Care Team Specialist - Per Diem

JWCH Institute, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 51,038 - 56,337; Full time

Job summary

JWCH Institute, Inc. is hiring a Care Team Specialist in Los Angeles, CA. This full-time role involves working directly with homeless individuals, assisting with safety, support, and engagement through the Pathway Home program.

The Care Team Specialist will execute responsibilities ranging from monitoring residence safety to collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to achieve client success. A compassionate approach and effective communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience in behavioral health or social services environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
• Experience handling confidential documents.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients with maintaining safety in the residence.
• Establish a positive rapport with clients.
• Document incidents and report to supervisors.

Skills

Effective communication

Behavioral health knowledge

Crisis management

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Database software

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time 100% Los Angeles, CA, US

Salary: $51,038.00 To $56,337.00 annually

Shift Schedule: Per Diem (Hourly as Needed)

Position Purpose

Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Care Team Specialist will be participating in a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to client engagement, retention, safety, and support. The position will interact with staff and clients as a care team member by building rapport and fostering a sense of community.

The Pathway Home program is an Interim Housing program that assists homeless individuals to recover and improve their quality of life. These individuals may also suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues, sometimes causing behaviors such as yelling, cussing, and outbursts of anger. The role of each CTS staff at DTLA is to assist with safety of each residence. Each CTS during shift is expected to use our electronic tagging system to check all perimeters of the building including the top floors.

Program Population

The Pathway Home Housing Project is a HFH funded program, operated by JWCH. The team consists of a cohesive team of MSW, case managers, site monitors and other professionals who collaborate to provide housing and critical services to People Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) and those who have previously experienced homelessness. The clients/residents may come with behavioral and/or substance abuse issues. The program utilizes the Harm Reduction Model and we "do whatever it takes" to encourage success of the client.

Responsibilities

• Perform job functions as prescribed by established policies and procedures within defined scope of education, training, and responsibilities.
• Establish a positive rapport with clients and express a concern for their well‑being.
• Demonstrate understanding and practice harm‑reduction methods.
• Demonstrate understanding of trauma‑informed care.
• Demonstrate non‑violent restraint methods, if needed and only as an absolute last resort.
• Monitor the floors by walking corridors as assigned, or being rotated.
• Maintain a front desk sign‑in/out sheet for clients, as well as visitors.
• Monitor the front lobby on a 24 hour/7‑day basis.
• Search clients and/or visitor’s belongings when they enter the building.
• Assist with clients’ room searches and/or temperature control, as needed.
• Assist clients with elevator access.
• Act as floor lead during fire drills and real emergencies, and as lead in performing necessary evacuations.
• Attend each shift change and contribute accordingly.
• Document any client and/or client‑staff incidents and submit to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Answer front desk phone, as needed.
• Escort clients to appointments, as needed.
• Use appropriate de‑escalation techniques; call LCSW or Case Manager for assistance, as needed.
• Follow all crisis protocol.
• Demonstrate understanding and awareness of substance abuse and/or negative behavioral health symptoms.
• Utilize agency van to transport staff to and from parking structure during dark hours and/or rain.
• Provide supportive communication regarding incarceration, substance abuse, mental health, and other risk behaviors.
• Must be able to work extended shifts when emergency situations warrant in a 24 hour 7‑day a week setting.
• On occasion will need to work an additional 4 hours after regular shift or 4 hours before the regular shift if situation warrants.
• Flexibility to adjust with a multiple schedule change, shift change, and days off. The work schedule is subject to change periodically based on the number of Care Team Specialists.
• Maintains the security of confidential documents.
• Work in various environments including adverse outdoor conditions such as cold, rain or heat. Must be able to work in all areas of the building.
• Work with administration to process the following:
  • Perform other clerical duties.
  • Administrative tasks.
  • Assist clients in walkers and wheelchairs if needed.
  • Coordinate with HFH warehouse for all deliveries, and U.S. Mail.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times: Discuss client information only with appropriate personnel when related to care being provided, ensure conversations are not near clients; maintain confidentiality for all documents that contain patient/client identifiers; observe respect for fellow employees’ confidentiality.
• Responsibility and accountability for adherence to organizational and department standards and policy: Observe department guidelines concerning absences, report absences in accordance with procedures, self‑identify potentially unsafe systems/processes/situations and report to the supervisor, conduct personal business during breaks and lunch hour appropriately; project a positive professional image and adhere to dress code; maintain shift reports and communicate with BH Team when client issues arise; participate in assigned staff and other meetings, and in‑service training meetings; adhere to all organizational safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements; participate in required safety and compliance trainings; identify, report, and help mitigate unsafe conditions, incidents, or hazards in the workplace; use equipment, tools, and supplies safely and responsibly; maintain awareness of infection control, occupational health, and emergency preparedness procedures; perform other duties as required or assigned.
• Physical Demands:
  • Stand or walk constantly for up to an entire shift on various surfaces (tile, concrete, carpet).
  • Climb stairs, ramps, or ladders occasionally.
  • Must be able to kneel, squat, bend for any duration and run if needed.
  • Occasionally bend/twist at waist, knees, or neck to lift or carry up to 80 lb.
  • Constant use of hands, arms, and fingers in reaching, handling, grasping while using radio, phone, notepad, writing reports and other administrative tasks.
  • Adhere to all organizational safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
  • Participate in required safety and compliance trainings and apply learned practices in daily work.
  • Identify, report, and help mitigate unsafe conditions or hazards in the workplace.
  • Use equipment, tools, and supplies safely and responsibly.
  • Maintain awareness of infection control, occupational health, and emergency preparedness procedures.
  • Perform other duties and tasks as may be required or assigned.
• Team Work and Interpersonal Skills
  • Speak effectively with staff, HFH, other agencies, and the public.
  • Assist with client translations as needed.
  • Direct and supportive communication with clients at all times.
  • Demonstrate courtesy, mutual respect, and compassion in dealing with others.
  • Initiate and present positive solutions to problems.
  • Demonstrate effective working relations and work as part of the team to facilitate the organization’s ability to meet goals and objectives.
  • Demonstrate willingness to accommodate requirements or changing priorities in the workplace.

Requirements

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalency.
• Two years’ experience in behavioral health or social services environment.
• Previous experience working with homeless persons or population.
• Strong ability to communicate with homeless individuals who are actively participating in substance abuse and other factors related to homelessness.
• Desire to work with homeless population.
• Ability to assist with the collection of patient’s valuables.
• Experience handling confidential documents and detail-oriented.
• Ability to use email, database program(s) of agency and working knowledge of word processing (Microsoft Word) and spreadsheet programs.
• Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
• Effective written and oral communication and interpersonal skills with ability to deal with all levels of personnel, general public and patients in a professional and effective manner; must be able to use initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Ability to assist with emergency and behavioral health personnel with aggressive patient situations.

All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce members are recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

JWCH Institute, Inc + Wesley Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity and Fair Chance Employer.