Central Access Specialist

Chestnut Health Systems is seeking a Central Access Specialist II to serve as a key point of contact for individuals seeking mental health and substance use services. This position responds to incoming calls, completes screenings and registrations, coordinates appointments and referrals, verifies insurance benefits, and helps connect consumers with appropriate services. The ideal candidate will provide calm, professional, and supportive communication while handling a high volume of calls and navigating sensitive or emotional situations.

Weekend and evening hours may be required.

Chestnut Health Systems™ is a leading provider of integrated health care services. Since 1973, Chestnut has grown to more than 800 committed, compassionate employees providing substance use, mental health, and primary care treatment to patients in Illinois and Missouri. We provide fully integrated care for all our patients by combining behavioral health care services with our community-based primary care health centers. Chestnut also conducts research and training throughout the U.S.A.

• Answer incoming and assigned outbound calls promptly and professionally while using recovery-oriented and trauma-informed approaches.
• Help individuals access and schedule mental health and substance use services.
• Screen consumers and potential consumers by telephone and in person to gather demographic, presenting-problem, referral-source, and basic insurance information.
• Enter registration and screening information accurately into the assigned electronic health record (EHR).
• Complete clinical screenings to generate billable services when appropriate and document services accurately and on time.
• Complete additional screening and registration requirements based on established protocols, including gathering information related to DCFS, guardianship, grants, or contracts when applicable.
• Schedule initial and follow-up appointments and provide appropriate referrals and linkages based on screening results.
• Clearly communicate appointment details, including the date, time, location, phone number, and provider.
• Verify insurance benefit coverage through available web-based applications and document information according to established procedures.
• Provide a high standard of customer service to consumers, potential consumers, support systems, community contacts, and internal staff.
• Communicate patiently and effectively during conflict-related or emotional situations.
• Participate in data gathering and quality improvement activities and serve as a project leader when assigned.
• Attend meetings, participate in program development, and provide peer leadership and backup support to team members.
• Complete required Rule 132 supervision and supporting documentation when applicable.
• Attend mandatory Chestnut training, including training related to the Electronic Health Record.
• Promote Chestnut’s trauma-informed and recovery-oriented model through interactions that support hope, respect, empowerment, health and wellness, and connectedness.
• Assume leadership responsibilities as assigned.
• Maintain and protect the confidentiality of consumer, financial, and organizational information.
• Perform other duties as assigned or as agreed upon with the supervisor.

• High school diploma with 10 years of experience in admissions, scheduling, or screening potential intakes for services; or
• Bachelor’s degree in a helping profession or related administrative field with 5 years of relevant admissions, scheduling, or screening experience; or
• Master’s degree in a helping profession or related administrative field.
• Excellent telephone skills and the ability to manage a high volume of calls.
• Professional and effective communication skills with employees, consumers, potential consumers, support systems, and community contacts.
• Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment when responding to inquiries and completing related tasks.
• Ability to remain calm and communicate effectively during conflict-related or emotional situations.
• Good keyboarding and data-entry skills, with experience using databases preferred.
• Experience with an electronic health record (EHR) or electronic billing system preferred.
• General knowledge of office procedures, including electronic and paper filing, basic word processing, and use of standard office equipment such as copiers, fax machines, and scanners.
• Ability to remain seated throughout a work shift while answering telephone calls using a headset and performing data entry.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours as required.

Are you intrigued by this job but don’t meet every single requirement? Chestnut is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about any of our posted positions but your experience doesn’t line up perfectly, please apply anyway! We’d love to explore the possibilities with you.

Chestnut Health Systems is a leader in the effort to achieve health equity, providing high-quality health and human services in underserved communities. We deliver trauma-informed, fully integrated care by combining behavioral health with community-based primary health care. Chestnut’s research division is nationally recognized for its contribution to evidence-based practices. Our empathic and innovative employees live our mission of making a difference.

Chestnut offers a new salary structure and robust benefits!

The anticipated starting pay for new hires for this position is between  $21.00 - $22.00 an hour. There are several factors taken into consideration in determining base pay, including but not limited to job-related qualifications, skills, education, experience, local market conditions, and internal equity.

check out our benefits here!

EOE - Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. Chestnut welcomes applications from qualified individuals with recovery experience.