The International Foster Care Program provides long-term foster care to unaccompanied alien youth in federal custody and is funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The Medical Coordinator is responsible for coordination and delivery of medical services to all unaccompanied youth. The Medical Coordinator works closely with child’s case manager, the Division of Children’s Services (DCS) Medical Service Team and ORR’s medical claim management and health insurance system. The goal of this position is to implement best practices by assuring clients receive the medical, dental, and mental health services that best suit individual service plans. The Medical Coordinator is responsible for ensuring clients receive their initial physical exam, medical screenings, dental evaluations and vaccinations and corresponding follow up appointments within program deadlines. The person in this position also spearheads community outreach to medical providers to broaden the pool of providers available to youth in federal custody. The Medical Coordinator reports to the International Foster Care DCS Program Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinates with youth across three counties, their foster families, case manager, counselors and medical providers to ensure clients receive all necessary health services; to include advocating for services typically not covered by ORRs health insurance, Point Comfort Underwriters (PCU):
• • Coaching providers on how to properly communicate children’s health care needs to the ORR and PCU so that claims are filed properly.
• Conducts health intake assessment with new program youth and speaks with children when medical concerns arise in order to gather all necessary information. Establish a plan for efficient provision of services
• Provides health education to clients such as proper oral hygiene, nutrition, regular frequency of preventative visits in the US, and other topics to help meet wellness goals and independent living skills.
• Prepares kids for their health appointments by explaining the who, what, when, where, and why of the service in order to relieve possible anxieties that could pose barriers to their seeking medical services in the future
• Inform children of their rights to privacy during appointments and in sharing information as well as their right to deny any services and the possible consequences of that decision.
• Submits Treatment Authorization Requests (TAR’s) through Point Comfort Underwriters (PCU) for approval of all medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health services for children in the program
• Locates and connects with community providers to create memorandums of understanding consistent with Office of Refugee Resettlement billing system.
• Works closely with providers to document symptoms and medical needs with appropriate medical codes and detail.
• Faxes or emails authorizations to billing staff at the clinic where services will be rendered.
• Regularly provides transportation and language advocacy before, during, and after appointments as needed for youth, providers, and parents (foster or biological).
• Acts as liaison between providers and Point Comfort Underwriters to troubleshoot billing difficulties and maintain working relationships to insure future service provision.
• Maintains both a hard copy and electronic medical case file for all youth in the program including additional documentation on ORR’s electronic case management system (UC Portal), revising file organization as needed to comply with contract requirements and updates.
• Maintains familiarization with ORR medical policy in order to review placement referrals and ensure that program is in compliance with federal and contract monitor policy; to include familiarization with the CDC 0-18 Catch-Up Immunization Schedule and state public school required immunizations
• Requests visit summaries, treatment plans, progress notes or other medical records after every health service visit in accordance with HIPAA and state laws relating to minors’ consent to share information
• Creates bilingual health service summaries for youth being discharged from the program
• Develops and administers trainings for staff, foster parents, and community providers on the following topics, as necessary: safe medication administration and storage according to state WAC’s, significant incident reporting procedures, and ORR policies relating to health service provision
• Participates in work-related trainings and attends weekly staff meetings
• Works in a collaborative team environment with case management team and supervisors
• Provide transportation to various legal, medical, education and community appointments and events as needed. Includes occasionally escorting children on flights to various airports in the U.S. for reunification with family.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Medical coordinating schedule permitting, may take on additional tasks such as:

a. Provide 1-on-1 academic tutoring to one or two program youth in the CCS office or meeting them at an accessible, convenient location

• Obtain and maintain American Red Cross or American Heart Association instructor certification
• May provide CPR/AED/FA training in both English and Spanish to CCS staff, foster parents, and program youth (instructor certification required).
• Other duties as reasonably delegated by the supervisor.
  
  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  1. BA/BS in related field (e.g. social work, Public Health, Biology, Human Development, etc.)
  2. Must be Bilingual Spanish/English
  3. 1-2 years’ experience with medical forms and billing
  4. Experience working with youth and families
  5. Good foundation of health-related knowledge
  6. Computer and documentation skills sufficient to perform essential functions
  7. Good written and oral communication skills
  8. Good organizational skills
  9. Ability to maintain accurate files and other necessary client records
  10. Ability to meet requirements to comply and maintain initial, annual, and five (5) year state and federal background checks.
  11. Compliance with initial and annual vaccination requirements.
  12. Must have and maintain reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, driving abstract and current auto registration, with supporting documentation submitted annually.
  13. Must have an acceptable driving record per CCS’ driving policy. (required to provide current driving abstract)
  14. Support and uphold the mission, beliefs and values of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services.
  15. Support and contribute to a creative, collaborative and respectful environment that promotes teamwork.
  16. Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations.
  PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Graduate degree in Social Services.
  • Clinical experience with youth (i.e. direct service provision)
  • Experience with migrant or refugee populations