Description

JOBTITLE: BENEFITS SPECIALIST

MAIN FUNCTION:

Is responsible for employee benefit and retirement administration to include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-and long-term disability, and retirement plans. Reports directly to the Benefits Director.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of Arnot Health benefit plans and programs to provide general customer service and make recommendations.
2. Maintains thorough knowledge of regulatory implications on benefit and retirement plans by participating in professional activities to keep abreast of changes in benefit administration to include pending legislation and legal.
3. Ensures accuracy of and as needed enters all necessary benefit enrollments/terminations in the HRIS and vendor platforms to maintain accurate eligibility information.
4. Advises and assists employees with interpretation and application of Arnot Health benefits (i.e. claims processing, waiting period, qualifying events, covered expenses) and assisting with issues pertaining to these.
5. Assists with successful new-hire orientations and open enrollments.
6. Provides current educational tools and programming to employees and managers on the various leaves, applicable regulations, process, retirement, and general benefit information to include enrollment materials.
7. Assists with completing regulatory mailings and filings, such as the Affordable Care Act and 5500s.
8. Maintains a thorough understanding of all employer, State, and Federal leave laws as it relates to leaves of absence and all other regulations/legislation, as it relates to benefits and retirement. Leaves of absence include FMLA, ADA, NY Paid Family Leave, and NY Paid Sick Leave. For leave accommodation requests and determinations as applicable.
9. Responds to retirement plan inquiries as it relates to enrollments, plan changes, contributions, etc.
10. Completes various government and employee requested forms such as medical supports, Medicare verifications, and DSS.
11. Responsible for any necessary entry needed to ensure the accuracy of leave payments due to the employee, as well as any benefit premiums due from the employee.
12. Responsible for the filing of life insurance claims and assisting employees and/or beneficiaries.
13. Communicates with employees, managers, and key stakeholders on leave statuses as necessary.
14. M anages vendor relationships in support of employee benefit and retirement plans and programs.
15. Supports functions for Workers Compensation claim filing, reporting, communications, for and between the employee, employer, and third-party administrators.
16. Preserves confidentiality of employee medical documentation and files.
17. Responsible for reporting on benefits, retirement, leaves, and workers compensations as necessary for analysis and understanding to key stakeholders.
18. Employee understands and demonstrates the importance of satisfying the needs of the customer/patient by interacting with him/her in a friendly and caring way, being attentive to the customer's needs, both psychologically and physically, and by taking the initiative to maintain communication with the customer in order to provide a secure and pleasant experience.
19. It is understood that this lists typical duties for the classification and is not to be considered inclusive of all duties, which may be assigned.

EDUCATION:

Associates degree required. Bachelors Degree in HR or related field preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum three years preferred experience with Benefits, Human Resources, and leaves of absence.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Ability to use a broad range of IT applications including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG), and those used in partnership with vendors and partners. Ability to enter, modify, format, and retrieve data.
• Excellent Customer Service skills in written and verbal communications
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) REQUIREMENTS:

No CPR required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Frequently lifts up to 5 pounds, occasionally lifts 20 pounds.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time.

EXPOSURE CATEGORY:

Category III. No exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. And Category I tasks are not a condition of employment .