Benefits Specialist I

Since its founding in 1972, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) has emerged as a cutting-edge provider in the field of integrated behavioral health care. Using innovation and a long-term vision, TTC has combined typical alcohol and drug treatment services with medical care, mental health, housing, case management and HIV/AIDS services to form an integrated delivery system that has set the standard that other organizations emulate.

Position Title: Benefits Specialist I

Department: All Sites

Reports To: As assigned by Program Director

Transitional Housing Manager providing services to program participants.

SALARY RANGE

$26 - $34 per hour DOE

We offer a competitive benefits package:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Care Plan
• Life Insurance
• Paid Holidays (12)
• Paid Vacation Time
• Sick Time
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Competitive wages
• Stability and career advancement
• Continuing Education Opportunities

8 per Day / 5 Days per Week

***Position is Tuesday - Saturday***

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.
12. 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.
13. Provides regular, comprehensive progress note charting in the client’s record which documents contacts, progress towards goals identified in the BSP, program participation, referrals, application assistance, discharge planning and other Benefit Specialty activities.
14. Performs other duties as assigned by Director, Program Supervisor and/or Administration.
15. Motivates clients to adhere to Transitional Housing Program policies and guidelines.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES (HIV programs):

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.

Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. is a non-profit corporation, which provides behavioral healthcare services, including chemical dependency.

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

Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc. supports the American 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.

Addendum for HIV Services

Additional Duties:

1. Performs comprehensive patient assessments and on-going re-assessments during incarceration and post-release.
2. Develops a comprehensive service plan for each patient with review/revisions as needed, based on patient eligibility and re-assessment.
3. Provides patients with successful linkage to appropriate community services and maintains follow-up.
4. Maintains accurate and confidential patient records, including necessary paperwork, assessments, service plans, progress notes, linkages, interventions, referrals, correspondence and phone logs.
5. Establishes and maintains active working relationships with resources in both the public and private benefits arena and assistant programs and systems.
6. Establishes and keeps current a resource file/directory of information regarding available programs, services, contact persons and avenues of access in the community and current trends of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS.
7. Attends community and agency meetings as required.
8. Assists with orienting new Case Managers to program’s policies and procedures.
9. Develops and submits accurate reports regarding program activities, patient’s served, caseload and other information as needed.
10. Utilizes independence within the institutions or patient’s home when arranging for patient interviews, taking into consideration jail/prison field protocol, safety issues and special circumstances.
11. Promotes TCMP management throughout LA County, solicits and assess patient’s interest in program participation and assures that patients meet the eligibility criteria as specified by the California Office of AIDS and/or OAPP.

Additional Requirements for HIV Services:

• Security clearance as appropriate
• Ability to work independently without daily supervision

All of this means that TTC is a great place to work for both treatment providers and support staff. In addition to career benefits, we offer a great package that includes medical, vision, dental, retirement, paid time off, and staff recognition. This comes from leadership that values both patients and staff, which kept our doors safely open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.