Housing Specialist

Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Central City Health is committed to enabling every patient in our community to thrive by building a collaborative multidisciplinary healthcare team. The Housing Specialist is responsible for linking eligible consumers with relevant resources and locating appropriate housing that meets their needs and is consistent with their treatment goals. Under the direct supervision of the Housing Manager/Director, the Housing Specialist works closely with eligible applicants to coordinate and deliver services that focus on the development of living skills needed to increase independence and obtain housing. The Housing Specialist serves as an advocate, providing support and motivation throughout the housing placement process.

Qualifications

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Ensures all actions, job performance, personal conduct and communications represent the organization in a highly professional manner.
2. Completes assessments to determine housing readiness and independent living skills (on an ongoing basis), while concurrently identifying areas where support is necessary to avoid housing instability.
3. Provides intensive case management services including linkages to primary and behavioral health care, substance use treatment and other community-based services and supports/resources.
4. Serves as the primary point of contact in assisting individuals to collect documents necessary for housing placement; required documents may include, government issued identification, Social Security Card, Birth Record, Homeless Verification, Verification of Chronicity, proof of income and/or proof of disability.
5. Provides ongoing follow up, basic motivational interviewing and goal setting with patients/families; engages individuals and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive Housing in integrated settings.
6. Assists individuals in searching for appropriate housing and identifying resources and social supports; assists individuals in resolving clinical and social crises in the setting(s) most conducive to full and rapid recovery.
7. Provides individualized, time unlimited follow along services to assist applicants in sustaining Housing though supportive or non-supportive housing opportunities.
8. Develops a curriculum to assist individuals with independent living skills, including money management, shopping, personal hygiene/grooming, cooking, and laundry.
9. Collaborates with medical, dental, and behavioral health provider staff to manage overall patient health; observes and evaluates conditions, reactions, and changes in the physical and mental conditions of clients; documents incidents that impact an individual’s progress.
10. Acts as a patient advocate and liaison between the patient/family and various community service agencies.
11. Transport and/or accompanies patients as necessary to and from appointments.
12. Assists patients with applying for and securing basic entitlements (social security, food stamps, income support etc.).
13. Provides follow up contact to former program participants to ascertain their progress and offer assistance as appropriate; maintains some contact with individuals even without housing focus, if necessary, to sustain engagement; provides outreach services to individuals that appear to be disengaged from services.
14. Maintains compliance with productivity requirements ensuring timely completion of documentation and data entry (within 24 hours of the kept appointment).
15. Ensures quality and compliance with program outcomes, federal reports, data management, and client records; submits all necessary information as required.
16. Participates in a multidisciplinary care team and identifies problems and provides feedback to team members regarding a solution; meets regularly with treatment team members to integrate independent services into the patient’s Individual Plan of Service.
17. Promotes a seamless program workflow, including assisting with walk-in clients and in crisis situations.
18. Demonstrates compliance with all policies, procedures, and state/federal regulations; participates in the development of agency policies and programs to assure FQHC, NCQA, and other regulatory standards.
19. Takes part in performance improvement activities such as quality improvement audits.
20. Participates in meetings/conferences and continuing education and demonstrates a genuine desire to develop strategies for improved agency operations and high-level patient care.
21. Ensures patients’ rights are always being maintained.
22. All other duties as assigned by Leadership or as indicated by a program or grant/funding source.

For intake and case management services: Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) - Individual with specialized training3 (including fieldwork and/or internships associated with the academic curriculum where the student works directly with persons receiving mental health services as part of that experience) OR one year of experience in treating or working with a person who has mental illness; AND is a psychologist, physician, educator with a degree in education from an accredited program, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, audiologist, behavior analyst, registered nurse, therapeutic recreation specialist, licensed/limited-licensed professional counselor, licensed or limited licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed physician’s assistant, OR a human services professional with at least a bachelor’s degree in a human services field.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related human services field required.
• Valid Michigan LLBSW or LBSW licensure preferred.
• Current Michigan Chauffeur’s Driver’s License required; Candidates who do not have a chauffeur's license, may still apply but must acquire a chauffeur’s license within 30 days of employment. Demonstrated ability to adhere to State of Michigan driving laws, evidenced by maintaining an insurable driving record in accordance with CCH commercial auto insurance carrier required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with the housing/homeless population or Human Service field, preferred.
• Familiarity with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) HUD Exchange preferred.
• Proficient computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office, EHR or other database systems.
• Experience working with patients exhibiting severe and persistent mental illness preferred.
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff and others involved in the delivery of service to patients/members.
• Experience in managing multiple tasks simultaneously and meeting critical deadlines.
• Must maintain confidentiality relating to treatment in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Walking, sitting, driving and/or standing for prolong periods of time may be required
• Normal office environment with exposure to noise, dust, or extreme temperatures.
• Will be required to visit members in their home
• May have close contact with members/patients and/or their living environments which could include potential exposure to contagious diseases, unpleasant odors and/or to bug/pest infestations.
• Able to lift 20 pounds 
• Interacts with a member/patient population exhibiting severe and persistent mental illness
• Must possess and maintain an acceptable background check clearance, certifications, licensures and/or trainings as required by Central City Health, federal/state/county agencies, and other entities