MEDICAL CASE WORKER II (Housing for Health for Homelessness)

L.A. County Library; California (MO); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in public health is seeking passionate individuals to join their mission in addressing homelessness in Los Angeles County. This role as a Medical Case Worker II involves working within a multidisciplinary team to provide essential services to those in need. With a focus on housing and supportive services, you will play a crucial part in improving the lives of vulnerable populations. If you are driven by a desire to make a difference and possess the necessary skills and qualifications, this opportunity offers a pathway to a rewarding career in public service.

Qualifications

• 1 year experience as a Medical Case Worker I or Bachelor's degree plus 1 year casework experience.
• Valid California Class C Driver License required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services to patients in various healthcare settings.
• Make referrals and collaborate with public and private agencies.
• Conduct workshops and provide counseling in health clinics.

Skills

Interviewing Skills

Counseling Skills

Social Problem Solving

Team Collaboration

Crisis Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT

Open Competitive Job Opportunity - Emergency

EXAM NUMBER

Y9002S-EA

FILING START DATE

Applications will be accepted starting on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM (PT). This examination will remain open until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AT THE TIME OF FILING.

NO OUT-OF-CLASS EXPERIENCE WILL BE ACCEPTED.

The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.

The Department of Health Services (Housing for Health for Homelessness) is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Medical Case Worker II (Housing for Health for Homelessness) vacancies related to the homelessness crisis.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment. Before your initial work period ends, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%. Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Medical Case Worker II (Housing for Health for Homelessness).

ABOUT LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES:

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. Through its integrated system of 25 health centers and four acute care hospitals and expanded network of community partner clinics – DHS annually provides direct care for 600,000 unique patients, employs over 23,000 staff, and has an annual budget of over $6.9 billion.

For additional information regarding DHS please visit www.dhs.lacounty.gov.

ABOUT HOUSING FOR HEALTH PROGRAM:

Housing for Health (HFH) provides housing and supportive services to Department of Health Services (DHS) clients who are homeless and who have complex medical and/or behavioral health conditions. Since its inception, HFH has expanded to provide a continuum of housing and supportive services to unhoused county residents. HFH is now one of the two largest homeless housing and services entities in Los Angeles County.

MISSION:

To advance the health of our patients and our communities by providing extraordinary care.

DEFINITION:

Under professional direction, functions as a member of a medical or psychiatric multidisciplinary team, providing services to patients and clients in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation, residential, or health care facilities.

• Performs a variety of direct services such as assessing adequacy of home support, assisting patients and families in arranging for and accepting nursing home care and extended care facilities, and placing homeless patients in temporary and permanent housing.
• Makes referrals to and works with various public and private health, mental health or other agencies such as the Department of Public Social Services, Department of Children and Family Services, Legal Aid, Public Health Department, Free Clinics, Planned Parenthood organizations, Family Service Agencies, and Community Service Centers to resolve patient's personal and social problems.
• Interviews patients, family members, and friends, to obtain information about home environment, and family relationships that may have a bearing on the patient's medical and mental health, treatment and recovery.
• Utilizes environmental data gathered in relation to the medical or mental health problems to make recommendations concerning the provision of services that will ensure maximum benefits for each patient.
• Places patients suffering with mental or emotional disorders in board and care homes, intermediate care homes, residential facilities depending upon psychiatric reports and personal interviews with patient.
• Keeps informed on community health and welfare resources and the variety of programs offered by each.
• Participates in medical rounds and health care team conferences, shares social information, and evaluates the medical and/or mental health status of patients/clients with other health care disciplines to develop the most effective treatment plan for the patient/client.
• Serves as a trainer to new hires as needed.
• Counsels patients in health clinics regarding family planning and related problems, and makes referrals where necessary for therapeutic abortions, tubal ligations, and vasectomies.
• Conducts on an independent basis, workshops with groups of 10-15 alcoholic in-patients or substance use disordered clients, sets tone of workshop to encourage maximum participation of patients/clients to assist in the identification of drinking or co-occurring substance use problems and to achieve a successful rehabilitation program.
• Provides individual and group informational counseling in mental health clinics or specialized mental health treatment programs for patients/clients regarding problems of independent living.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

OPTION I: One (1) year of experience as a Medical Case Worker I* in the service of the County of Los Angeles.

OPTION II: A Bachelor's degree** from an accredited college or university AND one (1) year of professional casework experience interviewing, counseling, and assisting patients/clients with social problems.

Withhold Information: No withholds will be allowed for this examination. Required experience must be fully met and indicated on the application by the last day of filing.

License: A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Physical Class II - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

SPECIALTY REQUIREMENTS:

*Applicant must hold or have held the payroll title of Medical Case Worker I with the Los Angeles County.

**Applicants must attach a valid, legible copy/image of their Bachelor's degree or official transcripts to their application at the time of filing or email the required documents to the exam analyst at [e-mail] within seven (7) calendar days from the date of filing your application online. Applications submitted without evidence of the required Bachelor's degree will be rejected for not meeting the requirements.

OUR ASSESSMENT PROCESS:

Before the end of your initial work period, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

Please note that ALL information included in the application materials is subject to VERIFICATION at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. FALSIFICATION of any information may result in DISQUALIFICATION.

VACANCY INFORMATION:

The resulting eligible register for this examination will be used to fill vacancies throughout the Department of Health Services (Housing for Health for Homelessness).

AVAILABLE SHIFT:

Appointees may be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

APPLICATION & FILING INFORMATION:

Applications must be filed online only. Many important notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:

For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

FAIR CHANCE INITIATIVE:

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI):

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States.

Department Contact Name: Teresa Ruocco
Department Contact Email: [e-mail]
ADA COORDINATOR PHONE: [phone]
CALIFORNIA RELAY SERVICES PHONE: [phone]