Senior Advocate

002 Sea Mar Community Health Center; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Sea Mar Community Health Centers is seeking a Senior Advocate to learn and implement Community Relations programs, network with local organizations, and connect clients with needed services. You will document all client interactions in PeerPlace and support office operations, including phones and scheduling.

The role requires a BA in social services or related field, 2 years of direct human services experience, and bilingual English-Spanish abilities.

Qualifications

• BA in social services or related field or equivalent experience.
• Two years of paid or volunteer direct human services experience.
• AIRS certification encouraged; social services experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Learn about all Community Relations Department programs to fulfill requirements.
• Network with community services organizations and refer clients to appropriate services.
• Document client interactions in PeerPlace accurately and timely; maintain records.
• Assist with scheduling, filing, and answering phones as needed.

Skills

Bilingual (English-Spanish)

Customer service

Organizational skills

Writing skills

Interpersonal skills

Computer skills

Education

BA in social services or related field

AIRS certification encouraged

Tools

PeerPlace

Job description

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services.

Position Summary

As a team member, the Senior Advocate is primarily responsible for learning about all the Community Relations Department programs to be able to effectively implement and fulfill all the requirements. The Senior Advocate is also responsible to network with community services organizations/programs, and to research/investigate all the available services/resources in order to be able to provide direct services to program clients; and refer them to services that meet the client’s specific needs, ensuring that the services are in line with program/contractual goals. These services may include: transportation, interpretation and translation, assistance with forms completion, and general advocacy on behalf of the client, etc. All client services/contacts will be documented in the electronic data base system (PeerPlace) utilized by the program. File on a timely manner (refer to client records policy) all client personal information in the paper file. The Senior Advocate will also work cooperatively with other program staff in scheduling clients, maintaining accurate and complete client files, billing records, reports, etc.; will assist with answering the phones at the main switchboard (dental building reception area during receptionist’s breaks and lunch and as needed). The Senior Advocate will also perform other office duties as may be deemed necessary and appropriate by the supervisor. The Senior Advocate may be asked, on occasion, to work on weekends; participate in Sea Mar’s or other community sponsored events, etc.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a mission-driven organization, the core values of, and the services offered at Sea Mar are based on the belief that everyone deserves to be respectfully treated in a way that preserves dignity and enhances self-worth. Sea Mar is an advocate for its clients and aims to achieve industry-leading, client-centered, culturally-aware services. Sea Mar employees serve as an extension of this mission and demonstrate their commitment to an excellent client experience by:

• Understanding and empathizing with client needs
• Surpassing client expectations
• Demonstrating a high level of integrity
• Exhibiting compassion and commitment
• Advocating for social justice
• Taking pride in individual work as well as that of the team
• Continually learning to stay current with industry standards, best practices and technology

As a Sea Mar employee, the individual in this position commits to adherence to these values to their utmost ability and endeavors to strengthen and embody this mission daily.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Must possess excellent customer service; interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to appropriately relate to seniors and disabled individual over 18 years of age of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Must possess good organizational and writing skills.
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) required.
• Sensitive to the needs of the diverse Latino/Hispanic population.
• Knowledgeable of computer programs.
• Absence of criminal background is required by law and regulation. Employee’s DSHS Criminal Background Check will be checked prior to employment and biannually and must be without findings that can prevent the employee to continue working or to be employed.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to appropriately relate to seniors of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Excellent verbal and written skills required.
• Bilingual and Bi-literate in the Spanish language.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Basic math skills required in adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. The use of Ten Key adding machine by sight.

REASONING ABILITY

Must be able to guide and assist consumers/ clients/patients, and other employees to appropriate chain of command when addressing employee/client concern(s).

Education and Experience, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, and Medical Screening

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE. BA in social services or related field and two years of paid or volunteer experience providing direct human services or two years or relevant college level courses and four years paid or volunteer experience providing direct human services. For the Senior Advocates who do not meet the education and experience requirements, a waiver will be required. The senior advocates will be encouraged to obtain the AIRS certification. Social Services experience preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS. TB testing as defined by agency policy. Must have up to date automobile, valid Washington State Driver’s License, liability insurance, and a clean (no reckless driving) 3 year driving record report submitted annually, which will be required annually. Must have negative PPD and Hepatitis B screening results. This position must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and is required to maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment.

Additional Requirements. Pre-hire and annual employee health screening required. Annual influenza vaccine required. Only exception is for employees with a medical or religious exemption approved by Administration. Employees with an approved medical or religious exemption must wear a mask at all time during the flu season.

Work Environment

Professional office setting with moderate to high volume of noise i.e. ringing of telephones, fax machine, noise operation of copy machine and conversation background noise.

Physical Requirements

This position requires frequent sitting, and bending as necessary. Occasionally lifting of 25 pounds or less. Clear tone of speech and close/long distance vision abilities required. Frequent use of hand.

Hourly - Hourly Plan, 21.50 USD Hourly

What We Offer:

Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year + 10 paid Holidays
• 401(k)/Retirement options
• an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment

Sea Mar is an equal opportunity employer.

Sea Mar Community Health Centers, founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons regardless of their ability to pay for services.

Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 clinics.