IPS Supported Employment Benefits Specialist - 3624

Indian Rivers Behavioral Health•Tuscaloosa, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The IPS Supported Employment Benefits Specialist assesses clients’ financial resources and eligibility for benefits and helps them apply for and maintain access to benefits. The role provides information about income from part-time or full-time employment and how work may affect a spouse’s or dependent child’s benefits. It includes gathering application documentation, advocating with the Social Security Administration and other agencies, tracking applications using the SOAR/Situational Obstacle Action Results System, and connecting clients with appropriate agency and community resources. The specialist collaborates with treatment teams and external partners, completes timely and accurate documentation and data entry, participates in treatment team meetings, provides consultation and education, and conducts outreach that may include home visits. The position may involve transporting clients in a company or personal vehicle and requires vehicle inspections and maintenance reporting. The employee must uphold client dignity, privacy, safety, ethical standards, HIPAA requirements, agency policies, and applicable Department of Mental Health standards. Work is performed in a general office environment and outpatient facilities, with physical presence onsite essential; long hours may be required, and some risk may arise from aggressive or out-of-control clients.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Current Alabama driver’s license and a good driving record as defined by Indian Rivers’ policy.
Ability to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
In-depth knowledge of financial resources, healthcare benefits, and community resources available to clients.
Competent math skills.
Ability to work effectively within the agency and cooperatively with other program staff.
Ability to meet State training requirements for delivering services to the agency’s target populations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to organize and prioritize a variety of tasks.
Ability to understand and maintain program standards.
Knowledge of cultural diversity.
Competent computer skills.
Ability to perform the primary duties satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Knowledge of and compliance with HIPAA regulations for protected health information.
Ability to use sensory skills to communicate and interact effectively with employees and the public by telephone and in person.
Physical capability to operate office equipment such as a computer, copier, multi-line phone, and fax machine.
Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation; hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
Ability to work onsite in office and outpatient settings and to manage some risk involving aggressive or out-of-control clients.

Responsibilities

Treat clients with care, dignity, respect, and compassion, and protect their privacy and confidentiality.
Implement assigned duties according to Department of Mental Health standards and applicable agency policies and procedures.
Assess clients’ financial resources to determine need and eligibility for benefits.
Explain clients’ total income based on part-time or full-time employment and provide information about how work may affect a spouse’s or dependent child’s benefits.
Help clients complete benefit applications and obtain supporting documentation for the Social Security Administration and other agencies.
Advocate for clients with the Social Security Administration and other agencies.
Use the SOAR/Situational Obstacle Action Results System and track the status of clients’ benefits applications.
Link clients to appropriate agency and community resources, including when an intervention is outside the department’s scope of services.
Collaborate with treatment team members and outside sources in delivering case management services.
Complete documentation within established timeframes and maintain complete, accurate data in AVATAR.
Attend and actively participate in assigned treatment team meetings.
Promote client safety and preserve clients’ basic human and legal rights.
Respond to calls and other communications in a timely manner and demonstrate professional, ethical conduct.
Provide consultation and education to the general public as needed, including information about mental health and substance use services to support appropriate referrals.
Transport clients in a company vehicle when available, operate vehicles safely, and notify appropriate staff of accidents or service needs.
Complete agency vehicle pre-trip inspections and monthly maintenance checks and submit documentation to the supervisor and Facilities Manager.
Use a personal vehicle for work duties if an agency vehicle is unavailable; mileage is reimbursed.
Provide community outreach services, which may include home visits, as required by the supervisor or program standards.
Provide or arrange in-service training programs as needed.
Meet or exceed monthly billable-hour productivity requirements established by the Department Manager.
Represent the organization accurately and professionally and stay informed about organizational communications and events.
Work independently or with teams to complete assignments accurately and on time with minimum supervision.
Support the organization’s Code of Conduct, standards compliance, HIPAA, and security programs; identify and report noncompliance and maintain required training.
Follow attendance, punctuality, leave, safety, health, and injury-reporting policies, including maintaining current TB testing, CPR/First Aid, and CPI requirements.
Identify opportunities to improve the quality of department and organizational services.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor or Executive Director.