Benefit Specialist for Healthy Aging Program at Post Rd

BENEFITS SPECIALIST

HEALTHY AGING

FULL TIME - NON-EXEMPT

Thrive Behavioral Health, the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic for Kent County, has been delivering mental health and substance use services since 1976. Thrive Behavioral Health understands the benefits of delivering high quality, low-cost care for Rhode Islanders. Thrive's unique programs and services are built on evidence based, person-centric care models. Our programs include: Adult Mental Health, Youth and Family, Substance Use, Housing, Teen and Young Adult, Court Ordered, and Crisis Behavioral Health. With more than a dozen locations across Rhode Island and more than 300 employees, Thrive is continuing to grow and meet the needs of the community.

General Summary: Provide direct service, coordination of benefits, and linkage to benefit services and advocacy, as needed to individual client and/or family for the purpose of assisting client with their overall access to care and recovery.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, First Shift

Location: Warwick, RI

**This is a grant funded position through September 2026.

Did you know... studies have shown that the number one reason a person chooses not to apply for a role is because they do not think they'll be hired if they don't meet 100% of the qualifications? Thrive understands that while certain criteria are requirements of the job, other skills can be taught to the right person. Please consider applying anyway.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Support clients throughout their benefits enrollment process. Support includes listening, encouraging, coaching, empowering, and connecting clients to benefit resources that meet their individual needs and eligibility requirements.
• Develop collaborative working relationships with staff of community agencies providers, and individuals in the client's network of care in order to expand access to benefits.
• Provide referral, advocacy and education to the community regarding issues of chemical dependency or mental health.
• In the course of daily operations, monitor signs and symptoms of psychiatric functioning; while providing benefit services. Document all services and findings. Reporting any variance to appropriate clinical supervisory staff.
• Provide assistance with income reporting to insure safe and affordable housing, access to health care and other entitlements
• Participate in clinical team meetings to ensure smooth coordination of client services and treatment.
• Accompany client to community appointments related to obtaining benefits, provide advocacy as needed.
• Review e-mail account daily for new messages.
• Carry and enliven a positive Thrive image consistent with the Thrive's Guiding Principles and professional code of ethics.

Education, Experience and Competencies:

• Bachelor's Degree in the Human Service field or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Minimum (2) year experience in Human Service field working with clients with disabilities preferred.
• Experience or training in related state and federal assistance programs, particularly RI Medicaid also preferred.
• Basic computer literacy skills are necessary

Certifications, Licenses Requirements:

• Valid driver's license and automobile insurance which meets Rhode Island minimum standards required, or the ability to obtain necessary transportation in order to perform the responsibilities/tasks of the job.
• Training and certification in (SOAR) SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery preferred but not required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

This This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to assist individuals with disabilities in meeting the expectations of the position.

EEO/VET/LGBTQ Employer

Benefits:

• 3 weeks' vacation to start, increases to 4 weeks after 2 years of employment
• 10 sick days per year
• 1 Float day
• Birthday off
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid lunch
• Low-deductible medical insurance plan
• Dental insurance as low as $0/month
• Vision Insurance
• Company-paid life insurance worth 2x your annual salary Long Term Disability
• 401k with 2% company match
• Optional Aflac, additional life insurance, and pet insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee referral bonuses

All employees are considered benefit eligible if their schedule is 20 hours per week or more. Time-off balances are pro-rated for part-time employees. Insurance plans remain the same regardless of FT or PT benefit eligibility.

Thrive believes in healthy work/life balance and a friendly/family working environment, whose values include Dignity, Respect, Teamwork and Professional Support and Development.