Wellness Access Specialist - Veterans Services

Transition Projects Inc; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Transition Projects Inc. is seeking a Wellness Access Specialist in Portland to help veterans access medical, mental health, and substance use services. The role works with housing case managers to stabilize housing and improve wellbeing.

You will meet clients in the community, coordinate with SOAR for benefits, document activities in HMIS, and support transportation needs as part of a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree in a related field OR one year of social services experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of homelessness, chemical dependency, domestic violence and sexual assault; CADC priority.
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Ability to engage people experiencing homelessness in a trauma-informed manner.
• Computer literacy; ability to maintain client files and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual services to support connections to community resources.
• Meet participants in shelters, provider offices, or residences.
• Lead groups to help access health and behavioral health services.
• Develop knowledge of physical/mental health resources and service providers.
• Coordinate with case managers to be participant-focused and efficient.
• Document services in HMIS and client files.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Trauma-informed care

Communication skills

Computer literacy

Teamwork

Broker with agencies

Education

Associates Degree in related field

One year of social services experience

Tools

HMIS

Word processing

Spreadsheet

Email

Database

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTIONPosition: Wellness Access SpecialistSupervisor: Veteran Support Services ManagerLocation: Mount Scott Office (7916 SE Foster Rd Portland, OR)Hours: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm; some weekend and evening work requiredWage: $29.00 hourly – Eligible for Language DifferentialClassification: Non-Exempt, Union Represented, Full-Time, Benefit EligibleGENERAL RESPONSIBILITIESThis position provides services to assist participants to engage and effectively link to medical, mental health and substance use disorder providers. Working as part of a team of housing case managers and other supportive services to provide support to veteran participants and their households to successfully gain and maintain stable housing.SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIESProvide individual services to participants to support and facilitate connections to community support and resources.Meet with participants in the community which could include shelters, public locations, provider offices, or the participant’s residence.Provide groups to engage, educate, and support participants to access physical health, mental health, and substance use disorder services where needed.Develop comprehensive knowledge of community physical/ mental health resources and substance use disorder services and maintain effective relationships with these providers to assure service availability for participants. Maintain knowledge of available resources for low-income/homeless population and veteran specific resources.Coordinate with case managers and other staff members to ensure services are participant-focused, effective, and efficient.Maintain thorough documentation of participant services including case notes, logs and data collection systems such as Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).Provide transportation or assistance with accessing transportation for participants to meet their health and wellness needs.Coordinate with the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) team to assist participants in obtaining the necessary connections to appropriate providers and medical records for the disability benefits application process.Attend meetings as requested and other duties as assigned.PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:Each Transition Projects employee must:Acquire First Aid/CPR/AED certification within 30 days of hire and be retested biannually thereafter throughout employment.Complete Bloodborne Pathogens and Narcan Training within 30 days of hire and be retested annually thereafter throughout employment.Demonstrate effective communication skills by conveying necessary information accurately, listening effectively, and asking questions when clarification is needed.Demonstrate reliability by being present at work as scheduled, arriving and leaving on time and taking breaks in expected time frames.Interact effectively with people of diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, and sexual orientations and treat each individual with respect and dignity.PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee, with or without accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.Hearing and vision adequate for interaction with participants, interaction with staff and interaction with the general public.Hearing adequate for telephone work. Vision adequate for close work.Hand and finger dexterity adequate to operate standard office equipment.Ability to walk, bend, stand, sit, reach, stoop, pull, squat, kneel, climb stairs and laddersSitting at a desk completing paperwork and working on a computer for lengthy periods.Ability to perform CPR and other emergency life-saving care with the assistance of teammates until emergency responders arrive.Ability to lift 50 poundsMobility to allow responsive traveling to client residences located around the metro area.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSThe right individual for this position has a passion for helping others and a desire to work in an organization that serves people who are experiencing poverty and homelessness.Associates Degree in a related field OR one year of experience in social services required AND the ability to demonstrate understanding of the issues surrounding homelessness, chemical dependency, domestic violence and sexual assault.Demonstrated knowledge of chemical dependency and mental health issues and appropriate treatment resources. Candidates possessing CADC or similar certification will receive priority consideration.Demonstrated ability to engage people experiencing homelessness in a trauma informed manner.Applicants who are themselves veterans will receive priority consideration. Bi-lingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.Demonstrated ability act as a broker with other agencies in developing and providing services to clients; including ability to advocate on behalf of clients for services with other agencies.Up-to-date familiarity of community resources and services available to assist the homeless.Demonstrated knowledge of services available to assist the homeless.Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in the delivery of services to clients.Computer literacy. Demonstrated ability to use word processing, database, spreadsheet, e-mail, and Internet programs.Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and comprehensive client files.Transition Projects, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, source of income, union participation or activities, or any other status legally protected by applicable local, state or federal law.DisclaimerThe above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.