Community Health Worker - Social Services

I.

Employment Details Timeline:

We are expecting to complete interviews for this role May 20th

• May 22nd and hiring the last week of May.

We will be looking for candidates who can start by June 1st.

Role Tile:

Community Health Worker ("CHW", "Community Healthcare Worker", "Care Coordinator")

Pay:

$24

• 26 per hour.

Benefits:

Eligible for paid training, paid sick leave, and holiday pay, as applicable. Full-time employees are eligible for health, dental, and vision beginning the first day of the month following their hire date.

Hours:

35 hours per week, full-time with some schedule flexibility; typically, a 7 hr. shift, Monday-Friday between 9am-6pm. Some mandatory meetings, training, organization events or program needs may require attendance outside of regular working hours, including occasional weekends, or off site.

Background Check:

As a non-profit social service provider, OlyMAP is dedicated to upholding our mission in our services and as an employer, including providing job opportunities to people with non-traditional backgrounds. OlyMAP encourages individuals with a criminal history to apply, however, as a provider of services to vulnerable adults, OlyMAP requires all candidates to complete a background check. Individuals with criminal histories involving the abuse, abandonment, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable individuals, or registered sex offenders, will be ineligible for employment.

Location:

This position will require working primarily out of OlyMAP's HQ office, located beneath the First Christian Church in Olympia WA, and will require frequently outreaching to and working out of unsanctioned camp communities, tiny home villages, other professional/ community locations in the area, such as public venues, parks, schools, place of business, other provider locations, government buildings, etc.

Physical Demands:

While this position will require office-based/desk and indoor work, it will also require working outdoors regularly and for the majority of some shifts. Working outdoors may expose workers to cold or inclement weather/the elements. Preparing to perform outreach, providing basic needs supplies, and accessing encampments and participant outreach locations may include:

• Standing or walking for long periods of time.
• Extensive walking or hiking on uneven terrain.
• Regular bending, stooping, kneeling, or twisting.
• Lifting and carrying up to 25lbs of equipment or supplies.

This list is representative of expected physical demands, but not exhaustive. Candidates for this position should be able to perform these tasks with or without reasonable accommodation. If you require reasonable accommodation, please speak with the hiring manager about options. Olympia Mutual Aid Partners is an equal opportunity employer. If you require reasonable accommodation for the application process, please contact OlyMAP's HR department. II. Program Overview About Us OlyMAP is an Olympia-based nonprofit whose mission is to support equitable access to safe, just, and warm places to call home for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Thurston County. Project Summary The Roving Outreach & Camp Support program umbrellas our Community Health and Safer Spaces programs, including Community Health Workers ("CHWs"), Site Support Workers ("SSWs"), and the blended Community Health & Support Worker ("CHSWs") roles. These outreach teams provide a range of services dedicated to reducing harm associated with unsheltered homelessness and promoting health and stability, both for people experiencing homelessness, and the broader community. Safer Spaces focuses on shelter-in-place supplies and services and promotes environmental health through safe burning, clean water, and trash removal. In partnership with the CHOICE Network, OlyMAP is contracted to provide Community Health outreach services that connect our participants with resources that support their health, stability, and safety. This program plays a crucial role in collecting the data points that create our evidence based practices, and prove a vital link between the services we provide, such as temporary shelter, shelter-in-place, housing first practices, harm reduction, advocacy, social support, and overall community health. III. Role Description Reasonable Expectations OlyMAP acknowledges that a job description cannot reasonably encompass every detail and responsibility associated with a role. This role description is intended to serve as a fair and reasonable outline of expectations and is to be interpreted and applied by all parties in good faith. General Responsibilities All individuals working with or for OlyMAP should be aware of, and comfortable with, the needs of working in a social work setting. This includes, but is not limited to interacting with, providing care for, and upholding boundaries with participants, visitors, stakeholders, and other individuals in the communities we serve, some of whom may not exhibit traditional social patterns of behavior or formalities. Community Health Workers ("CHWs") are supervised by OlyMAP's outreach program managers and work in conjunction with them, and other staff or partners as needed, to provide care coordination to unhoused and housing insecure individuals in Thurston County. CHWs are responsible for assisting with basic day-to-day outreach operations as part of the outreach team as well as completing all care coordination duties as required by OlyMAP's contractual agreements. CHWs will provide connections between our participants and health care systems, health education and information, community support and resources, advocacy, and other self-determined social services. CHW's work with the aim of supporting individuals in reaching their personal goals and self-identified needs related to social, health, and stability services, and paths to improved shelter or permanent housing. CHWs are expected to fulfil all job duties with direction and support from their supervisor but will also be expected to be able to work and meet their goals independently. Additionally, they are expected to participate in teamwork, team activities, and OlyMAP team activities as needed or assigned. All job responsibilities and duties of the CHW must be carried out in accordance with OlyMAP policy and procedures, mission, values, and philosophies, and in accordance with all contractual obligations. In the instance that OlyMAP policy or procedure does not cover a necessary job duty, all OlyMAP employees are expected to center OlyMAP values and comport themselves responsibly, ethically, and using good judgement.

