Client Intake Specialist

Client Intake Specialist

Employer:

Lutheran Family Services

Full-Time

The Client Intake Specialist supports individuals and families in accessing behavioral health and community services. This role guides clients through the intake process, reduces barriers to care, connects them to appropriate support, focuses on early engagement, screens for urgent needs, and helps clients navigate systems from first contact to their initial appointment.

• Conduct screenings to identify economic, psychosocial, and safety-related needs, including housing instability, food insecurity, mental health crises, and substance use.
• Identify and respond to urgent safety needs, collaborating with clinical or crisis teams when risk factors are present.
• Provide outreach to clients to facilitate their engagement in services and offer additional support so they can engage in treatment and live successfully in the community.
• Connect clients to community services, including medical, behavioral, residential, entitlement, and/or any other needed services.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure coordination of care and reduce duplication of effort for clients.
• Assist clients with completing LFS registration forms, including support with , insurance, and documentation gaps.
• Assist clients with connecting to services via in-person or telehealth.
• Educate clients about their rights, available services, and how to navigate systems, including use of digital tools like the client portal.
• Provide warm, trauma-informed introductions to programs and staff, ensuring clients feel welcomed, heard, and supported.
• Coordinate external referrals for client treatment and services based on recommendations from intake assessment.
• Maintain documents, records, statistics, and other related reports in an organized, timely, and accurate manner in accordance with policy and procedure.
• Offer insight to team members about relevant community programs and partners.
• Provide support to other staff with assigned duties and responsibilities, as needed.
• Gain training and maintain proficiency with de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques.
• Establish and retain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others to foster teamwork, set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

• Excellent communication (verbal and written), interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, critical thinking skills, and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Ability to adapt in a rapidly changing environment.
• Regular and predictable attendance, and promptness for work.
• Commitment to uphold the mission, vision, and values of Lutheran Family Services.
• Support Lutheran Family Services in the organization’s objective to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace.

• Empathy
• Helping Others
• Critical Thinking
• Organizational Skills
• Relationship Builder

• 2 years’ post-secondary education in Human Services or a related field is required. Additional relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• At least 2 years’ experience performing direct client support roles within behavioral health, social services, or related settings is required.
• Demonstrated experience in crisis intervention, de-escalation, and guiding individuals through complex processes is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated skills and competencies to work with individuals regarding a variety of behavioral health needs.
• Bilingual in English and another language preferred. Desired languages mirror our client populations and may include Spanish, Arabic, and/or Kurdish.
• Knowledge of community services organizations and related human services.

• Work environment is predominantly in-office and in the field.
• Valid driver’s license, liability auto insurance, and ability to drive personal vehicle for work.
• Travel to various locations to support client services, as needed and as applicable by region.
• Company-issued laptop.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and/or weekends (as needed).
• Occasional lifting of office items no more than fifty (50) pounds.

Lutheran Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of age, race, religion, color, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

Omaha, NE