Admissions Specialist

Volunteers of America Los Angeles; Downey (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Volunteers of America Los Angeles is seeking an Admission Specialist to serve as a liaison between hospitals, referral sources, and VOALA facilities offering SUD treatment. This role coordinates admissions, reviews records, and tracks bed availability across programs to support timely client placement.

The position requires a background in SUD services, fingerprint clearance, and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field, with bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Qualifications

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance and background check.
• One year of experience in Substance Use Disorder treatment or related field.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field is preferred.
• Alcohol and Drug Counseling Registration (CCAPP/CADTP/CADEE) is required or obtainable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate admissions to SCADP and VOALA programs with hospitals, courts, and other referral sources.
• Monitor Daily Bed Count across SCADP/VOALA sites and maintain availability.
• Review medical records and ASAM triage to determine admission appropriateness.
• Triage referrals and ensure required documents are complete for admissions.
• Research Medi-Cal status and enter SAGE records; communicate updates to sites and officials.
• Ensure treatment sites receive required records and coordinate follow-ups as needed.
• Report to office and liaise with partners to support program goals.
• Other duties as assigned and may change.

Skills

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field

Alcohol and Drug Counseling Registration (CCAPP/CADTP/CADEE)

ASAM Level 1&2 training within 2 weeks of hire

Job description

Career Opportunities with Volunteers of America Los Angeles

A great place to work.

Careers At Volunteers of America Los Angeles

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories

Volunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless facilities, low-income housing program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at www.voala.org .

PAY RATE: $23.51 - $24.75 Per Hour

BENEFITS

• VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.

JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

The Admission Specialist supports the Admissions Coordinator as a Liaison between hospitals and other referral sources for clients who may need Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment at one of various SCADP or VOALA facilities, programs or shelters. This includes overseeing resources and coordinating the efforts of community partners, and conducting ongoing outreach to serve participants and leverage SCADP and community assets.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communicate with Hospital, Court, and other agency Social Services representatives, Discharge Planners, Court Officers, Probation officers, Parole Officers and other referral sources to coordinate admissions to SCADP and VOALA programs.


• Assist the monitoring of Daily Bed Count at all SCADP/VOALA Substance Use Disorder sites, maintain correct availability considering scheduled admits, daily intake, and input from referral sources.


• Request, obtain, and review medical records, ASAM triage, and other relevant documents from referrers.


• Perform triage on referrals and documentation for appropriateness of admission to SCADP/VOALA programs


• Research MediCal status of referrals for active status and county of record, make appropriate SAGE entries.


• Send required records to treatment sites, referral sources, state and county officials and MediCal, as required


• Note follow up with any required mental health, physical health or detox/psychiatric treatment needed.


• Confirm any pharmacy information needed, and communicate with treatment site


• Follow up with treatment site and referral source all confirmed admission to SCADP/VOALA program, including admit date and anticipated stay.


• Other Duties as directed to accomplish program goals.

ESSENTIAL ABILITY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Ability to work and deal with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs, which may include clients with homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration, and other challenges.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• An essential function of this position requires incumbents to report to the office.


• LIAISON: Communicate with Hospital, Court, and other agency Social Services representatives, Discharge Planners, Court Officers, Probation officers, Parole Officers and other referral sources to coordinate admissions to SCADP and VOALA programs


• RECORD REVIEW AND TRIAGE: Request, obtain, and review medical records, ASAM triage, and other relevant documents from referrers. Perform triage on referrals and documentation for appropriateness of admission to SCADP/VOALA programs


• COORDINATION OF SERVICES: Monitor Daily Bed Count at all SCADP/VOALA Substance Use Disorder sites, maintain correct availability considering scheduled admits, daily intake, and input from referral sources.


• ADMINISTRATION: Research MediCal status of referrals for active status and county of record, make appropriate SAGE entries. Send required records to treatment sites, referral sources, state and county officials and MediCal, as required. Note follow up with any required mental health, physical health or detox/psychiatric treatment needed. Confirm any pharmacy information needed, and communicate with treatment site


• Other duties as required and may be subject to change

MANDATED REPORTER

As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered Mandated Reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications


• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as SCADP serves the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients with homelessness, mental-illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration and other challenges.

EDUCATION

• Alcohol and Drug Counseling Registration by an approved accrediting organization (CCAPP, CADTP or CADEE)


• Completed modules 1 and 2 of ASAM within 2 weeks of hire

EXPERIENCE

• One year of experience in SUD Treatment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or discipline related to Program services


• Experience connecting clients to community and government resources.


• Experience serving the target community


• Bilingual in English and Spanish.


• Well informed of organizational priorities and procedures.


• Knowledge of Los Angeles area community resources


• Knowledge of Housing First Model and Harm Reduction Model

Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This employer participates in E-Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.