Social Work Field Placement

Social Work Field Placement

Independent Consumer Advocacy Network - Health Initiatives Department

The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) has worked with and for New Yorkers since 1843 to promote economic opportunity and champion an equitable city and state. We power change through a strategic combination of research, services, and advocacy to make New York more livable for people facing economic insecurity. By expanding access to health care, affordable housing, employment, opportunities for individuals with conviction histories, debt assistance, and more, we make a tangible difference in the lives of millions. The New York State Department of Health awarded CSS a five year contract to run the Independent Consumer Advocacy Network (ICAN), the statewide Ombudsprogram for Managed Long Term Care (MLTC). For more information, see http://icannys.org. 

CSS seeks to hire a BSW or MSW candidate who needs to fulfill the requirements of a field placement practicum during the course of an academic year to provide consumer assistance to Medicaid managed care enrollees who need long term care or behavioral health services. This is a permanent posting on the CSS website. Please discuss with your field placement advisor before applying. A stipend of $2,000 for the academic year will be provided.

• Provide information, education, advice, navigational services and appeal representation to beneficiaries on how to enroll into health plans and successfully utilize health insurance and/or care.
• Respond to live calls on the Helpline.
• Promptly call back individuals who have left voicemails on the helpline or who have been referred through other channels and update the database accordingly.
• Conduct research as needed on health insurance policy, benefits, laws and other health consumer rights and responsibilities.
• Maintain thorough case records of services provided, advice, appeals and/or referrals.
• Help identify systemic trends or practices that adversely affect clients and work closely with senior CSS staff and other appropriate stake holders.
• Other responsibilities identified by Supervisor.

Internship Requirements:

• Prior experience working with consumers on health insurance issues
• Ability to type and write clearly, concisely, persuasively and keep detailed notes of all communications
• Strong communication skills
• Research and data based management skills preferred
• Excellent oral communication skills and likes talking on the phone with people.
• Written and spoken fluency in Spanish or a language other than English strongly preferred.
• Intermediate proficiency in computer applications (including Outlook and Microsoft Office) and websites required (we use a web-based secure case management database on the Salesforce platform)
• Ability to provide information in a fair and impartial manner which is culturally and linguistically appropriate, and disability accessible, for the consumers, including individuals with limited English proficiency.
• Ability to project patience, competence, and care for other people's welfare through oral and written communications.
• Currently working remotely 3 days/week. Unless an accommodation is obtained, the candidate is expected to work at CSS’s offices 2 days/week. This may be modified according to the student’s schedule. CSS will provide all equipment necessary to perform the job from home, but the student must use their own internet connection.  

Preferred education and experience

• Experience providing customer service, particularly by phone
• Experience working with older adults and people with disabilities strongly preferred.
• Educational background that includes excellent reading comprehension, organized thought, clear and concise writing
• Training or experience using a variety of computer applications or web tools to work with textual or numerical data
• Experience involving responsibility for actions which directly impact the lives of other people

To apply, speak to your school’s field placement advisor, then submit resume and cover letter to:

Michelle Chu, Esq., mchu@cssny.org, ph 212-614-5320

AA/EOE