Director of Medical Respite Care

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

City Care exists to do the work few others are willing to do. We believe in the intrinsic 

value of every person. 

It is with love and compassion that we walk alongside neighbors who are often overlooked in 

our community. We provide food for the hungry, relief for the hurting, and hold space for 

complete restoration of lives that have gotten off course. With enough endurance, we witness, 

firsthand, remarkable stories of transformation. 

Still reading? Great! Now more about the position. 

City Care is looking for a builder, connector and experienced leader to help launch and grow our Medical Respite Program. Beginning with a nine-bed pilot and growing into a permanent 40-bed facility, this role will help build a place where people experiencing homelessness can safely recover following hospitalization while staying connected to housing, healthcare and the community supports they need next.

The Senior Director of Medical Respite will lead City Care's Medical Respite team and day-to-day program operations, build the systems and partnerships needed for the program to thrive, and help shape what medical respite care looks like in our community.

This is a non-clinical leadership role. The Senior Director will work closely with City Care's contracted clinical provider, which remains responsible for clinical assessment and treatment, medication management, clinical protocols, licensure and supervision of clinical personnel. The Senior Director is responsible for making sure the clinical and non-clinical pieces work together as one coordinated, person-centered program.

Key Responsibilities

Build + Lead the Program

- Lead the launch, stabilization and continued growth of City Care's Medical Respite Program, beginning with the nine-bed pilot and preparing for transition to the permanent 40-bed facility.

- Build and strengthen the policies, procedures, workflows, staffing structures and day-to-day systems needed to operate a safe, welcoming and effective program.

- Establish program goals and priorities in alignment with City Care's mission, strategic plan and commitment to Housing First.

- Identify gaps, solve problems and continuously improve the program as we learn what works.

- Ensure the program remains grounded in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, dignity, autonomy and respect for every guest.

Program Operations

- Oversee day-to-day non-clinical operations of the Medical Respite Program, including staffing, facility operations, guest experience and overall program quality.

- Coordinate admission, transition and discharge processes with hospital partners, the clinical provider, Housing Navigation and other community partners.

- Ensure referrals are reviewed consistently using established program and clinical eligibility criteria, with clinical eligibility decisions remaining the responsibility of the clinical provider.

- Maintain clear and effective processes for guest orientation, transportation, meals, safety, incident response, grievances, accommodations, housing navigation and connections to community resources.

- Work closely with Facilities, Nutrition, Safety, Human Resources, Finance and other City Care teams to make sure the program has what it needs to operate well.

- Lead non-clinical emergency preparedness, incident review and follow-up in partnership with appropriate City Care leaders and the clinical provider.

- Keep housing at the center of the work, ensuring medical recovery and housing navigation happen alongside one another whenever appropriate.

Team Leadership

- Lead, supervise and develop City Care's non-clinical Medical Respite team, creating clear roles, expectations and accountability.

- Recruit, onboard and retain a skilled, compassionate team prepared to serve guests with consistency, sound judgment and respect.

- Provide regular supervision, coaching, feedback, recognition and opportunities for professional growth.

- Build a workplace culture centered on collaboration, learning, psychological safety and staff wellbeing.

- Ensure staff receive ongoing training in areas including trauma-informed care, harm reduction, de-escalation, boundaries, confidentiality, cultural humility, incident response and working effectively alongside clinical personnel.

- Create meaningful ways for both guests and staff to raise concerns, share feedback and help strengthen the program.

Partnerships + Care Coordination

- Serve as City Care's primary operational partner to the contracted clinical provider, maintaining clear roles, communication practices, escalation pathways and shared expectations.

- Build strong relationships with hospitals, health systems, discharge planners, managed care organizations, public health agencies, medical providers and community partners.

- Develop clear referral pathways and communication practices that support smooth transitions into and out of Medical Respite.

- Work with partners to identify gaps in care and strengthen connections between healthcare, housing and community-based services.

- Represent City Care in meetings, coalitions, presentations and other community conversations related to medical respite.

- Support the development and stewardship of hospital, managed care and other institutional partnerships that contribute to the program's long-term sustainability.

Performance + Sustainability

- Establish and monitor meaningful program outcomes, service standards and performance measures in partnership with City Care's Impact and Engagement team, the clinical provider and other program partners.

- Use data, guest feedback, staff input, incident trends and partner feedback to understand what is working and where the program needs to improve.

- Provide accurate and timely program information and reports to City Care leadership, the Board of Directors, funders and program partners as needed.

- Develop and manage the Medical Respite operating budget in partnership with Finance and the Chief Programs Officer.

- Monitor staffing, expenses, contracted services, supplies and program revenue and respond appropriately when adjustments are needed.

- Support financial and operational planning as the program grows from the pilot into the permanent facility.

- Partner with Advancement and executive leadership to share program outcomes, budgets and information needed to support fundraising and long-term sustainability.

Skills & Experience

We're looking for someone who can build something new while also creating the structure and consistency needed to sustain it. The right person will bring:

- A strong commitment to serving people experiencing homelessness with dignity, respect and a belief in each person's autonomy.

- At least five years of progressively responsible experience in homeless services, healthcare, behavioral health, public health, human services or a related field.

- At least three years of experience supervising staff, leading teams or managing programs.

- Experience launching, building or significantly growing a program, facility, service or community initiative.

- Experience managing budgets, performance measures, policies, partnerships and complex day-to-day operations.

- Working knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, housing-focused services and the barriers experienced by people without stable housing.

- The ability to build strong relationships across healthcare, homelessness response systems and community organizations.

- Strong communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to navigate difficult or urgent situations calmly.

- The ability to work closely with clinical professionals while maintaining clear boundaries between clinical and non-clinical responsibilities.

- A willingness to lead through change, learn as the program grows and build systems that make the work stronger over time.

- A bachelor's degree in social work, public health, healthcare administration, nonprofit management, human services or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience with medical respite, hospital discharge planning, managed care, supportive housing, shelter operations, integrated healthcare, 24-hour residential programs or quality improvement is especially helpful but not required.

Position Requirements

- Medical Respite operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This position will primarily work a daytime schedule but must be available for occasional evening, weekend or urgent needs.

- Regular presence at Medical Respite facilities and meetings with hospital, clinical and community partners is required.

- The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Equal Opportunity

City Care is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse, inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties or responsibilities. Responsibilities may evolve as City Care's Medical Respite Program grows.

Benefits Package:

• Benefits for full-time employees begin on the first day of the month following date of hire.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision and company sponsored 401K plan