Benefits Specialist

We are growing expanding and hiring, and offering a sign-on bonus.

Hope Cooperative is searching for a Benefits Resource Specialist.

Description:  

The Benefits Resource Specialist will serve as a member of a multi- disciplinary team to assist in coordinating and providing services and resources to program clients. The Benefits Resource Specialist will assist clients in attaining and maintaining any and all service entitlements to which they may be eligible. This includes, but is not limited to, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), General Assistance (GA), Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered California, Healthy Families, Veteran’s  benefits, Vocational  services, Housing Support services, and Educational services. This position will work in collaboration with the Personal Service Coordinators (PSC), provide additional support to clients and work with the PSCs to ensure quality and complete charts.

We are looking for dynamic, committed individuals to join our team. If you want to be part of the solution to solving homelessness in our community, we are looking for your talent and expertise as we transform and empower the lives of people with mental illness by supporting independence and preventing homelessness. We are a highly respected, award-winning provider of a full array of mental health and supportive housing services in Sacramento and Yolo Counties, and we need you to bring your compassion and support to the most vulnerable in our community.

At Hope Cooperative we’re committed to the happiness and well-being of our employees, and aim to create a workplace that fosters both personal and professional growth. 

This position is a full-time, non-exempt position starting at $21.85 and may require working some evening and weekend schedules.   

HOPE Cooperative (aka TLCS, Inc.) offers a competitive benefit package consisting of, but not limited to, the following, and may be subject to change:

• 21 PTO days year (4 weeks/1 day)
• 26 PTO days after 5^th year (5 weeks / 1 day) 
• 6 days paid sick time 
• 9 paid holidays
• Personal Days (Floating Holidays)
• Employer paid health insurance for employee and children
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401k match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Regular hourly wage step scale increases
• Flexible start/end times for some positions
• iPhone with unlimited data for personal/profession use and laptop for some positions 
• Clinical Supervision towards licensure (for certain positions and upon approval)
• CEU days for certain positions 
• Free CEU’s for certain positions
• Annual BBQ and staff appreciation awards
• Annual Gift Card Program
• Referral Bonuses
• Transfer Sick Time Hours to PTO Hours
• PTO Cash Out
• Voluntary Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Disability Insurance and more.  

* All benefit offerings are subject to change and are governed by the eligibility guidelines in the Employee Handbook.  This list represents a general summary of available benefits and nothing stated here should be interpreted as being included in a written offer for employment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Support clients and/or family members with active listening, demonstration of empathy and carry a message of hope and recovery and empower clients in meeting their identified goals.
2. Collaborate with Personal Service Coordinators, Team Coordinators, Clinicians and Medical staff in coordinating and providing services for clients.
3. Observe, assess, intervene and refer (within one’s scope of practice) in situations with clients regarding mental health symptoms, physical health symptoms and substance use issues.
4. Assist in linking clients and/or family members with resources in the community per the client plan.
5. Support clients and/or family members with active listening, demonstration of empathy and carry a message of hope and recovery and empower clients in meeting their identified goals.
6. Collaborate with Personal Service Coordinators, Team Coordinators, Clinicians and Medical staff in coordinating and providing services for clients.
7. Observe, assess, intervene and refer (within one’s scope of practice) in situations with clients regarding mental health symptoms, physical health symptoms and substance use issues.
8. Assist in linking clients and/or family members with resources in the community per the client plan.
9. Assist clients in developing and following a wellness plan unique to their needs and desires.
10. Assist member with various independent living skills: house cleaning, laundry, food preparation, hygiene, yard work, budgeting money, shopping, medication management and safety.
11. Provide/Assist the clients with transportation in personal vehicle as necessary.
12. Meet with clients and/or family members in the community and their homes, and attend meetings to ensure continuity of care for clients.
13. Provide positive public relations, community referrals, information and support by linking clients to needed resources; advocate with and on behalf of clients and significant support persons the clients have identified.
14. Facilitate planning of social, cultural, educational, supportive and recreational group activities.
15. Accurately complete all necessary forms, reports and paperwork required by the program on a timely basis (e.g., progress notes, special incident reports, discharge summaries, Medi-Cal billing, Avatar forms).
16. Act as a designated Mandated Reporter for the observed or suspected abuse and/or neglect of children, disabled individuals, dependent adults and elder/senior citizens. Mandated Reporter also includes “Duty to Warn” which includes the responsibility to notify authorities and the intended victim(s) of physical harm.
17. Ensure the protection and confidentiality of all Protected Health Information (PHI) by following all policies and procedures in the AGENCY HIPAA Manual.

Assist clients in developing and following a wellness plan unique to their needs and desires.

1. Assist member with various independent living skills: house cleaning, laundry, food preparation, hygiene, yard work, budgeting money, shopping, medication management and safety.
2. Provide/Assist the clients with transportation in personal vehicle as necessary.
3. Meet with clients and/or family members in the community and their homes, and attend meetings to ensure continuity of care for clients.
4. Provide positive public relations, community referrals, information and support by linking clients to needed resources; advocate with and on behalf of clients and significant support persons the clients have identified.
5. Facilitate planning of social, cultural, educational, supportive and recreational group activities.
6. Accurately complete all necessary forms, reports and paperwork required by the program on a timely basis (e.g., progress notes, special incident reports, discharge summaries, Medi-Cal billing, Avatar forms).
7. Act as a designated Mandated Reporter for the observed or suspected abuse and/or neglect of children, disabled individuals, dependent adults and elder/senior citizens. Mandated Reporter also includes “Duty to Warn” which includes the responsibility to notify authorities and the intended victim(s) of physical harm.
8. Ensure the protection and confidentiality of all Protected Health Information (PHI) by following all policies and procedures in the AGENCY HIPAA Manual.

Education and/or Experience: 

• Must meet the qualifications of a Mental Health Assistant III (MHA III).  Individual must have:

1. A minimum of four (4) years of full-time equivalent (FTE) direct care experience in the mental health field providing mental health services; OR
2. Two (2) years of FTE direct care experience in a mental health related field providing mental health services and two years of education (60 semester or 90 quarter units) with a minimum of 12 semesters (18 quarter units) in a mental health related subject such as child development, social work, human behavior, rehabilitation, psychology or alcohol and drug counseling; OR
3. Two (2) years FTE direct care experience in a mental health related field providing direct mental health services and a certificate of completion from the County Core Skills Training.  (MHRS highly desired).

• Work experience with Medi-Cal billing is highly desirable.
• Work experience with individuals with a mental health diagnosis is highly desirable.
• Experience in attaining entitlements for adults with a mental health diagnosis is highly desirable.
• Ability to professionally advocate for clients for services and resources.
• Work experience with persons who have substance abuse problems, preferably individuals who are dually diagnosed (mental health & substance abuse) is highly desirable.
• Lived experience as a mental health consumer or a family member/loved one of a mental health consumer is desirable

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:  

• Possess a valid California Driver’s License and current vehicle insurance.   Driving record must meet, and continue to meet, the underwriting standards established by the generalized driving guidelines used by our insurance broker.  Must provide proof of insurance.
• Must have at least 3 or more years of driving experience.

Other Skills, Abilities, and Job Requirements:   

1. Ability to pass clearance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and/or Department of Justice (DOJ) background screenings.
2. Consumer of mental health services or a family member of a mental health consumer is desirable.

 HOPE Cooperative (aka TLCS, Inc.) is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer,   and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Our agency embraces a diverse & culturally rich workforce, and we welcome all candidates to apply.     

To apply, visit our Hope Cooperative – Online Career Center 

Final Filing Date:  Until Filled