Community Health Worker Core Responsibilities Participant Care Coordination :

Build connections and rapport with participants to offer care coordination, advocacy, and service connections. Maintain strong working relationships with participants and partner staff to ensure effective follow-up and continuity of care throughout each referral process. Work with participants on their caseload to conduct strength-based assessments related to health, housing, and social service needs/barriers and make individualized, referrals to providers and resources to create paths that are sustainable, participant-led and self-determined. Services and goals that may be a part of individual paths include, but are not limited to housing placement, shelter placement, employment, education, ID obtainment, obtaining/maintaining disability income such as SSI/SSDI/ABD/WIC, and connection to dental, medical, vision, hygiene, caregiving, legal, transportation, mental health, and substance use services. CHWs uphold OlyMAP's values by meeting people where they are at to provide services. This means CHWs may be required to perform outreach wherever participants need resource connections, including encampments, tiny home villages, in public locations like sidewalks, street corners, bus-stops, supportive housing, medical facilities, and any other reasonable location. Building connections and rapport may involve handing out basic needs, survival supplies, harm reduction supplies, or providing basic site-support. CHW's may need to transport participants to care related appointments using company vehicles.

Caseload Expectations:

Fully trained, full-time CHWs outside of their 30-90 day probationary period are expected to manage a caseload of at least 45 participants, with adjustments based on needs and risk categories. Our contract holder determines what qualifies a participant to be considered on a CHWs caseload, including a completed Visit Form monthly. These minimums must be met, as well as following all pathways processes and procedures to provide quality care coordination for participants. Consistent, timely attendance is an integral function of this role as individuals will be responsible for meeting their caseload and quota requirements.

Documentation & Data Management :

Maintain accurate records in the Community Health Record and Care Coordination Systems, Ragic, HMIS, and internal systems, all coordinated entry paperwork, tracking shelter placements, case notes, program outcomes, and participant needs. Accurately track internal and external referrals, consent forms, and reasonable modification requests, and ensure all activities are recorded in compliance with program privacy standards and contractual obligations; including HIPPA standards as required.

Problem Solving and Concern Resolution :

Working with vulnerable individuals will involve being in or around escalated situations. When needed and utilizing de-escalation skills, a trauma-informed approach, and other best practices, work with participants to assist in individual crisis response, interpersonal conflicts, and other emergencies that may arise. CHWs are not emergency responders but should be able to handle in-the-moment de-escalation with appropriate intervention, rapport building, referral to services, and general conflict mediation.

Uphold General Workplace Expectations :

Participate in all requirements of the workplace per OlyMAP policy and procedure, including, but not limited to, completing all training, documentation, and tasks assigned, attend and participate in all required meetings, work professionally and collaboratively with all OlyMAP team members, participants and stakeholders, be willing to support other OlyMAP programs as needed, and be at work, ready to work at scheduled times. Other Duties as

Assigned or Occur :

It is expected that all OlyMAP roles operate with a reasonable anticipation of job elasticity and that staff complete all reasonable tasks assigned to them by their supervisor. Minimum Qualifications ² Must be able to work effectively with and without direct supervision. ² Must be able to uphold caseload and quota requirements with reasonable support. ² Ability to obtain any necessary certifications in accordance with OlyMAP's guidelines, (i.e. CPR). ² Computer experience and proficiency in Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), Google Suite, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), Ragic and database management and/or feels able to learn how to use above systems proficiently. ² Demonstrate an ability to support and practice a strength-based, trauma-informed, harm reductive, culturally humble, non-judgmental, and compassionate approach to supporting people. ² Must maintain a current, valid driver's license, and have an acceptable driving record. ² Ability to work in non-traditional work environments. ² Detail-oriented and ability to perform responsibilities with a high level of accuracy, consistency, and reliability. ² Demonstrate strong organizational and time management skills. ² Demonstrate openness to continued learning. ² Demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication, and listening skills. ² Ability to approach and respond to problems and/or conflicts with compassion, an open mind, curiosity, and creativity. ² Ability to act and treat people with respect while applying best practices, such as harm reduction and trauma-informed care. ² Ability to maintain and assert personal and professional boundaries for the safety of self and others, including the ability to recognize personal needs/boundaries and voice them. ² Ability to respond appropriately and professionally to crisis situations and situations that require de-escalation. ² Ability to create connections with and respect the boundaries of people who are distrustful of others. ² Support and uphold the mission, philosophies and values of OlyMAP. ² Support and contribute to a creative and respectful environment that promotes teamwork. ² Demonstrate the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally humble and competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations. Preferred Qualifications ² Lived experience with houselessness, housing insecurity, and/or mental health and substance use challenges. ² Experience providing services to unhoused and/or other underserved populations. ² Training/experience in navigating social systems and networks. ² Knowledge of Thurston County housing and social services. ² Training/experience with de-escalation, conflict resolution, and providing supportive services utilizing trauma-informed, harm reduction, strength-based, and culturally humble and competent approaches. ² Bi-lingual or multi-lingual. ² Strong writing skills and Data Entry experience. ² Current Peer Certification. ² Some experience with facilitating meetings and/or self-governance.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$24.00

• $26.

00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply Application Question(s): If you are offered the role, would you be able to start by Monday, June 1st?

Work Location:

In person