Counselor, Community Health, Healthcare

Job Details Job Location:
Administration - 1345 River Bend Drive Suite 200 - Dallas, TX Position Type:
Full Time Education Level:
Bachelors Salary Range:
Undisclosed Travel Percentage:
Travel within DFW Metroplex Job Category:
Clinical Description

Are you looking for a purpose-driven career? At Metrocare, we serve our neighbors with developmental or mental health challenges by helping them find lives that are meaningful and satisfying.

Metrocare is the largest provider of mental health services in North Texas, serving over 55,000 adults and children annually. For over 50 years, Metrocare has provided a broad array of services to people with mental health challenges and developmental disabilities. In addition to behavioral health care, Metrocare provides primary care centers for adults and children, services for veterans and their families, accessible pharmacies, housing, and supportive social services.

Alongside clinical care, researchers and teachers from Metrocare’s Altshuler Center for Education & Research are advancing mental health beyond Dallas County while providing critical workforce to the state.

The Options Counselor I performs activities that facilitate access to community supports, services, and benefits. The incumbent shall perform options counseling, a person-centered, interactive, and decision-support process, and application assistance on benefits for state and federal programs through the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). Performs non-supervisory human services work which requires familiarity with various government benefit and non-profit programs for older adults, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers.

Work involves providing persons contacting the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in Dallas County with intake, conducting effective assessment of individual needs, and providing application assistance for state long-term services and supports (LTSS) and providing referrals to community resources. Work requires the employee to respond professionally, with sensitivity, timeliness, and accuracy to inquiries from individuals of all ages, informal caregivers, providers, and the public.

May coordinate services with other agencies and internal/external service providers. Assists with training others.

Works under moderate supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The essential functions of this position must be performed at Metrocare offices between the hours of 8AM-5PM therefore the position is not eligible for telecommuting on a regular basis.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as a primary point of contact for all individuals accessing the Aging and Disability Resource Center.
• Answers incoming calls, emails, contacts, etc. to the ADRC information, referral, and assistance lines. Ensures calls and emails are answered at a rate commensurate with agency standards and contract requirements.
• Assists with walk-ins or appointments to the ADRC.
• Conducts person-centered consumer assessments and referrals to appropriate resources and benefits by screening and assessing individual needs, providing technical assistance on programs and services, and providing descriptions of community services available to individuals served and referrals to partner agencies. Continues ongoing follow-up as needed or requested.
• Serves as an advocate in guiding individuals through a complex and fragmented service delivery system and assist in expediting the delivery of services.
• Assists individuals with completing applications for HHSC long-term support services, including submitting applications to appropriate HHSC departments.
• Documents information, referral and assistance contacts, intakes, and screens accurately and timely per standards required by the agency. Assists in preparing reports based on the data entered the appropriate database.
• Maintains and updates resource data system that provides current and accurate information regarding services that serve the ADRC target population.
• Documents outreach activities per agency requirements.
• Participates in required training and meetings.
• Participates and maintains all training…