Human Resources Benefits Specialist

CORE VALUES

The core values of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) are dignity and stewardship. Each staff member is expected to perform their job duties in a way that preserves dignity for our patients and maintains good stewardship of the Center's resources. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Supporting employees and families through comprehensive benefits is essential to our goal of being the employer of choice.

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for administration and assistance related to all CHC insurance, benefit, and retirement plans. The Benefits Specialist coordinates, develops, prepares, and distributes information to HR and CHC leadership about current plan information. The Benefits Specialist is responsible for working with vendors and local hospitals to establish the best plans and pricing for CHC employees, including negotiations directly with local healthcare institutions. Develops training and presentation for employees, leadership, and board over all benefit plans and utilization. This position is responsible for ensuring employee premium payments are accurate and data entry of benefit plans are entered into the HRIS system appropriately and timely. Responsible for the administration and tracking of COBRA, Worker’s Compensation and leave of absence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Coordinates the bidding process for benefits including establishing contracts for reference-based pricing with local healthcare facilities.
2. Monitors and follows up with newly eligible employees and ensures elections/waives are made in the HRIS system within the 30-day window.
3. Maintains the Benefit platform and integration feeds within the HRIS system, meeting with the Benefit account manager on a re-occurring basis.
4. Conducts surveys and analyze results to improve benefit offerings to best meet the needs of CHC employees and dependents.
5. Retrieve and review data from Benefit Broker/Consultant regarding utilization data and opportunities to lower claims costs and identify needs for education.
6. Monitors and compiles trending reports on domestic and non-domestic spending.
7. Negotiates pricing with healthcare facilities regarding single case agreements.
8. Provide employee benefit and retirement education during open enrollment and throughout the year.
9. Run validation reports to look for unpaid benefit premiums and work with the employee to cover costs.
10. Verify information with benefit vendors match the information in employee’s benefits
11. Timely preparation of open enrollment review, communication, and education.
12. Ensures timely mailing of 1095-C’s, CMS Creditable/Non-Creditable Coverage Notifications
13. Supports the Finance team with retirement audits, as needed.
14. Administers and tracks Leave of Absence for employees including FMLA.   
15. Provides reports on the day after orientation of new hires and terminations, as well as their dependents to Health Information and Pharmacy team for updating employment status in their electronic systems.
16. Administers and tracks Worker’s Compensation injuries per guidelines.

The essential functions listed are not an exhaustive list of every task the employee is required to complete. Employees are expected to perform all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field, preferred.
2. 2-4 years of experience in an employer benefits position.
3. Experience with a self-insured employer plan and negotiating insurance contracts preferred.
4. Valid driver’s license as travel is a requirement of the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Social and cultural sensitivity appropriate to ethnically and economically diverse patient-and employee-base.
2. Must be organized and able to manage/prioritize tasks to meet deadlines, adapts to change in a positive manner, able to work as a part of a team.
3. Must be computer literate, especially with Microsoft Office products and be proficient with the Human Resource Information Systems
4. Must be knowledgeable in Benefits and FMLA laws and regulations
5. Must be able to maintain good inter-personal relationship with co-workers and other members of the organization.
6. Provide customer service in accordance to the organization’s mission.
7. Be courteous and respectful when interacting with employees
8. Maintain confidentiality in accordance to organization’s policy and procedure 

WORKING CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers to operate computer keyboard, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Computer work is constant. Good lighting and comfortable temperature of ventilation at all times.