IPS Benefits Specialist

This is responsible, professional work in the field of mental health. Employees in this position are responsible for providing comprehensive and personalized benefits counseling including: eligibility assessment, intake, and referral services, helping consumers access and obtain understandable and accurate information about government entitlements and other sources of income, recommending and facilitating use of work incentives to support consumers’ employment choices, providing information about how benefits may be impacted by employment, and informing and guiding the plan for starting work and over time for making decisions about changes in wages and work hours.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Discover and develop information about community resources, networks, advocacy groups and non-profit providers to assist consumers with implementing work incentives.

Develop and conduct community work incentive seminars, workshops, or other outreach, education or training activities in order to present information to consumers or professional organizations regarding work incentives and the services provided through Carastar’s Supported Employment-IPS program.

Assess consumers’ financial resources to determine the need to apply for benefits.

Provide information about consumers’ total income based upon part-time or full-time work.

Assist consumers in completing applications to secure benefits.

Assist consumers in obtaining documentation required for applications to Social Security Administration and other agencies.

Advocate on behalf of consumers with the Social Security Administration office and other agencies.

Effectively utilize the SOAR (Situation Obstacle Action Results) system.

Track status of consumer benefit applications.

Provide information about the effect of work on a spouse’s or dependent child’s benefits.

Ensure that the Accounting department and treatment team are knowledgeable of the status of benefits Maintain updates in the Electronic Health Record.

Assist consumers with developing plans to exit benefit systems.

Ensure matching of appropriate services for multiple consumers in caseload.

Identify goals and plans for appropriate services.

Provide appropriate linkage to community resources.

Advocate on behalf of the consumer to secure community resources.

Effectively collaborate with the treatment team members and outside sources in the delivery of case management services.

Evaluate the consumer for discharge planning.

Complete reports and documentation required for client records, as well as all forms or paperwork required by the Agency.

Seek clinical supervision and consultation as needed.

Accept and employ suggestions for improvement.

Actively work to enhance case management skills. 

Maintain confidential files containing required information for each supported employment consumer. 

Maintain documentation for those individuals receiving services.

Provide timely documentation that meets requirements of various funding sources including Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid, and others.

Assist consumers and visitors as needed.

Activity participate in performance improvement activities.

Actively participate in Carastar’s committees as required.

Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.

Follow Carastar’s policies and procedures.

Attend required meetings, in-service trainings, and workshops.

Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

 

REQUIREMENTS:

Treat consumers with care, dignity, and compassion.

Respect consumers’ privacy and confidentiality.

Maintain a pleasant and cooperative attitude with others.

Ensure personal values do not inhibit ability to relate and care for others.

Show sensitivity to the consumers’ needs, expectations and individual differences.

Remain gentle and calm with consumers and families.

Demonstrate superior organizational skills and attention to detail.

Demonstrate ability to manage multiple high priority tasks and meet frequent deadlines; possess and use excellent time management skills.

Demonstrate good math skills and deductive ability.

Demonstrate computer proficiency – use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook) as well as web-based database and other applications as required.

Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills; must be able to accurately relay technical information to beneficiaries and their families in verbal and written format.

Demonstrate good interviewing skills, both over the phone and in person.

Ability to make clear and pertinent statements orally and in writing.

Successful completion of the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) approved case management program, Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) training, and Social Security Administration and Virginia Commonwealth University certification

Knowledge of adult specialties listed below to be attained within (6) months of employment.

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population.

• Knowledge of cultural diversity.

• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles.

• Knowledge of available community resources.

• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with psychiatric disorders.

• Knowledge of disability terminology.

• Knowledge of employment support provisions such as Ticket to Work, Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA), Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS), Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE), Trial Work Periods (TWP), Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), Business Expenses, and Substantial Gainful Activity for Self-Employment (SGA).

• Knowledge of the eligibility, application, claims, and retention processes for benefit resources such as Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans Affairs, private insurance, EBT, housing subsidies, medication subsidies, spouse and dependent children’s benefits, and previous job retirement benefits.

• Knowledge of the SOAR/Situation Obstacle Action Results (SSI/Supplemental Security Income, SSDI/Social Security Disability Income  Outreach, Access, & Recovery) system.

• Reliable transportation and willingness to transport clients.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in behavioral science or related field from a recognized college or university plus 2 years of experience in a mental health or vocational rehabilitation field.

Experience providing employment services preferred. 

Ability to remain organized, professional, and to work independently. 

Must hold a valid driver's license and maintain a driving record that is acceptable to Carastar's insurance carrier.

Must maintain at least liability coverage on personal vehicles.