Job Description

Job Location: Main Campus - San Diego, CA 92111
Position Type: Full TimeEducation
Level: High School
Salary Range: $20.00 - $25.00 Hourly

Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Professional ServicesBy joining the San Diego Center for Children, you will empower children and families through transformative mental health care and educational services. Our vision is to inspire a world where children and families live joyful, healthy lives. We serve over 1,000 people every day - are you ready to make an impact?
Join us - and work with purpose!
POSITION BENEFITS
- Team-oriented, Multidisciplinary Approach
- Ongoing, High-Level Learning and Development Opportunities
- Culturally Diverse Environment
- Joint Commission Accredited Organization
- Comprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet)
- Retirement Savings Plan: 403(b) - With Employer Match Up To 3%
- Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays)
- Wellness Programs
- EAP - Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Discounts For Those Pursuing a Higher Education
- Employee Discounts
- Employee Recognition Program
- Opportunities for Career Advancement
- May Be Eligible For State or Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs For Work With Underserved Populations
- All Offsite Programs Have a Bonus Structure
SUMMARY
The Referral and Benefits Coordinator serves as the first point of contact for families and professionals seeking therapeutic and educational services at San Diego Center for Children. This position plays a critical role in ensuring timely access to services by conducting initial referral screenings, verifying insurance or funding eligibility, and connecting families and professionals to the appropriate programs within the organization.
Working closely with the Admissions Team, the Referral and Benefits Coordinator helps ensure a smooth and welcoming intake process for all incoming families. This is a dynamic position that requires strong organizational skills, the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, and excellent communication with diverse stakeholders including clients, colleagues, managers, directors, and community partners.
Success in this role requires flexibility, patience, attention to detail, and the ability to provide compassionate and professional support to families navigating mental health services.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Other Duties May be Assigned)
- Conduct initial screenings of referrals from parents, guardians, and professionals for fee-for-service mental health programs including Residential Treatment, Wraparound, Intensive Outpatient (IOP), Partial Hospitalization (PHP), and Outpatient Services.
- Maintain a thorough understanding of all programs and services offered by the agency, including eligibility requirements and funding sources.
- Effectively communicate service options and program eligibility to families and referral partners.
- Assist the Admissions Department with the admissions process, including determining insurance eligibility and verifying benefits.
- Coordinate with the Finance Department regarding insurance coverage, authorization requirements, and financial responsibilities.
- Support the Admissions Associate in processing new admissions and completing required documentation.
- Respond promptly to phone calls, emails, and electronic referrals regarding services across the agency.
- Coordinate and verify insurance benefits and financial eligibility for multiple levels of care, including Residential Treatment, Intensive Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization, and Wraparound services.
- Collaborate with the Finance Department to communicate financial options and obligations to families.
- Maintain accurate financial documentation and client records.
- Utilize the electronic health record (EHR) system to enter referral and insurance information accurately.
- Assist with special projects and assignments as directed by the Admissions Manager.
- Maintain regular communication with program leaders and department heads regarding incoming referrals and service availability.
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REQUIRED TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Employees are required to complete and maintain all mandatory agency trainings and certifications in compliance with organizational policies, licensing requirements, and applicable regulations. Additional trainings may be assigned based on program requirements, job responsibilities, or regulatory updates.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business procedures, professional journals, clinical information, or licensing regulations;  Ability to write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals;  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public; ability to present at professional and community forums.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables; Ability to summarize, interpret, synthesize, and articulate varied and abstract empirical and clinical information.
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 regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee is occasionally required to taste or smell.  The employee must occasionally restrain a child when clinically necessary.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 exposed to outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
- The San Diego Center for Children is committed to:
- Actively recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse staff at all levels of the organization
- Ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in the development and implementation of policies, practices and services, and that individuals feel empowered to advance our mission within an atmosphere of trust, safety, and respect
- Encourage and provide access to professional development in order to deliver equitable and culturally informed services to the population we serve.

QualificationsMINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Valid California driver's license
- High School diploma or GED or foreign education equivalent
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience in medical or mental health benefits coordination, healthcare intake, or insurance verification
- Strong customer service skills with the ability to work compassionately with families experiencing mental health challenge
- Working knowledge of commercial insurance plans and benefit
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s Degree (BA or BS) from an accredited four-year college or universitY
- Bilingual Spanish language proficiency, particularly in a healthcare setting
- Experience working with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems
- Experience in behavioral health or mental health service settings