Benefits Counselor

Benefits Counselor
Full-Time Benefits Counselor at Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission
Available Openings: 1
Apply By: February 29, 2024
Industry: Area Agency on Aging
Pay Type: Salary
Compensation: $39,000 - $50,000 per year
Education Level: Bachelor's Degree

Pay Group: B18

SUMMARY OF POSITION: Performs highly advanced advocacy and social services work directly to AAA eligible clients. Work involves serving as a liaison between clients and/or their designees in obtaining and accessing public and private benefits and, when necessary, consulting with or referring to licensed professionals. Position provides operational support to the AAA in planning, developing, managing, monitoring, and evaluating various legal services and/or public and private benefits. Work involves developing and implementing area plans, collecting, and analyzing data, preparing reports, and ensuring timely submission of departmental reports related to Benefits Counseling in compliance with state and federal rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

1. Reports to: Director of Area /on Aging

2. Directs: Non-Supervisory

3. Other: Interaction/contact with AAA staff and its Contractors, representatives of local, state, and federal government agencies, public and private organizations, service providers, other program personnel, volunteers, clients, private contractors, private non-contracting entities, and public.

Responsibilities

EXAMPLES OF WORK/ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Compilation, analysis, and submission of fiscal and programmatic reports related to Benefits Counseling in compliance with applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in a manner that supports state and federal requirements.

Organizes and maintains accurate documentation of all client data/contacts in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in a manner that supports state and federal requirements.

Provides advice/counseling to clients regarding a course of conduct, or how to proceed in a matter via telephone, in person, or electronically as necessary. May include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and legal issues.

Assists clients in documentation preparation relating to public entitlements, health care/long term care, individual rights, planning/protection options, and housing and consumer needs.

Provides representation to clients in the form of advocacy on behalf of client in protesting or complaining about a procedure, or seeking special consideration by appealing an administrative decision, or coordination representation with an attorney in either state or federal court systems.

Designs, initiates, and develops special projects in relation to Benefits Counseling, as available and/or required through state and/or federal resources.

Develops and conducts seminars and outreach activities throughout the region that are accurate, timely and relevant regarding eligibility criteria, requirements and procedures about public entitlements, health/long-term care services, individual rights, planning/protection options, and housing and consumer needs.

Prepares quarterly newsletter addressing current/relevant programs, issues, and Legal Awareness activities.

Assists in the preparation of program relevant grant plans including needs assessment and priority setting, service allocations, goals, and objectives for administration and service delivery, and compliance with appropriate state and federal rules and regulations.

Performs data entry and verification of eligible units for HICAP Assistance & Outreach, Legal Assistance and Legal Awareness clients.

Conduct education and outreach activities to disseminate accurate, timely and relevant information regarding eligibility criteria, requirements, and procedures to older individuals about public entitlements, health/long-term care services, individual rights, planning/protection options and housing and consumer needs.

Attends all required training, meetings, and conferences related to program goals.

Maintains the system of computerized client tracking for services provided directly.

Coordinates with other AAA staff to advocate for targeted elderly populations.

Maintains strict client confidentiality of client information, whether such data is electronic or otherwise.

OTHER IMPORTANT DUTIES: Participate in additional trainings as deemed necessary by AAA and HHSC. Content may be related to new projects, initiatives, performance measures or additional quality improvement activities.

Qualifications

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

KNOWLEDGE OF: Local, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, and requirements relevant to program area including long-term care, Medicare, Medicaid, public and private resources; understanding of the aging process and its impact on the older population, as well as a willingness to assist in the prevention and solution of problems and awareness of aging services.

SKILL/ABILITY TO: Interpret and communicate to others rules, regulations and guidelines prepared by state and federal agencies relating to aging programs and benefits counseling; establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, citizen groups, volunteers and the general public; interview clients skillfully, provide care/client planning skills, evaluate client needs, work independently and in a team setting, and demonstrate proficiency in both oral and written communication. Work as a leader in the community to educate individuals/groups regarding public/private benefits and resources.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, gerontology, psychology, sociology, social work, or a related field, plus one year of relevant experience; orHigh school graduation or its equivalent, plus at least two years of experience; orAny equivalent combination of experience and training that provides required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: Certification as a Benefits Counselor I and II and recertification as required.

Appropriate Texas driver’s license or available alternate means of transportation.

Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission

Contact: Cathe Henderson
Phone 4325631061
2910 LaForce Blvd
Midland, TEXAS 79706
United States