Crisis Prevention Specialist

Under direction of the Care Team Supervisor & Program Director, the Crisis Prevention Specialist/Care Team Specialist will be participating in a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to client engagement, retention, safety and support for the clients of the DTLA Cecil Hotel Interim Housing Program. The position will interact with staff and clients as a care team member by building rapport and fostering a sense of community.

The DTLA Cecil Hotel Interim Housing Program assists homeless, individuals to recover and improve their quality of life. These individuals may also suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues, sometimes causing behaviors such as yelling, cussing, and outbursts of anger. The role of each staff at JWCH is to assist the client in overcoming barriers and increasing coping skills to decrease negative behaviors and live in PSH successfully.

Principal Responsibilities:

1. Establish a positive rapport with clients and express a concern for their well-being.
2. Demonstrate understanding and practice harm reduction methods.
3. Demonstrate understanding of trauma-informed care.
4. Demonstrate non-violent restraint methods, if needed and only as an absolute last resort.
5. Monitor the floors by walking corridors and perimeter of the building.
6. Maintain a front desk sign in/out sheet for clients, as well as visitors.
7. Search clients and/or visitors belongings when they enter the building.
8. Assist with clients’ room searches and/or temperature control, as needed.
9. Act as floor lead during fire drills and real emergencies, and as lead in performing necessary chair evacuations.
10. Document any client and/or client-staff incidents and submit to supervisor in a timely manner.
11. Answer front desk phone, as needed.
12. Ability to follow all crisis protocol.
13. Escort clients to appointments when needed.
14. Use appropriate de-escalation techniques and seek assistance when required.
15. Demonstrate understanding and awareness of substance abuse and/or negative behavioral health symptoms.
16. Must be able to work extended shifts when emergency situations warrant in a 24 hour 7 day a week setting.
17. Flexibility to adjust with a multiple schedule change, shift change, and days off. Work schedule is subject to change periodically based on the number of Care Team Specialists.
18. Provide supportive communication on incarceration, substance abuse, mental health, and risk behaviors.
19. Maintains the security of confidential documents.
20. Maintains confidentiality at all times.
21. Discusses any client information only with appropriate personnel when related to the care being provided, and ensures these conversations are not near any clients.
22. Self-identifies potentially unsafe systems/processes/situations and takes initiative to report to the supervisor,
23. Performs other duties and tasks as may be required or assigned.

Physical Demands:

1. Stand or walk constantly (for up to an entire shift) on various surfaces (tile, concrete, carpet). Climb stairs, ramps, or ladders occasionally during shift.
2. Must be able to kneel, squat, bend for any duration of time and run if needed.
3. Occasionally bend/twist at waist/knees/neck to perform various duties, including lift or carry up to 80 lbs.
4. Constant use of hands, arms and fingers in reaching/handling/grasping while using radio, phone, notepad, writing reports and other administrative tasks.

Requirements:

1. Minimum high school diploma or equivalency
2. Associates Degree in Social Services preferred
3. Previous experience working with homeless persons.
4. Strong ability to communicate with homeless individuals who are actively participating in substance abuse and other factors related to homelessness.
5. Desire to work with homeless population.
6. Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.
7. Ability to assist with the collection of patient’s valuables.
8. Experience handling confidential documents and detail-oriented.
9. Ability to use email, database program(s) of agency and working knowledge of word processing (Microsoft Word) and spreadsheet programs.
10. Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing
11. Effective written and oral communication and interpersonal skills with ability to deal with all levels of personnel, general public and patients in a professional and effective manner; must be able to use initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
12. Ability to assist with emergency and behavioral health personnel with aggressive patient situations.

*All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce members are recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Employee Benefits:

At JWCH Institute, Inc., we believe in taking care of those who take care of others. If you work 30 hours per week, you’ll enjoy competitive pay and a benefits package that includes:

• A monthly allowance for medical, dental, and vision premiums
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave) and 13 paid holidays
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing plan
• Mileage reimbursement
• Short- and long-term disability plans, life insurance, and more!

Become part of a team where your work matters. Apply today and help us change lives, one patient at a time.

JWCH Institute, Inc Wesley Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer!