Community Resource Specialist

Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) is dedicated to serving the needs of the community and is deeply committed to its role in promoting health equity by eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health care in Boston's neighborhoods and surrounding communities. BWH is committed to providing the highest quality of care for all patients and ensuring that patients, in particular the most vulnerable patient populations, receive the highest quality care.

As part of the Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs (VIPP), Community Resource Specialist functions as part of a multidisciplinary team working on the prevention and intervention of violence related intentional injuries in our communities. Prevention strategies include individual and community education, training service providers, promoting collaborations and networks, and addressing change at all levels of the social ecology that influence intentional violence This position is responsible for assisting with the development and continuity of collaborative relationships with community resources for our patients. The Community Resource Specialist is responsible for acting as a liaison between the hospital and various groups and services in the community. The Community Resource Specialist reports into the Clinical Program Director of VIPP.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Indicate key areas of responsibility, major job duties, special projects and key objectives for this position. These items should be evaluated throughout the year and included in the written annual evaluation.

• Provide assistance to patients identified by Emergency Department, Social Work, admitting team, or other members of the multidisciplinary health care team
• Advocates for patients to ensure their safety, physical, legal and financial well-being.
• Support patients to meet their health goals.
• Proactively develops and maintains partnerships with local community-based agencies and programs.
• Maintains the resource database and regularly update staff on new information
• Act as a liaison between the patient, care teams, and community groups and fosters relationships with key contacts in those groups
• Maintain patient confidentiality in all matters.
• Participate in process improvement groups
• community visits
• All other duties as assigned

Program Coordination

Oversight of service delivery, coordination with hospital staff on integration of services, and development and implementation of policies and protocol at BWH for the Violence Recovery Program in consultation with the program manager

Responsible for liaising with Emergency Department, Security and Social Work to define process/workflow when responding to patients of interpersonal violence

Participation in clinical rounds and case reviews as appropriate to ensure consistent standards of practice across departments

Participate in regular interdisciplinary team meetings to develop strategies for better supporting patients with complex care needs

Provides consultation to BWH providers on high risk cases involving community violence and addresses practice issues that relate to the needs of patients and employees of BWH

Collaborate with a diverse array of community service providers including education, employment agencies, mental health services, and violence intervention programs to coordinate services for youth impacted by violence

Refer patients and their families, who need assistance, to the appropriate educational resources regarding health care delivery, health and wellness programs, legal management, government programs, community agencies, public and private organizations, housing options, and other services, as appropriate

Research resources and programs available for patients and their caregivers including but not limited to: disabled and elder housing assistance and programs; legal, financial and insurance resources; health education material

Work collaboratively with providers, Case Managers, Social Workers, CHWs and other staff to support patients which may include, but is not limited to: finding support systems for patients experiencing grief or bereavement; identifying and referring patients to community services such as transportation, Meals on Wheels, day programs; and the coordination of referrals to internal and external resources

Work collaboratively with the City of Boston Neighborhood Trauma Teams to provide ongoing and seamless services for patients in the designated team catchment area

Develop and implement a standardized process of patient hand off to appropriate neighborhood trauma team for seamless patient transition

Serve as lead communication contact for the Boston Public Health Commission and the Boston Trauma Response Team

Program Administration

Serves as a mentor and resource to VRP staff and interns/students

As appropriate, provides day to day supervision of Violence Recovery Advocate and interns/students

Submits all data to ETO within 24 hours of patient contact

Keeps up to date records/calendar of all community engagement and prevention activities to include purpose of activity and target audience

Creates and disseminates monthly call schedule to relevant individuals and Departments, including the On Call Edit team by the 15 th of the month prior

Participates in and contribute to related research activities to increase understanding and grow evidence base around intentional violence and trauma as appropriate

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree preferred; 10 years of relevant community outreach experience may be substituted
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse and at-risk populations
• Knowledge of subsidized and private housing resources and regulations a plus

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Customer focused and patient-centered
• Enjoys being part of a diverse team
• Ability to multi-task
• Comfortable with change
• Ability to work with patients in advising and developing goals
• Must have strong interpersonal skills.
• History of being highly organized, effective multi-tasker, self-motivated and self-directed
• Assessment and problem solving skills
• Ability to identify patient's needs and coordinate with community based services
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to converse comfortably with patients and their caregivers and practice staff.
• Ability to represent the care team and maintain and build relationships in the community
• Knowledge of effective marketing techniques
• Spanish language skills preferred but not required