Care Team Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Location:  Downtown, Los Angeles CA 

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 consist 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. 

Principal Responsibilities:

1. Performs job functions as prescribed by established policies and procedures within defined scope of education, training, and responsibilities.
   1. Establish a positive rapport with clients and express a concern for their well-being.
   2. Demonstrate understanding and practice harm reduction methods
   3. Demonstrate understanding of trauma-informed care
   4. Demonstrate non-violent restraint methods, if needed and only as an absolute last resort
   5. Monitor the floors by walking corridors as assigned, and or being rotated.
   6. Maintain a front desk sign in/out sheet for clients, as well as visitors. 
   7. Monitor the front lobby on a 24 hour/7-day basis.
   8. Search clients and/or visitor’s belongings when they enter the building
   9. Assist with clients’ room searches and/or temperature control, as needed
   10. Assist clients with elevator access.
   11. Act as floor lead during fire drills and real emergencies, and as lead in performing necessary evacuations.
   12. Attend each shift change and contribute accordingly
   13. Document any client and/or client-staff incidents and submit to supervisor in a timely manner
   14. Answer front desk phone, as needed
   15. Escort clients to appointments, as needed.
   16. Use appropriate de-escalation techniques; call LCSW or Case Manager for assistance, as needed.
   17. Ability to follow all crisis protocol
   18. Demonstrate understanding and awareness of substance abuse and/or negative behavioral health symptoms
   19. Utilize agency van to transport staff to and from parking structure during dark hours and/or rain
   20. Provide supportive communication regarding incarceration, substance abuse, mental health, and other risk behaviors.
   21. Must be able to work extended shifts when emergency situations warrant in a 24 hour 7 day a week setting. 
   22. On occasion will need to work an additional 4 hours after regular shift or 4 hours before the regular shift if situation warrants. 
   23. 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.
   24. Maintains the security of confidential documents.
   25. 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.
   26. Work with administration to process the following:
   27. Performs other clerical duties
   28. Administrative tasks
       1. Assist clients in walkers and wheelchairs if needed. 
       2. Coordinate with HFH warehouse for all deliveries, and U.S. Mail

1. Maintains confidentiality at all times
   1. Discusses any client information only with appropriate personnel when related to the care being provided, and ensures these conversations are not near any clients
   2. Maintains confidentiality for all documents that contain patient/client identifier information,
   3. Observes and respects confidentiality of information in regards to fellow employees.

1. Responsibility and accountability for adherence to organizational and department standards and policy.
   1. Observes department guidelines concerning absences and reports absences in accordance with departmental procedures,
   2. Self-identifies potentially unsafe systems/processes/situations and takes initiative to report to the supervisor,
   3. Observes department guidelines to conduct personal business during breaks and lunch hour,
   4. Projects a positive professional image and adheres to organizational dress code.
   5. Maintain shift reports and communicate with BH Team when client issues arise
   6. Participates in assigned staff and other meetings, and in-service training meetings
   7. Adhere to all organizational safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
   8. Participate in required safety and compliance trainings and apply learned practices in daily work activities.
   9. Identify, report, and help mitigate unsafe conditions, incidents, or hazards in the workplace.
   10. Use equipment, tools, and supplies safely and responsibly in accordance with organizational and regulatory standards.
   11. Maintain awareness of infection control, occupational health, and emergency preparedness procedures appropriate to the role.
   12. Performs other duties and tasks as may be required or assigned.

1. Physical Demands:
   1. Stand or walk constantly (for up to an entire shift) on various surfaces (tile, concrete, carpet). Climb stairs, ramps, or ladders occasionally during shift. 
   2. Must be able to kneel, squat, bend for any duration of time and run if needed.
   3. Occasionally bend/twist at waist/knees/neck to perform various duties, including lift or carry up to 80 lbs. 
   4. Constant use of hands, arms, and fingers in reaching/handling/grasping while using radio, phone, notepad, writing reports and other administrative tasks.
   5. Adhere to all organizational safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
   6. Participate in required safety and compliance trainings and apply learned practices in daily work activities.
   7. Identify, report, and help mitigate unsafe conditions, incidents, or hazards in the workplace.
   8. Use equipment, tools, and supplies safely and responsibly in accordance with organizational and regulatory standards.
   9. Maintain awareness of infection control, occupational health, and emergency preparedness procedures appropriate to the role.
   10. Performs other duties and tasks as may be required or assigned.

1. Team Work and Interpersonal Skills
   1. Speak effectively with staff, HFH, other agencies, and the public
   2. Assist with client translations as needed
   3. Direct and supportive communication with clients, at all times
   4. Demonstrates courtesy, mutual respect and compassion in dealing with others,
   5. Initiates and presents positive solutions to problems,
   6. Demonstrates effective working relations and works effectively as part of the team to facilitate the organization’s ability to meet goals and objectives,
   7. Demonstrates a willingness to accommodate requirements or changing priorities in the workplace.

Requirements:

1. Minimum high school diploma or equivalency
2. Two years’ experience in behavioral health or social services environment.
3. Previous experience working with homeless persons or population.
4. Strong ability to communicate with homeless individuals who are actively participating in substance abuse and other factors related to homelessness.
5. Desire to work with homeless population.
6. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
7. Ability to assist with the collection of patient’s valuables.
8. Experience handling confidential documents and detail-oriented.
9. Ability to use email, database program(s) of agency and working knowledge of word processing (Microsoft Word) and spreadsheet programs.
10. Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing
11. 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.
12. 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.

Employee Benefits:

At JWCH Institute, Inc., we believe in taking care of those who take care of others. If you work 30+ hours per week, you’ll enjoy competitive pay and a robust benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Monthly employer-sponsored allowance for assistance with health premiums.
• Funded Health Savings Account (up to deductible) to assist with carrier-approved medical expenses.
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave) and 13 paid holidays.
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing plan.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Short- and long-term disability plans (LTD/STD).
• Life insurance policy & AD&D, and more!

Become part of a team where your work matters. Apply today and help us change lives, one patient at a time.

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