Intake Specialist (Rogers Park)

$56,000 - 58,000 /Yr.

Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

The Intake Specialist is responsible for screening applicants for services and making appropriate determinations regarding what internal/external resources the client should be linked with from the point of intake to promote optimal functionality. They will market the organization’s services and forms relationships with external providers, applicants for service, and other referral sources. The Intake Specialist will provide client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed services to clients with severe mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse/addiction disorders utilizing a harm reduction approach.

Responsibilities

• Provide coverage for Intake Open Access across the organization and in the community
• Educate applicants about mental illness; and communicate expectations regarding the intake process, eligibility for services, and organization services provided 
• Complete client’s intake paperwork; i.e. application for services, consent for treatment, etc.
• Conduct intakes and mental health assessments to determine services, appropriateness of service, and level of care needed. Document all client encounters in tracking systems.
• Return intake phone calls and e-mail inquiries.  Educate applicants about mental illness; and communicate expectations regarding the intake process, eligibility for services, and organization services provided  
• Ensure completion of authorization for services. Communicate with managed care organizations to retrieve authorizations for client services.
• Conduct nursing home/community intakes as scheduled and communicate updates to departments. Make necessary adjustments to ensure scheduling and completion of nursing home/community intakes as directed.
• Work with Supervisor to comply with expectations of various funding sources 
• Market organization services and works closely with community partners
• Advocate on client’s behalf and empower clients to advocate on behalf of themselves when appropriate
• Provide on-call coverage and immediate crisis intervention as needed
• Communicate effectively with the team for purposes of consultation and information sharing
• Complete all documentation in a timely and thorough manner
• Perform other job-related duties and/or projects as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Masters’ Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling required
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) preferred
• Minimum two years of experience working with people with mental health and/or substance abuse diagnoses
• IM CANS certification required or must obtain IM CANS certification within 30 days of hire date.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license with daily access to a well-maintained vehicle with $100,000/$300,000 liability insurance