Reentry Healthcare Coordinator

The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, including case management, educational instruction and advocacy, we focus on preparing individuals for the world of work by helping them find and keep productive and meaningful employment.

General Summary:

Safer Foundation is seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and eager Reentry Healthcare Coordinator to join our multi-disciplinary team! This position is a grant funded position through the IL Department of Healthcare and Family Services. As the Reentry Healthcare Coordinator, you will play a vital role in supporting individuals, particularly those returning home from incarceration, as they navigate the often-complex world of healthcare to ensure a healthy and successful reintegration.

Reporting to the Integrative Reentry Lead, the Reentry Healthcare Coordinator will serve as a friendly expert, providing essential health literacy support and hands-on guidance. Your support will go far beyond explanations on health insurance plans. You will actively assist clients in connecting them with their insurance provider, explaining benefits and accessible opportunities based on participant's unique plans, and connecting them with the right healthcare providers in their community.

Your efforts will result in:

• Increased Health Literacy: Participants will learn the basics of their healthcare options and how insurance works, helping them feel more confident in making decisions about their health.
• Enhanced Access to Care: You will help guide individuals facing challenges in accessing their healthcare benefits. Whether it's communicating with insurance plans, understanding benefits, or connecting with local providers, your support will make a real difference!
• Improved Health Outcomes: By ensuring participants can effectively utilize their benefits and access necessary services, you'll contribute directly to their physical and mental well-being.
• Successful Reintegration: Your assistance in navigating the healthcare system is a key part of reducing stress and nourishing stability for an increased quality of life for individuals to transition back into their communities.

Performance Results Description

The Position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values.

Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity and Evidence Based Innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Interface and Service

• Facilitate health literacy courses for SRNC participants to enhance understanding of available healthcare benefits and insurance options.
• Explain and assist participants with understanding their insurance coverage, including Medicaid, MCOs, and commercial insurance plans.
• Answer questions regarding healthcare benefits, coverage limits, co-pays, deductibles, and plan specifics.
• Identify and contact current SRNC members enrolled with MCOs to inform them about the care coordination program and how to participate.
• Complete initial assessments for participants and ensure care coordination, referrals and updates are accurately entered into the designated platform.
• Collaborate closely with reentry navigators to exchange updates about participants referred to care coordination services and address any barriers to appointments, coverage, or continued care.
• Support participants in achieving healthcare service plan goals and provide guidance on how to maximize their insurance benefits.
• Assist participants interested in enrolling in healthcare coverage by providing education, support, and guidance throughout the enrollment process.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure compliance with HIPAA and other healthcare regulations.

Stakeholder Outreach and Recruitment

• Attend integrative staffing meetings with MCOs to discuss participant progress and care coordination updates.
• Participate in all internal and external meetings bringing forth innovative ideas and/or feedback supporting continuous quality improvement and service delivery.
• Under the Integrative Reentry Lead’s direction, attend and participate in all identified outreach activities, community events as well as negotiate and establish new relationships with other agencies that welcome and are sensitive to the needs of the formerly incarcerated population.
• Perform other duties as assigned that support the organization’s mission, advance its vision, and reflect its core values.
• Travel to various community sites as needed.

Tracking, Document, and Reporting

• Update the reentry tracker Excel spreadsheet with information on all new MCO referrals.
• Complete all client documentation in real-time of service delivery in electronic health record.
• Engage in supervision with the manager identifying any immediate client needs or barriers to healthcare access.
• Maintain compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and other privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations for clients' protected information.
• All Safer standards are adhered to, including productivity standards.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in social services, healthcare, or related fields, with a focus on Medicaid, MCOs, or commercial insurance plans.
• Strong understanding of healthcare benefits, coverage policies, and insurance terms.
• Ability to clearly explain complex insurance concepts in an accessible and supportive manner.
• Hands-on experience and self-sufficiency with Microsoft productivity tools, including Outlook (for email), Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and online collaboration tools (video conferencing, Zoom/Teams, messaging).
• Effective communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and compliance with healthcare regulations.
• Ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve.
• Skilled in active listening and conveying information to others effectively.
• Skilled in critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making
• Skilled in de-escalation techniques and conflict resolution
• Telephone etiquette skills.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or high school equivalency required.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, or related field is preferred
• At least 2 years of experience working with Illinois Medicaid, MCOs, and commercial insurance required.
• At least 1 year experience providing one-on-one or group-based education, preferably in health literacy or benefits counseling required.
• Comfort using data entry tools, electronic health records, Excel spreadsheets, or referral platforms is required.
• Experience in working on virtual platforms (salesforce, google, DocuSign, etc.) is required.
• Experience completing applications for public benefits is required.
• Skilled in active listening and conveying information to others effectively.
• Skilled in critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making.. 
• Bilingual in Spanish and English is highly desired
• Individuals with direct lived experience welcomed
• Experience working with community-based reentry programs or justice involved individuals preferred
• Experience using software/database to document services and progress notes.
• Skilled in active listening and conveying information to others effectively.
• Skilled in critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and Rule 2060 governing substance use treatment services in Illinois; Knowledge of Rule 132 is a plus.

Licenses and or Certifications:   License Social Worker is a plus.