PDX Care Coordination Practitioner

Position: Care Coordination Practitioner
Term: Full-time, hourly
Pay: $26/hour + health insurance, paid time off, and other benefits
Location: Portland, OR
Reports To: Care Coordination Manager

Organization Description:

Urban Alchemy is a nonprofit organization with the mission of transforming people and places through respect,
compassion, and love to heal communities challenged by the intersection of extreme poverty, mental illness,
addiction, and homelessness. The name Urban Alchemy references the process of spiritual and social
transformation that our staff engage in - both internally and in practice with all members of the public. Since our
founding in 2018, Urban Alchemy has grown into a thriving social enterprise with over 1,100 employees. We
provide community outreach and engagement, temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness, mobile
bathrooms and showers, and street cleaning services. Urban Alchemy currently operates in the San Francisco Bay
Area, Los Angeles County, Austin, Texas, and Portland, Oregon. Over 95% of Urban Alchemy employees, including
leadership, experienced incarceration and/or homelessness. For more information visit:
alchemy.us/.

Position Summary:

The Care Coordination Practitioner uses the housing first model and trauma-informed care approach to help
adults experiencing homelessness. They conduct assessments and help guests establish and achieve their short
and long-term goals. The Practitioner works with guests to address immediate needs such as shelter, healthcare,
education, employment, benefits, and counseling. They also help guests find long-term housing and connect
them to resources to help maintain their housing and achieve self-sufficiency. The Practitioner makes referrals to
services, advocates for guests, coordinates assistance, and occasionally accompanies guests to appointments.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Position Specific:

• Ensure that interactions with guests are people-centered, solution-focused, and strengths-based
• Use the principles of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and housing first when working with guests
• Practice self-awareness and cultural humility as member of diverse team; be conscientious and sensitive to power and other interpersonal dynamics with other team members
• Build positive relationships and trust with housed and unhoused community members
• Engage with individuals in distress, assess the cause, and use strategies to de-escalate the situation
• Perform wellness checks for guests who requires close attention
• Maintain a caseload of 15-30 guests based on current needs and resources
• Work with guests to complete assessments, identify strengths and resources, and set goals
• Coordinate and monitor referrals to benefits, entitlements, health care, immigration services, employment opportunities, and other community services
• Manage contacts with outside agencies, acting as a guest liaison and support self-advocacy and access to needed/preferred resources
• Coordinate with medical professionals and connect guests with crisis support services as needed
• Enroll guests in benefits using SOAR
• Engage with guest to build a housing service plan and help them set attainable goals
• Assist guests with attaining correct documentation in preparation for permanent housing
• Will help guests navigate the process of applying for and securing permanent housing
• Set up individual files for new guest and ensure documents are secure and HIPPA guidelines followed
• Effectively use systems and tools such as HMIS, to ensure compliance with data standards and record- keeping as required by Urban Alchemy policies, regulatory agencies, and grant requirements
• Document all guest interactions, maintaining accurate notes and reports

Project Specific:

• Provide transportation for guests to get to appointments and make home-visits as needed
• Plan and lead groups and activities for guests based on their needs and interests
• Work flexible hours and/or shifts, weekends, and on-call shifts
• Will support all staff with meeting the needs of guests

General:

• Will treat all Urban Alchemy guests, staff and stakeholders with compassion and respect
• Use emotional intelligence to effectively engage and connect with others
• Adhere to established procedures to provide a safe working environment including complying with OSHA, state, and local regulations as well as Urban Alchemy's policies
• Attend orientation and any additional training required by Urban Alchemy or our funders
• Must wear an Urban Alchemy uniform and ID badge
• Must carry all required safety and communications equipment
• Follow all Urban Alchemy's policies and procedures, including all safety guidelines
• Will complete other duties as assigned in service to our guests and stakeholders

Position Requirements:

Position Specific:

• Sensitivity to individuals with substance abuse and/or mental health issues such as PTSD, psychosis, borderline behaviors, bi-polar, etc.
• Working knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and be able to implement them
• Working knowledge and experience of housing-related services
• Strong knowledge of social services, benefits, and entitlements
• Understanding of housing first, trauma informed care, and harm reduction
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and coordinate with other agencies
• Possess ethical and professional standards and boundaries
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Work well in a team environment with diverse populations while providing excellent customer service
• Ability to work in a high-stress, dynamic environment while maintaining a calm demeanor
• Ability to listen actively and communicate information and resources based on the guests' needs
• Understand barriers that guests might be facing to advocate for them as needed
• Ability to read, understand, and follow instructions, procedures, safety procedures
• Willing to execute tasks in a timely fashion
• Communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to comfortably interact with guests and staff
• Time management skills to coordinate complex tasks in the most efficient manner
• 1+ year of professional experience providing case management services to individuals experiencing homelessness or closely related special needs population, and knowledge of community resources
• High school diploma, GED, or professional training is required, college preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

Project Specific:

• Strong computer skills and the ability to use HMIS and other record keeping software
• Ability to successfully complete training in HMIS and SOAR

General:

• Must be prepared to deal with challenging circumstances related to serving people struggling with poverty, mental health, addiction, and/or homelessness
• Must be able to obtain and maintain background clearance based on Urban Alchemy's policies
• Requires the ability to use a smart phone or tablet to enter data
• Excellent at being reliable, punctual, and dependable
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Lived experience with incarceration and/or homelessness strongly preferred
• Driver's license and a good driving record preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Expected to work in all weather conditions.
• Work may involve exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs
• Standing: 3+ hours per day
• Walking: 3+ hours per day
• Sitting: 3-5 hours per day
• Bending at Waist: less than 2 hours per day

Statement of Non-discrimination:

Urban Alchemy shares a special bond with society's most vulnerable because we see ourselves in their struggle.
When doing our work, we recognize the humanity in those who are struggling and treat them how we once
wished others had treated us. People who have been incarcerated, experienced homelessness and/or come from
marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply because we believe they have unique skills and
abilities to engage with people who are struggling. Urban Alchemy provides equal employment opportunities to
all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin,
disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other
characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Urban Alchemy prohibits discrimination and harassment of
any type.