On-Call Health Worker I - SOMA Rise

On-Call Health Worker

HealthRIGHT 360 gives hope, builds health, and changes lives for people in need by providing comprehensive, integrated, compassionate care that includes primary medical care, mental health services, and substance use disorder treatment.

This is a union eligible position.

HealthRIGHT 360, a nonprofit organization and a family of programs, is committed to providing accessible and comprehensive healthcare services to vulnerable populations. Our mission is to tackle systemic barriers to healthcare and promote health equity for all. We offer a wide range of services, including mental health care, residential and outpatient substance use treatment, and primary health services. Additionally, we provide transitional support for individuals re-entering the community after involvement in the criminal justice system. By integrating physical and behavioral health, we empower individuals to overcome challenges by addressing social determinants of health, fostering resilience, and facilitating recovery.

SOMA RISE program has participants from the age of 18 and over, who are under the influence of substances and need short term assistance and support. The team works to engage participants in health resources, however great or small. The program will operate in a 24-hour, welcoming, compassionate, trauma-informed, culturally attuned, and user-responsive space that focuses on the principles of harm reduction. Alongside providing a safe, comfortable space for clients, our emphasis is on supporting people at increased risk of substance use-related high-risk behaviors and trauma, homelessness, and death due to overdose. Priority will be given to clients' safety, and all staff will be trained in OD Prevention, Recognition, Response and Narcan Administration.

The On-Call Health Worker in the SOMA Rise program provides direct care, engagement, support, and documentation for participants in the HR360 SOMA RISE program. As a part of a collaborative team, along with EMTs, Supervising Health Workers, and Safety Monitors, On-Call Health Worker Is will ensure participant safety and comfort while supporting them in adhering to the participant guidelines of the program. The team works to engage participants in health resources, however great or small. Health Worker I will model and demonstrate healthy COVID transmission prevention behaviors, wearing appropriate PPE and practicing physical distancing, while they observe and monitor participants, and support them in meeting their needs in accordance with the program. Health Worker I will be required to complete and approve program documentation and assist in connecting our participants to ongoing services and support, and others as they arise.

The On-Call Health Worker may be required to work nights and weekends. The On-Call Health Worker may also be designated to fill the role of Health and Safety Representative including monthly safety training, emergency drills, maintaining safety supplies, updating emergency response plans, and attending safety meetings.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Service Responsibilities:

• Treat program participants with respect and dignity, interacting with them in a caring, non-judgmental manner, utilizing harm reduction and trauma-informed care principles.
• Engage participants in compassionate ways to build motivation toward health initiatives in their own lives.
• Respond to participants' needs, ensure that SOMA RISE protocols are being addressed, and, to respond to crises (e.g., conflict) and overdose with crisis de-escalation interventions and Narcan.
• Attend to SOMA RISE program milieu to help maintain safe space for participants.
• Verbally de-escalates tense, high-pressure, and emotionally charged situations.
• Provide health education and support in accordance with harm reduction principles.
• Work as an active team member along with EMTs, other health workers, janitors, safety monitors, and supervisors to maintain safety, calm tone, and cleanliness of program.
• Complete SOMA RISE program intakes by welcoming people, informing them of program norms/parameters/resources, and documenting their participation.
• Monitor SOMA RISE safety adherence and general well-being of all participants and call 911 when needed.
• If necessary, to provide proactive "warm handoff" referral and linkages for participants to hospital care, substance use treatment, health, and social services.
• Chaperone "fresh air" breaks, "smoking breaks", on-site food delivery service, and other onsite services.

Administrative/Compliance Responsibilities:

• Engage with community partners around participant referrals.
• Complete observation logs, document rounds and observations of the milieu, and every 30 minutes for those sleeping.
• Attend internal program staff meetings and administrative supervision including regular shift meetings and various ad hoc meetings.
• Along with the Team, take ownership to ensure the overall quality of customer and health services at program.
• Fill the role of Health & Safety Representative including monthly safety trainings, emergency drills, maintain safety supplies, update emergency response plan, and attend safety meetings.

Training Responsibilities:

• Participate in ongoing trainings on radical hospitality, harm reduction, OD Prevention/Narcan Administration, anti-stigma, crisis response and de-escalation.
• Basic drug knowledge, motivational interviewing, customer service, trauma-informed service provision, team-based care, and other related topics.

And perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Certification, and Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• First Aid and CPR certification.
• Experience working successfully with diverse populations specifically with issues of substance abuse, mental health, criminal background, and other potential barriers to economic self-sufficiency.
• Experience working with people who use drugs and people experiencing homelessness.

• Overdose Prevention and Narcan Administration trained within 30 days of employment.

• We value a lived experience of homelessness, illicit drug use, and alcohol use.

• Proficiency with harm reduction, restorative justice, and trauma-informed care.
• Demonstrate strong multi-tasking abilities.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of trauma informed care/treatment, co-occurring disorders, and harm reduction services.
• Knowledge of substance use and health concerns of people who inject drugs and use substances, and who are experiencing homelessness.

• Knowledge of Clinical documentation (treatment plans, progress notes, etc.).
• Knowledge of co-occurring disorders and trauma informed treatment.
• Overdose prevention and Narcan administration.

• We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
• Must complete a background check and livescan.