Health and Benefits Specialist

IRC Background:

Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through 26 regional offices in cities across the United States, the IRC helps refugees resettle and become self-sufficient. Our programs are designed to ensure refugees thrive in America–whether ensuring children are enrolled in school, adults become self-reliant through employment or starting businesses, or families receive acute medical care they need to recover from trauma or illness. The IRC helps those in need to rebuild their lives and regain control of their future in their new home community.

Scope:

The Health and Benefits Specialist (HBS) plays a critical role in coordinating health care provision and social benefits enrollment for newly arrived refugees. This is a demanding role as it is charged with navigating complex the bureaucracies of health care, social security, and state social services. The HBEC ensures that every new arrival has been enrolled in key health, social service, and government support programs. The HBS works with the Resettlement Manager to ensure health protocols are enforced and communicated clearly to IRC staff and refugees. The HBS works directly with State and County health professionals as well as with clinicians to ensure quality preventative, curative and behavioral health care is delivered in a culturally sensitive way. The HBS guides, prepares, and empowers newly arrived refugees to live healthy productive lives in their new environment. The HBS is responsible for managing and documenting service provision, providing client intakes, assessments, and referrals, making appoints with clinicians, and managing critical care case services. The HBS reports directly to the Resettlement Manager.

Responsibilities:

Services

• Assist in providing comprehensive and required services to IRC clients enrolling or enrolled in Refugee Medical services, Behavioral Health services and Refuge Health screening.
• Assist with enrollment in social services that the IRC client is eligible for, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• Support timely provision and coordination of medical, dental, and mental health services, particularly for clients with serious health conditions.
• Assist clients with the selection of a primary care physician (PCP) and help schedule initial appointments once the selection has been made, ensuring each client can independently schedule their own appointments.
• Assist clients in resolving barriers to accessing medical and mental health services, including transportation, language access, and financial barriers.
• Oversee the coordination of medical schedules by working with clinical staff at medical facilities and a volunteer pool to ensure refugee health screenings are scheduled and coordinated with the direct service team and to troubleshoot any issues that arise.
• Assist clients to resolve any issues that arise concerning billing for medical services and coordination between Medicaid or other insurance plan and health providers.
• Ensure any urgent medication needs are resolved and that clients know how to fill and refill prescriptions at an accessible pharmacy.
• Assist clients to obtain affordable prescription eyeglasses if needed.
• Ensure compliance with both case file management and reporting requirements. This entails regular and timely maintenance of hard-copy and/or electronic files per donor funding requirements. Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency, placing importance on client confidentiality.
• Other duties as assigned

Coordination

• Contribute input on development of policy and processes, identify ways to improve programs and provide feedback.
• Process claims and perform administration with insurance companies.
• Attend organizational meetings.
• Case note/document client services in various databases.
• Conduct bus orientations to Primary Care Clinics with clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Educational background in social work, public health, or health promotion
• Minimum of 1 year relevant or related job experience
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise, accessible way.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural background
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable with strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Fluency in English; written and spoken.
• Clean driving record, valid driver’s license, and access to a personal, insured personal vehicle OR familiarity and comfort with using local public transportation system.

Working Environment

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

IRC- leading the way from harm to home

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law