requirements, HIPAA regulations, DDAP standards, licensing requirements, and accreditation expectations.
Maintain referral, screening, and admissions data for reporting and quality improvement.
Protect client privacy and confidentiality in communications and documentation.
Welcome individuals seeking treatment and help them navigate treatment options, admission requirements, and program expectations.
Follow up on missed appointments and no-show assessments to support engagement in care.
Provide compassionate, trauma-informed interactions that reflect POWER's values and mission.