Benefit Navigator Case Manager - Adult Mental Health

Zepf Center has been serving the Lucas County community for over 50 years. We are the leading provider of behavioral health and substance use disorder services in Northwest Ohio. Services include adult and child psychiatric, substance abuse, case management, residential, Crisis Care, and therapy programs, as well as career development and wellness services. Zepf Center also offers primary care medical services to our patients to contribute to their continuum of care. Zepf Center is a trauma-informed agency and environment for both patients and staff.

General Summary:

The Benefits Navigator provides focused case management to assist clients with stabilization and access to essential services. This role maintains a caseload focusing on enrollment in Medicaid, SRS, and other public benefits. The Benefits Navigator collaborates with Job and Family Services, Financial Interview Specialists, and internal programs to ensure timely access to benefits. Funding is available to purchase documentation (e.g., birth certificates, IDs) to reduce barriers for clients.

This position carries a reduced productivity, with outcomes tied to successful client enrollment in Medicaid.

Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:30am - 4:30pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide focused case management services to support client benefit acquisition, stabilization and linkage to the continuum of care
• Assist clients with eligibility screening, application, and enrollment into Medicaid, SRS, and related benefit programs.
• Provides assertive outreach as necessary, crisis intervention and management to secure needed resources
• Maintain a short-term caseload (average of 30 days per client) with focus on benefit navigation and service connection.
• Coordinate with Job and Family Services, Financial Interview Specialists, Reception, and internal agency programs to streamline benefit access.
• Utilize available funding to secure required documentation (e.g., ID, birth certificate, Social Security card) for clients.
• Monitor client progress and follow up with benefit agencies to ensure applications are completed successfully.
• Document all services and outcomes according to agency and Medicaid billing standards.
• Supports medical and clinical departments as needed, by maintaining required documentation (assessments, ISPs, etc.) to ensure client engagement in services and continuity of care.
• Meet productivity expectations and outcome goals related to client benefit acquisition.
• Confers with supervisor and treatment teams regarding client’s appropriateness for services, to ensure the most effective, necessary and cost-effective care
• Participate in required meetings, training, and agency initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Specific/Individual Competencies:

Abides by agency and/or professional code of ethics. Must be able to communicate effectively and possess the ability to work well both independently and with others in a sensitive, supportive manner that will facilitate the achievement of client goals. Staff must be role models who present behaviors that are mature, self-sufficient and socially appropriate. Must be able to follow through on assignments. Professional approach to all functions and relationships with all levels of staff, clients, other agencies and the public. Strives to continuously improve own and agency operations. Incorporates Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) techniques into daily work activities and participates in CQI teams or in CQI initiatives.

Organizational Competencies:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the agency mission, vision, goals and philosophy as well as the policies and procedures.
• Strives for high client satisfaction by providing leadership and/or assistance to coworkers and clients through the integrated care process.
• Demonstrate consistent professionalism.
• Demonstrate teamwork.
• Abide by the agencies and/or professional code of ethics.

Position Qualifications:

Required

• High school diploma and previous experience working with people who have a severe mental health disability or, enrolled in an educational program in the social services/mental health field preferred.
• Drive company vehicles must have a valid driver's license and be eligible for coverage as defined by the agency commercial insurance carrier. Those who drive personal vehicles during business must be able to provide proof of insurance.
• Able to bill Medicaid and pass applicable background check

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree of degree in social work, psychology, counseling or related field
• Previous experience with Medicaid, SRS or benefit enrollment process