Benefits Specialist I

Position Title: Benefits Specialist I

Department: CD3

Reports To: As Assigned by Program Director

POSITION SUMMARY

Provides Benefits Specialty services to clients assigned to individual caseload.

HOURS

8 per Day / 5 Days per Week

Benefits Package 

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Care Plan
• Life Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Vacation Time
• Sick Time
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Competitive wages
• Stability and career advancement
• Continuing Education Opportunities

GENERAL DUTIES

1. Conducts self in a professional manner in areas of dress, language, attitude and behavior.
2. Exhibits full knowledge and support of the philosophy and objectives of Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. (TTC).
3. Fully understands and maintains policies regarding professional ethics, including client confidentiality practices, and HIPPA regulations. Safeguards a client’s right to confidentiality within the limits of the law.
4. Inform clients about other services offered by TTC that may be appropriate for the client and or the client’s family members.
5. Attends in-services trainings and educational workshops and completes the minimum yearly training requirements. Strives to maintain and improve professional knowledge, skills, and abilities. Represents TTC appropriately at community meetings and Tasks Forces.
6. Attends all required staff and team meetings.
7. Evaluates a clients progress (or lack thereof) on a continuous basis in order to guide service delivery. Cooperates and communicates fully with other staff on the treatment team regarding client behavior and progress activities.
8. Works closely with the assigned client and or with other multi-disciplinary team members (as appropriate) to develop a comprehensive Benefits Service Plan (BSP) and ensures that all identified problems are addressed.
9. Is responsible for providing advice, referrals, and other assistance necessary to carry out the BSP after it has been developed. Bases all services on a truthful assessment of a client’s situation and maintains follow-ups.
10. Provides clients with referrals outside the Benefits Specialty scope of work, such as Case Management, Mental Health, Medical, Housing Case Management, and ensures that those referrals are successfully linked.
11. Facilitates discharge-planning efforts, commencing at time of admission on all assigned clients, including aftercare, etc.

1. Serves as a client liaison within the agency and with outside entities as needed, in order to facilitate in the resolution of legal, financial, housing, medical, psychiatric and discharge planning issues.
2. Provides regular, comprehensive progress note charting in the client’s record which documents contacts, progress towards goals indentified in the BSP, program participation, referrals, application assistance, discharge planning and other Benefit Specialty activities.
3. Performs other duties as assigned by Director, Program Supervisor and/or Administration.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES (HIV programs):

1. Respects the inherent dignity of each person living with HIV they serve. Services will be client driven, aiming to increase a client’s sense of empowerment and self advocacy. 

EXPERIENCE (all programs)

BA/BS/BSW degree in an area of human services and/or certification in self-insurance liability; OR a high school diploma (or GED equivalent) and at least one year experience as a Benefits Specialist/Case Manager, OR have worked at least three years within a related health services field and assisted clients with accessing public benefits and entitlement programs.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES (all programs)

1. Expected to obtain program specific enrollment worker status or certification within three (3) months of being hired unless indicated otherwise by the program’s Director.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES (HIV programs)

1. Expected to successfully complete the Office of AIDS Program and Policy (OAPP) Benefits Specialty Certification Training Program within three months of being hired. In addition, Specialist will successfully complete certification in CARE/HIPP and ADAP within six (6) months of being hired, as well as any requisite training as appropriate unless indicated otherwise by the program’s Director.

SETTING

Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. is a non-profit organization, providing behavioral healthcare services including chemical dependency and mental health services.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. does not discriminate as to race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation and disability in its hiring practices.

ADA REQUIREMENT

Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Discrimination is prohibited in all aspects of employment against disabled persons, who, with reasonable accommodations, can perform the essential functions of a job.