SOAR Benefits Specialist

RI International; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan with company matching

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

RI International is seeking a SOAR Benefits Specialist in Durham, NC to assist individuals experiencing homelessness and severe mental illness in applying for Social Security disability benefits. The role involves interviewing, documenting, and writing medical summaries under the SOAR model to help clients access SSI/SSDI benefits.

Required qualifications include a BA/BS in psychology or social work and 2–3 years of behavioral health experience in crisis settings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work or related field.
• State professional certification where applicable.
• 2–3 years of behavioral health experience in crisis settings or serving underserved populations.

Responsibilities

• Guest Care & Advocacy: identify applicants, conduct interviews, gather history for SSI/SSDI.
• Coordinate case management with partner agencies and provide support.
• Arrange visits to doctors and specialists to ensure access to care and evaluations.
• Assist with administrative tasks to support engagement and coordination.

Skills

MS Office

Electronic Health Records

Communication

Attention to detail

De-escalation training

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or Social Work

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

Change Lives With Recovery Innovations!Our Mission is to empower people on their journey to recovery, helping them achieve their goals, rediscover meaning and purpose in life, and reconnect with themselves and their communities. Our Vision is to revolutionize healthcare by pioneering innovative solutions that go beyond behavioral health, empowering people to thrive in the communities where they live, work, and play. Join a groundbreaking team at the forefront of Peer-Powered Support, empowering individuals on their journey through mental health and substance use challenges! Be part of something bigger—together, we can change lives and create lasting hope!

Position: SOAR Benefits Specialist

Job Type: Full-Time; Non-Exempt

Salary/Hourly Wage: $21.00 -24.00/hour

Shift Details: Monday-Friday8:00AM-5:00PM

Work Location: Crisis - Durham RRC - Durham, NC

Specialties / Licenses or Certifications:

The SOAR Benefits Specialist supports individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and living with serious mental illness, medical impairments, and/or co-occurring substance use disorders in applying for Social Security disability benefits. Utilizing the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) model, this role involves engaging with community partners, conducting interviews, gathering documentation, and writing medical summary reports to ensure complete and accurate disability applications. The SOAR Benefits Specialist plays a critical role in removing barriers to income and benefits, helping individuals access the resources needed for stability and recovery.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Guest Care & Advocacy

• Work with referral sources and community partners to identify applicants through team meetings, outreach, and referrals.
• Complete interviews with individuals to gather personal, medical, and vocational history needed for SSI/SSDI applications.
• Coordinate case management services with partner agencies and provide direct case management support to individuals as needed.
• Coordinate visits to medical doctors, psychiatrists, and other specialists to support the individual’s access to care and ensure necessary evaluations are completed.
• Assist the team with administrative tasks to support client engagement and overall service coordination.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Gather and review medical records and other supporting documents to ensure completeness and compliance with SSI/SSDI application requirements.
• Write accurate and detailed SOAR Medical Summary Reports to support disability claims in accordance with federal guidelines.
• Ensure all documentation and communication related to applications meet privacy, security, and regulatory standards.
• Monitor application processes for timeliness, accuracy, and alignment with internal procedures and external compliance requirements.
• Understands and adheres to Recovery Innovations compliance standards as they appear in the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policies.
• Keeps abreast of all federal and state regulations and laws and all Recovery Innovations policies and procedures as they presently exist and as they change or are modified.

Additional Duties

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Your well-being and success are our priority at RI—explore our benefits and discover how we invest in YOU every step of the way! As an innovative leader in behavioral health care, we are committed to supporting our teams through a comprehensive benefits package.

• competitive health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as access to mental health resources and wellness programs.
• strong retirement plan with company matching and generous paid time off to support work-life balance.
• ongoing opportunities for professional development and training to help you advance in your career.

We value the contributions of our team members and are dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally.

Job Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Education/Licenses

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work or related field from an accredited college or university.
• State professional certification where applicable.

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) – three (3) years of behavioral health experience required working in a crisis environment and/or assisting underserved populations with medical registration.

Skills

• Proficient in computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite, Electronic Health Record systems, and any other industry specific software systems.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Must be able to pass de-escalation training, as defined by state requirements

Driving Requirements

• If driving is required for this position, must meet all requirements outlined in Recovery Innovations’ driving policy.
• If not qualified to drive per driving policy, a Non-Driver Attestation form must be signed.

Miscellaneous Requirements

• Travel required based on business need.
• Must be at least 18 years old unless residing in a state where funder or government regulations set a different minimum age requirement.
• Successful complete and meet all requirements of the comprehensive credentialing process.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality (HIPAA guidelines and regulations) and professionalism.
• We are a Second-Chance Employer
  • Must be able to pass a seven-year background check.
  • Must be able to pass substance abuse testing and/or tuberculous testing (if applicable).
  • Must be able to pass education verification check.
  • Must be able to obtain designated fingerprinting clearance in applicable states.
  • Must be able to pass three‑year motor vehicle report and meet minimum eligibility requirements criteria of insurance carrier (if driving is required for this position).

Ability to maintain professional boundaries and engagement skills with a challenging population and in non-traditional work conditions Evidence of ongoing training and education in related areas such as mental illness, substance abuse, and/or homelessness Familiarity with Social Security Administration’s Listings of Impairments Cursory knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology and ability to write using same Experience with providing outreach and successful engagement to a diverse population, includes working with clients, developing trust, and conducting interviews in non-traditional settings and unstructured environments

A Direct Service Competency Checklist must be completed as part of the new hire onboarding process.

Physical Demands

May include work close to the eyes and substantial motions of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers. Frequent sitting, standing, walking, handling, finger dexterity; eye-hand-foot coordination, use of corrected vision; color vision; use of auditory senses. May be required to lift up to twenty (20) pounds.

May work in an office environment or behavioral health facility. May have contact with individuals who are agitated and/or confused. Work may include travel throughout the geographic region

Recovery Innovations is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. Our hiring practices are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We strive to create a workplace where every employee feels valued and respected.

Recovery Innovations is a second chance employer and we evaluate all qualified applicants fairly, including those with criminal histories, in accordance with legal and funder requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed above may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Recovery Innovations.

The wage range for this role considers the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Recovery Innovations compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.