Important notice: SalusCare, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, marital or veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. SalusCare, Incis a drug free workplace and adheres to the drug free workplace program as outlined under Florida worker’s compensation law. All applicants being considered for employment will be required to undergo a drug screen. Refusal to submit or positive results of the test will prohibit you from being offered employment. To read more about EEO, view the EEO is the Law poster and this EEO is the Law Poster Supplement Start Over with Job Search Returning Applicant?  Login Now Benefits Application Assistant Job Code: 22-110-004 Campus/Location: Ortiz Campus FT/PT Status: FT Work Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM     Job Responsibilities: Benefits Specialist will assist individuals involved in SalusCare programs with completing the processes and procedures necessary to gain financial benefits provided by State and Federal government as applicable. The Benefits Specialist will complete the following:       1. Effectively work with individuals with mental health and/or co-occurring substance abuse diagnosis to gain financial benefits. 2. Efficiently complete research on Social Security Administration programs, Department of Children and Families, Department of Human Services, Medicaid, Medicare and other state and federal organizations to gain knowledge on the available financial resources and benefits for individuals.  3. Specifically focuses attention on learning and being proficient in educating and facilitating the  SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and is a national program designed to increase access to the disability income benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for eligible adults and children who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder.   4. Continuously facilitates, access and direct the process of applying for social security, cash assistance and patient assistance programs to assist individuals gain financial independence. 5. Diligently works with psychiatrists, primary care physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, educational and vocational training facilities to gather pertinent records and needed to complete the application process for benefits. 6. Efficiently obtains all required release of information forms to facilitate the process of accessing, reviewing and releasing information as required.    7. Consistently maintains confidential information within guidelines established by HIPPA Confidentiality Policy.   8. Openly collaborates and maintains positive communication with stakeholders, community partners and other agencies to build resource network and relationships.  9. Routinely completes chart reviews, intake assessments, service plans and ongoing documentation in electronic health record.   10. Consistently makes referrals to appropriate community resources and/or United Way 2-1-1 as  needed 11. Regularly provide or assist with arranging transportation to appointments  12. Effectively demonstrates and models attitudes and knowledge consistent with co-occurring best practices and communicates in a culturally sensitive manner during advocacy and care. 13. Independently manages daily schedule by prioritizing work responsibilities and individual consumer needs.  14. Continuously maintains a minimum productivity level of 1,472 hours of direct service annually.   15. Consistently complies with mandates of: CARF, AHCA, Substance Abuse, Mental Health and SalusCare policies and procedures and routinely demonstrates a sound understanding of commitment to compliance with standards.  16. Effectively maintains complete tracking logs, database, mileage logs, and other internal record keeping procedures.  17. Continuously demonstrates and models attitudes and knowledge consistent with co-occurring best-practice standards. 18. Reliably completes all documentation requirements per SalusCare procedures and program requirements.  19. Completes Shelter and Self-Declaration Letters in an accurate and timely manner.  20. Routinely demonstrates good attendance and reliability by doing the following: consistently reports to work on time; reliable work performance; no abuse of leave/PTO policy; adequately plans leave and makes every effort to cover responsibilities in exigencies and coordinates training/workshops/meetings with supervisor as necessary.   21. Constantly maintains compliance with staff development training requirements.  Utilizes staff training opportunities to enhance skills needed for delivery of patient services.   22. Successfully completes other related duties as assigned by supervisor. Job Qualifications: Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in a human services field OR Associates degree in a human services field and 1 year of experience working with adults with a mental health and/or co-occurring substance abuse issues OR High School Diploma plus 2 years of direct care experience with adults with a mental health and/or co-occurring substance abuse issues. Requires a valid Florida driver’s license, current auto insurance, a reliable vehicle and a good driving history.  Computer skills in Windows operating systems required.  Must be able to effectively communicate with individuals of varying populations and environments and sensitive to different cultural backgrounds. Must complete the SOARS (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) training and obtain certification within 3 months from employment start date. Must be able to attain competency with company electronic health record and use it effectively within required time frames.