Senior Intake Specialist

Company: Metropolitan Family Services
Location: Palos Hills
Posted on: January 16, 2022

Job Description:

Metropolitan Family Services -empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 96,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness and empowerment.
We are now hiring for a full-time Senior Intake Specialist to join our Palos -Center - Team!
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Acts as the lead with Intake team. Conducts weekly team meetings. Facilitates intake meeting for purpose of program status reports (BH, Support Staff, Intake) and discussion of topics/issues related to the intake process and program needs.
Reviews Monthly Intake Report sent to intake supervisor by the 5th of the month.
Maintains communication with program supervisors associated with the programs who access intake dept. This currently includes BH, AP, ACS, MCR, Support Staff. This includes assisting with assuring there are appropriate intake slots available for referrals, changes in intake schedules, and asking follow up with clinicians as to workflow duties related to first intake appointment.
Assures that intake staff meet agency training requirements and dept. requirements (including Smartcare reviews and updates).
Interview individuals who contact the office or program by telephone or in person regarding their need for services; gathers information needed to process applications.
Assess severity of client needs and triages cases. Makes a preliminary determination of eligibility and nature of need, interpreting and applying established policies and instructions.
Provides guidance, problem solving and critical thinking coaching for intake workers in response to client calls, referral sources, etc.
May case manage psychiatric-only cases, collaborates with support staff in relation to the doctors, and provide crisis back-up to client medication problems.
May provide individual therapy/clinical hours.
Determine whether an emergency situation exists and, if so, makes immediate referrals to other appropriate resources or expedited appointments within MFS program linkages. Informs clients of specific steps to be taken on their own with courts, agencies, or other entities.
Understand intake procedures, eligibility guidelines, case acceptance policies, case assignment procedures, and case and client recordkeeping procedures; implements them for individual inquires and applications for service.
Communicate information and advice to clients under the direct supervision, and documents same in writing. Distribute appropriate client self help and educational materials.
Recognize typical legal and/or social problems presented by clients and makes referrals to the appropriate agency staff, other agency department, or outside agency.
Maintain initial appointment schedules, documents pertinent client information in appropriate client tracking data base and/or electronic health record, files intake and other case records.
May collect and record fees or other cash receipts, and delivers receipts or disbursements under established procedures.
Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling or related field from an accredited college or university, required.
One year of social services, case management, or related experience, required .
Previous experience in a behavioral health setting preferred.
Thorough understanding of behavioral health and/or social services to assess and make preliminary determination of eligibility and nature of services needed.
Demonstrated understanding of income support eligibility, services, policies, and procedures.
Good computer skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs. Ability and interest in learning a behavioral healthcare electronic health record.
Must be detailed oriented with good organizational skills.
Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to multi task within a fast-paced environment and meet multiple deadlines simultaneously.
Demonstrated courtesy, patience, and good judgment under pressure.
Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
MFS staff are required to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved Medical exemption prior to starting employment. If an approved -Medical is obtained, weekly testing is required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch.
The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.
The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Metropolitan Family Services offers a very generous benefits packet to our professionals:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO w/ HSA contributions.
Dental and Vision Insurance Options
11 paid Holidays
Paid Time Off (PTO)
401K Plan
Training and Professional Development Plan with E- Learning
Wellness Initiative Program
Employee Assistance Network
#CB

Keywords: Metropolitan Family Services, Chicago , Senior Intake Specialist, Other , Palos Hills, Illinois