Social Worker/Service Coordinator II & III

VASH Service Coordinator II/III

REPORTS TO: VASH Program Manager

HOURS: Full Time

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

 REQUISITION # 1544

SUMMARY: 

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs) and community-based outreach clinics. As a VA Contractor, the Step Up VASH Team is comprised of Master's Level clinicians, Case Managers, and Housing Specialists. The Service Coordinators work to engage Veterans who are experiencing homelessness, a mental health diagnosis, and/or co-occurring disorders, and provide supportive services to support these Veterans as they attain and maintain permanent supportive housing. A hiring preference will be made for qualified veterans.

Benefits and What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for growth and professional development.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance are available after your first month.
• Generous paid time off, accrue 10 days of paid time off, 12 days of sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.
• 403(b) plan starts on your first day, with Step Up contributing 13% of your 3% after one year.

DUTIES: Primary duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Leadership, Administration, Oversight

• Establish collaborative relationships with services providers inside and outside of the VA to ensure Veteran’s continuity of care with wrap-around services.

• Advocate on behalf of the Veteran to assist in the delivery of needed services.

• Attend daily/weekly meetings, supervision and case conferences as assigned.

• Other duties as assigned.

• As an exempt employee, practice independent judgement and utilize discretion in appropriately managing job duties, maintaining time/organization and providing best care practices to members.

Direct Service and Support

• Arrange, coordinate and provide direct clinical case management and support to a caseload of 25 Veterans experiencing homelessness.

• Assist the Veteran in navigating the Housing Authority voucher process and provide support, along with the Housing Locator, to obtain permanent supportive housing.

• Provide education regarding community living and basic life skills (money management, shopping, safety, basic cleanliness and nutrition.

• Provide referrals and linkage to VA medical facilities, VA Regional Offices, and community-based agencies for a variety of services that may include health care, benefits, vocational assistance, education, recreation and any other needs.

• Provide direct mental health and substance abuse counseling using the Harm Reduction Model, within their scope of practice, or refer to another provider.

• Provide crisis management services.

Documentation and Data Collection

• Actively involve the Veteran in the development of an interdisciplinary treatment plan.

• Update Clinical Reminders and other important documentation as needed in the CPRS system and in compliance with VA requirements.

• Maintain clear and timely charts in the CPRS system of contact with the Veteran and other providers.

SKILLS: 

Knowledge of or experience with DSM diagnoses, assessment of level of functioning,

EBP’s such as Motivational interviewing, Critical Time Intervention, DBT, Harm Reduction, Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Trauma Informed Care, Housing First, PTSD, etc. Ability to work collaboratively with others and on a team. Takes initiative and has a solution focused practice. Uses good time management skills and resources to balance case load direct service and paperwork.

QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience): Master of Social Work, Marriage Family Therapist, Psychologist, licensed or California BBS registered and licensed eligible, and only one (1) year of case management experience is required. Have an interest working with veterans who have experienced homelessness and mental health issues. Street outreach and clinical case management experience preferred. Candidate must have own transportation and current driver’s license and insurance. Position requires daily walking and occasional driving and transporting of clients. Able to learn a program specific electronic medical health record and articulate clinical work appropriately and in a timely manner. Must complete government, VA back ground check, finger print and clearance.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty. Additionally, in working with our members, employees may encounter

instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully. All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise and Step Up has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required.

Step Up utilizes the principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery. These principles inform our Core Values of Hope, Wellness, Voice and Choice, Respect, and Collaborative Relationships. As representatives of Step Up, employees agree to adhere to these values in their interactions with members, colleagues, supervisors, and associated community members.

STEP UP CORE VALUES

HOPE – We believe all people have the capacity for positive growth and change. We use hope to inspire and motivate ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

WELLNESS – We believe in promoting a culture that supports healthy and fulfilling lives. We use a supportive environment to foster well-being for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

VOICE AND CHOICE – We believe in the right to choose and be heard. We use voice and choice to create meaningful outcomes and empowerment for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

RESPECT – We believe in promoting interactions that are non-judgmental, transparent. We use respect to guide all of our words and actions with ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS – We believe in forming partnerships to share resources, knowledge, and experiences. We use collaborative relationships to strengthen accomplishments for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

Step Up is committed to providing quality services that adhere to the highest ethical standards and principles. All Step Up employees agree to adhere to the ethical policies and codes of conduct, as outlined in the Employee Handbook and those specified for this grant.

Step Up provides equal employment opportunities without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, mental or physical disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

STEP UP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER