What are the responsibilities and job description for the Waystation Coordinator position at Opportunity Council?
Use your compassionate customer service, supervisory, care coordination and experience working with the homeless community to help us launch our new Waystation Recuperative Respite Program. Apply today!
Waystation Recuperative Respite Program (Waystation) is a respite emergency shelter for patients discharged directly from PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center (PSJMC) that are experiencing literal homelessness and need recuperative respite placement prior to returning to their current living arrangements. Waystation provides services to individuals with an emphasis on challenges related to severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders.
Oversees all Waystation operations and staff. Provides education, supports self-identified goal setting, and prevention services to respite guests and building operations in Waystation Recuperative Respite Program. Responsible for pre-screening guests being discharged from PSJMC in need of recuperative respite with their daily needs, with a special emphasis on challenges related to severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders. Responsible for daily operations, monitoring of staff, attending meetings, being present for care coordination meetings, daily/weekly/monthly reporting, trouble-shooting all aspects of Waystation operations and building needs, crisis management, guest relationship management, and effective and safe daily building operations. Works closely with guests, program staff and other community providers to support guests as they recuperate and assist with connecting them to additional community services and housing resources.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Supervises Waystation staff ensuring client intake, care, and outtake run smoothly.
2. Supervises client exits and ensures all Waystation discharge steps have been completed/documented.
3. Conduct regular record keeping for waystation staffing and client filing. Ensures all staff credentials, certifications, trainings, and all Releases of Information (ROI’s) and other important or time sensitive paperwork remain up to date.
4. Oversees all functions in facility, including performing intakes/discharges, support kitchen staff when applicable, checking in visiting providers, answering telephones, and monitoring security systems.
5. Visits potential clients of Waystation Medical Respite at PSJMC before discharge is approved.
6. Stays in regular communication with staff members of PSJMC to coordinate/discuss discharges to Waystation. This can include, but is not limited to pre-admission paperwork/needs/pre-set appointments for the client, etc. Works with Discharge Planners and other relevant staff at PSJMC to arrange for clients to go back to the hospital as warranted.
7. Promotes and supports client needs regarding nutritional expectations, as set forth by PSJMC Medical Provider and Discharge Staff.
8. Regularly reviews Needs Assessment and collaborates with clients to agree upon activities during their course of stay that incorporates their medical care plan goals
9. Ensures staff are preparing rooms for visiting partner-providers to meet with clients of Waystation Medical Respite.
10. Remains current with all available resources in Whatcom County.
11. Conducts random walk-throughs of all areas of Waystation Medical Respite to ensure all equipment is safe and in working order.
12. Plan and conduct team meetings, 1:1 meetings, and follows up on employee and client concerns.
13. Supports planning for Waystation Medical Respite client activities.
14. In coordination with management answer calls for donations and other informational requests.
15. Regularly communicates with manager about Waystation operations, needs, ordering, clients, paperwork, trainings, etc.
16. Maintains safety and security by monitoring all general access areas, as well as monitoring cameras daily.
17. Assists clients with medication prompting program, according to Waystation Policy and Procedure, and records all interactions and transactions according to guidelines while maximizing privacy. This may include reporting information into several systems to maintain accurate tracking.
18. Intervenes in crises, responds to emergencies, and initiates action as required, including contact with emergency response systems. Accurately reports incidents following reporting structure in a timely manner and follow up is completed within guidelines.
19. Works cooperatively with case managers and other program and partner staff and assist staff in the coordination of services to guests. Regularly follow up with partners to ensure continuum of care needs are met, and that client is actively engaged in all required services offered and is informed of other services provided.
20. Maintains all databases with support from Opportunity Council’s IS Team, ensures all modes of tracking are accurate and secure, maintains safety for all archived information, and produces required reporting in a timely manner.
21. Supports and advocates for clients to maintain proper hygiene, apply for and accept housing referrals, specialized counseling, employment, medical and mental health services, specialized transportation, and other needed services that promote wellness at Waystation and post client discharge from the Waystation Facility.
22. Provides quality engagements to thoroughly discuss client current and future needs related to housing, budgeting, health goals, case management, and other needs required to successfully discharge from the Waystation Medical Respite.
BILINGUAL POSITIONS ONLY:
Specialize in providing services to clients and families who speak a language other than English as a primary language. May occasionally be asked to support with translating/interpreting a language other than English to assist potential or current clients.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Completes special projects and other related duties as assigned.
2. Continuously abides by all safety policies and procedures at Waystation.
3. Ability to be on-call.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:
1. Minimum 3-4 years of experience in Human Services, Home Care, Assisted Living, Adult Family Home, Skilled Nursing Facility, or Homeless Shelter settings.
2. 3-4 years of direct experience with supervising staff.
3. Preferably experience with the challenges related to homelessness, mental illness, and chemical dependency preferred.
4. Experience coordinating with other professionals and social service agencies with proper Releases of Information (ROI) in place.
5. Prior experience with comprehending and following hospital discharge orders/client needs preferred.
6. Valid Washington State Driver’s License by time of hire. Good driving record. Driving abstract must be submitted upon request.
7. If hiring for a bilingual position. Must be able to speak, read, and write with proficiency and fluency in the required language.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Decision-making skills and ability to creatively problem solve using sound judgment.
2. Demonstrated ability to provide confidential services effectively and respectfully to diverse, low-income populations, including individuals and families in crisis situations.
3. Time management skills including the ability to work independently and prioritize with frequent interruptions.
4. Record keeping skills ensuring the maintenance of up-to-date and accurate notes, and proper maintenance of client files, including the use of multiple databases.
Remote Work: Job is onsite; no remote
We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA individuals, Veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the community we serve. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not permit discrimination based on creed, color, national origin, gender, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, family status, pregnancy, military or protected veteran status, age, genetic status, and/or physical, mental or sensory disability, use of a service animal, and any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. We place a strong value on hiring individuals with lived experiences of, poverty and/or homelessness or who have previously participated in Opportunity Council programs or other social services.
Waystation Recuperative Respite Program (Waystation) is a respite emergency shelter for patients discharged directly from PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center (PSJMC) that are experiencing literal homelessness and need recuperative respite placement prior to returning to their current living arrangements. Waystation provides services to individuals with an emphasis on challenges related to severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders.
Oversees all Waystation operations and staff. Provides education, supports self-identified goal setting, and prevention services to respite guests and building operations in Waystation Recuperative Respite Program. Responsible for pre-screening guests being discharged from PSJMC in need of recuperative respite with their daily needs, with a special emphasis on challenges related to severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders. Responsible for daily operations, monitoring of staff, attending meetings, being present for care coordination meetings, daily/weekly/monthly reporting, trouble-shooting all aspects of Waystation operations and building needs, crisis management, guest relationship management, and effective and safe daily building operations. Works closely with guests, program staff and other community providers to support guests as they recuperate and assist with connecting them to additional community services and housing resources.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Supervises Waystation staff ensuring client intake, care, and outtake run smoothly.
2. Supervises client exits and ensures all Waystation discharge steps have been completed/documented.
3. Conduct regular record keeping for waystation staffing and client filing. Ensures all staff credentials, certifications, trainings, and all Releases of Information (ROI’s) and other important or time sensitive paperwork remain up to date.
4. Oversees all functions in facility, including performing intakes/discharges, support kitchen staff when applicable, checking in visiting providers, answering telephones, and monitoring security systems.
5. Visits potential clients of Waystation Medical Respite at PSJMC before discharge is approved.
6. Stays in regular communication with staff members of PSJMC to coordinate/discuss discharges to Waystation. This can include, but is not limited to pre-admission paperwork/needs/pre-set appointments for the client, etc. Works with Discharge Planners and other relevant staff at PSJMC to arrange for clients to go back to the hospital as warranted.
7. Promotes and supports client needs regarding nutritional expectations, as set forth by PSJMC Medical Provider and Discharge Staff.
8. Regularly reviews Needs Assessment and collaborates with clients to agree upon activities during their course of stay that incorporates their medical care plan goals
9. Ensures staff are preparing rooms for visiting partner-providers to meet with clients of Waystation Medical Respite.
10. Remains current with all available resources in Whatcom County.
11. Conducts random walk-throughs of all areas of Waystation Medical Respite to ensure all equipment is safe and in working order.
12. Plan and conduct team meetings, 1:1 meetings, and follows up on employee and client concerns.
13. Supports planning for Waystation Medical Respite client activities.
14. In coordination with management answer calls for donations and other informational requests.
15. Regularly communicates with manager about Waystation operations, needs, ordering, clients, paperwork, trainings, etc.
16. Maintains safety and security by monitoring all general access areas, as well as monitoring cameras daily.
17. Assists clients with medication prompting program, according to Waystation Policy and Procedure, and records all interactions and transactions according to guidelines while maximizing privacy. This may include reporting information into several systems to maintain accurate tracking.
18. Intervenes in crises, responds to emergencies, and initiates action as required, including contact with emergency response systems. Accurately reports incidents following reporting structure in a timely manner and follow up is completed within guidelines.
19. Works cooperatively with case managers and other program and partner staff and assist staff in the coordination of services to guests. Regularly follow up with partners to ensure continuum of care needs are met, and that client is actively engaged in all required services offered and is informed of other services provided.
20. Maintains all databases with support from Opportunity Council’s IS Team, ensures all modes of tracking are accurate and secure, maintains safety for all archived information, and produces required reporting in a timely manner.
21. Supports and advocates for clients to maintain proper hygiene, apply for and accept housing referrals, specialized counseling, employment, medical and mental health services, specialized transportation, and other needed services that promote wellness at Waystation and post client discharge from the Waystation Facility.
22. Provides quality engagements to thoroughly discuss client current and future needs related to housing, budgeting, health goals, case management, and other needs required to successfully discharge from the Waystation Medical Respite.
BILINGUAL POSITIONS ONLY:
Specialize in providing services to clients and families who speak a language other than English as a primary language. May occasionally be asked to support with translating/interpreting a language other than English to assist potential or current clients.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Completes special projects and other related duties as assigned.
2. Continuously abides by all safety policies and procedures at Waystation.
3. Ability to be on-call.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:
1. Minimum 3-4 years of experience in Human Services, Home Care, Assisted Living, Adult Family Home, Skilled Nursing Facility, or Homeless Shelter settings.
2. 3-4 years of direct experience with supervising staff.
3. Preferably experience with the challenges related to homelessness, mental illness, and chemical dependency preferred.
4. Experience coordinating with other professionals and social service agencies with proper Releases of Information (ROI) in place.
5. Prior experience with comprehending and following hospital discharge orders/client needs preferred.
6. Valid Washington State Driver’s License by time of hire. Good driving record. Driving abstract must be submitted upon request.
7. If hiring for a bilingual position. Must be able to speak, read, and write with proficiency and fluency in the required language.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Decision-making skills and ability to creatively problem solve using sound judgment.
2. Demonstrated ability to provide confidential services effectively and respectfully to diverse, low-income populations, including individuals and families in crisis situations.
3. Time management skills including the ability to work independently and prioritize with frequent interruptions.
4. Record keeping skills ensuring the maintenance of up-to-date and accurate notes, and proper maintenance of client files, including the use of multiple databases.
Remote Work: Job is onsite; no remote
Essential Employee: Yes
Benefits@Opportunity Council
Opportunity Council offers the following benefits to eligible employees:
- Paid time off earned on an accrual basis (vacation, sick, personal holidays)
- Paid time off for wellness needs
- Employer-paid holidays (13 in 2023)
- Employer-paid HDHP and low-cost traditional health care options
- HSA and FSA, subject to plan terms
- Eligibility for Critical Illness coverage
- 403(b) retirement plan (5% employer contribution)
- Eligibility for health coverage for legal dependents
- Eligibility for employee/family dental and vision coverage
- Voluntary benefits such as life insurance, long-term disability, long-term care and personal legal services
Opportunity Council is a private, non-profit Community Action Agency serving homeless and low-income families and individuals. Our mission is to help people improve their lives through education, support, and direct assistance while advocating for just and equitable communities. For over 50 years we have offered a broad scope of services that range from addressing immediate and crisis-oriented needs (food, emergency shelter, eviction-prevention) to longer-term programs that promote self-sufficiency in our community (early childhood education, home weatherization). For more details, please visit our website at https://www.oppco.org.
We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA individuals, Veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the community we serve. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not permit discrimination based on creed, color, national origin, gender, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, family status, pregnancy, military or protected veteran status, age, genetic status, and/or physical, mental or sensory disability, use of a service animal, and any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. We place a strong value on hiring individuals with lived experiences of, poverty and/or homelessness or who have previously participated in Opportunity Council programs or other social services.
