Job Listing

Work Incentive Coordinator

Lakes Region Mental Health Center

Lakes Region Mental Health Center (LRMHC) is the community mental health center serving Belknap and southern Grafton Counties. We provide services to 24 surrounding towns, and nearly 4,000 patients each year. A non-profit, private corporation founded in 1966, Lakes Region Mental Health Center is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors dedicated to our mission. We provide integrated mental and physical health care to children, adults, elders and their families who are living with – and recovering from- mental illness and/or emotional distress. Our dedicated professionals provide the highest quality of healthcare and collaborate with many other organizations in the region to improve access to care and meet the mental health needs of the community. By working in partnership with other health care providers, hospitals, law enforcement, corrections, courts, school districts, social workers and public health officials, we are able to provide a continuum of care for our patients and improve the quality of life in the Lakes Region.

The Work Incentives Coordinator (WIC) provides work incentives planning and assistance to patients who receive Social Security Disability Benefits. The WIC is responsible for counseling and educating patients about how employment will affect their current benefits (which may include public and private health insurance, federal, state, and/or local benefits received) so that individuals may make informed choices towards employment and self-sufficiency.

Requirements:

The individual must possess the knowledge, skills and ability noted below or be able to explain and demonstrate how the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some combination of skills and abilities. Must also posses the necessary physical capacities, with or without the aid of mechanical devices or other forms of accommodation, to safely perform the primary functions of the job.

Must have strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask.
Ability to organize work-load so that his/her clinical and administrative duties are completed in a timely and thorough manner without the need for direct supervision.
Understands the agency mission and applies this knowledge productively to shape internal policies and external contacts.
Must be able to establish a rapport with patients. Must treat the patients with dignity and respect.
Must be capable of working closely with other agency staff to expand the knowledge of mental health services both within the Team and across to other programs. Must be able to develop strong working relationships with external services.
Must have strong computer skills, especially with Excel or similar programs for efficient tracking.
Must have strong verbal and written communication skills.
Must have the ability to read and analyze data and reports.
Must be able to tolerate periods of heavy workload, to include long working hours and the balancing of conflicting demands.

    QUALIFICATIONS:
    Education:       Bachelor’s or Master’s in mental health counseling, social work, psychology, nursing, counseling or another related field as specified in He-M426-11 and He-M426-13.
    Experience:      Two to three years’ experience in mental health, vocational rehabilitation and employment related benefits. Knowledge of Quality Improvement concepts a plus.
    Licensure/Certification: Must be able to become certified in Work Incentives Planning and Assistance. Must possess a valid NH driver's license.

    WORK SCHEDULE:
    Generally works Monday through Friday with occasional requirements to cover emergencies after hours.

Responsibilities:

Under the direction of their supervisor, and within the center’s program policies and procedures, performs the following functions:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS WITHIN ASSIGNED PROGRAM:

Connect patients with Vocational Rehabilitation to apply for services, ensuring a smooth referral transition.
Engages patients to be involved with Supported Employment and/or increased employment outcomes by providing work incentive counseling and planning.
Develops a comprehensive plan for patients that includes how two to three different levels of income would affect their existing benefits and what specific work incentive options the patient might use to increase their financial independence, accept a pay raise or increase their earned income.
Develops comprehensive documentation of all the patient’s exiting disability benefit programs including, but not limited to: SSA disability programs; SSI income programs; Medicaid; Medicare; Housing programs and Food stamps and food subsidy programs.
Collects data to develop quarterly reports on employment outcomes and work incentives counseling benefits that includes, but is not limited to: number of benefits orientations presentations; number of patients referred to vocational rehabilitation who receive mental health services; percentage of individuals seeking part or full-time employment; and the number of patients who increase employment hours to part-time and full-time.
Becomes certified to provide Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA).
Increase engagement of patients into Supported Employment based on the SE penetration rate.
Increase patient placement in both part-time and full-time employment.
Target Work Incentives Planning
Collaborates with Supported Employment Specialists and Vocational Rehabilitation.
Performs other work-related duties as assigned by the Clinical Coordinator.
Attendance is an essential function of this position.