What are the responsibilities and job description for the Advocacy & Benefits Specialist (Part-Time) position at Kenneth Young Center?
Advocacy & Benefits Specialist (Part-Time)
Kenneth Young Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit dedicated to providing comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services to individuals of all walks of life. Located in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, we offer a wide range of services including outpatient therapeutic care, recovery-oriented support, community prevention, LGBTQ outreach, older adult services, and crisis intervention. Our team welcomes and celebrates unique perspectives and represents the diversity and vitality of our local communities. Join our team to grow in your career while building stronger, healthier communities.
Job Scope: The Advocacy & Benefits Specialist provides benefits assistance to older adults and persons with disabilities through outreach and education efforts, completion of applications and coordination of the Senior Health Assistance Program (SHAP) as well as the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) volunteers. The coordinator will also act as a resource to agency staff regarding benefits and entitlement programs.
Responsibilities
- Provide a full range of direct services to older adults and persons with disabilities requesting information, assistance and advocacy with access to benefits and entitlements
- Coordinate and collaborate with Benefits Specialist and supervisor regarding community outreach events, group presentations, health fairs, educational programs and other community events to provide information about benefits SHIP, SHAP, and pharmaceutical assistance programs.
- Provide counseling to older adults and persons with disabilities about Benefit Access, Medicaid, Medicare benefits, Low Income Subsidy (LIS/Extra Help),
- Maintain SHIP Counselor Certification status and SHIP Site eligibility and attend SHIP trainings
- Attend Advisory webinars, receive and review Advisory Alerts and Bulletins Access
- Submit and track applications for Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, Medicare Part D, Benefits Access and other prescriptions assistance programs
- Will submit reports to the Manager of Billing and Compliance in timely manner. Maintain up to date records and data of applications submitted
- Complete client data entry in STARZ, CMIS, Harmony, NPR, Aging IS, Aging Cares or other reporting software as required by funders. Complete documentation and funder reports in a timely manner
- Facilitate and maintain communication between KYC (Authentication site) and DHS. Send out IDOA notifications to DHS. Assist with spend down issues
- Be able to provide follow up/ follow through with submitted applications
- Provide back up support to the ADRN Specialist as needed
Performance Requirements
- Work toward achieving various goals, productivity and service targets set by Management and funders for the service unit
- Maintain SHIP Counselor Certification status and SHIP Site eligibility and attend SHIP trainings
- Seek and participate in on-going trainings to assure current knowledge of benefits programs and application processes
- Attend provider meetings as required
- Accurately complete documentation and service reporting in a timely manner
- Participate in supervision and seek individual consultation with supervisor as needed
- Participates in Team Meetings and All Staff Meetings
- Participate in quarterly funder meetings, Make Medicare Work and Funder Meetings
- Visit local senior housing buildings on at least a quarterly basis and assist residents in obtaining benefits
- Participate in yearly evaluation
Position Requirements
- Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in social work, gerontology, psychology or other related discipline
- Preferred experience of one to two year working with Older Adults specifically with Benefits Applications. Demonstrating the ability to provide case advocacy, case coordination and care services in a community based organization serving older adults and/or persons with disabilities
Schedule
- Part Time, Hourly, up to 24 hours per week
Kenneth Young Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer
