Benefits Coordinator

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Sick time

Family/personal time

Retirement with cash match

Job summary

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services seeks a full-time Benefits Coordinator in Western State Hospital, Staunton, VA. The role evaluates patients' needs for financial benefits, assists with applications, and educates staff and patients on entitlement programs.

Responsibilities include reviewing SSDI/SSI eligibility, handling referrals, notifying SSA of suspensions, and maintaining entitlements records. Background checks and drug screen apply; travel not required.

Qualifications

• Experience determining clients’ eligibility for federal benefits and other government financial assistance.
• Knowledge of SSDI/SSI eligibility and SSA processes.
• Experience with Electronic Health Records and social work documentation.

Responsibilities

• Review the status of incoming patients to determine SSDI/SSI eligibility.
• Receive referrals for patients needing Social Security benefits.
• Notify SSA of patients whose benefits should be suspended because of specific codes.
• Maintain information files and Social Work Money Sheets about entitlements for WSH patients.
• Investigate questions from SSA staff, WSH social workers, DDS determiners, and Reimbursement Division representatives to obtain information necessary to complete assessments, reinstatements, applications, and appeals.
• Provide education to staff, patients, families, and CSB staff regarding financial entitlements per individual request, through PSR groups, and in Team meetings.
• Completes 10 hours of continuing education yearly (CME’s or other formal training, workshops)

Skills

Adult mental health experience

Benefits eligibility knowledge

Electronic Health Records

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Bilingual

Education

Associate’s degree in social/human services

Bachelor’s degree or higher (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

Title: Benefits Coordinator

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: $38,000 to $71,236

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Location: Western State Hospital

103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401.

Who We Are

Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation “Learning” programs.

WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work.

Position Overview

Western State Hospital is seeking a full time Benefits Coordinator for the Social Work Department to evaluate patients' needs and eligibility for financial benefits; assist patients with benefits applications; and educate staff and patients regarding entitlement programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Review the status of incoming patients to determine eligibility for SSDI and SSI benefits
• Receive referrals for patients needing Social Security benefits
• Prompt notification to SSA of patients whose benefits should be suspended because of specific legal codes
• Maintain information files and Social Work Money Sheets about entitlements for WSH patients
• Investigate questions from SSA staff, WSH social workers, DDS determiners, and Reimbursement Division representatives to obtain information necessary to complete assessments, reinstatements, applications, and appeals
• Provide education to staff, patients, families, and CSB staff regarding financial entitlements per individual request, through PSR groups, and in Team meetings
• Completes 10 hours of continuing education yearly (CME’s or other formal training, workshops)

Benefits Include

• health, vision, and dental insurance
• life insurance
• paid time off
• sick time
• family/personal time
• retirement with cash match

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional work experience with adults with serious mental illness and/or other disabilities
• Work experience in determining clients’ eligibility for federal benefits and other government financial assistance and assisting clients with the processes necessary to access these financial services

Additional Considerations

• Associate’s degree in a social services/human services field, bachelor’s degree, or higher
• Experience with the use of Electronic Health Record
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and other computer programs to determine eligibility
• Veteran and veteran spouse
• Bilingual

Background Investigation

All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code

• 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at [phone] during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity

The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference

DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.