Summary of Position:

The Lead Care Coordinator supervises Permanent Supportive Housing Care Coordinators (Community Health Workers) and works directly with clients to help increase access to health services for people who have experienced homelessness through transportation coordination, outreach, and peer support. The Lead Care Coordinator is expected to understand homelessness, mental illness, and addiction and be willing and ready to engage with clients who struggle with these issues at all levels. The Lead Care Coordinator is responsible for assisting with linkages to appropriate health care services and assisting individuals with self-management of chronic diseases. The Lead Care Coordinator assists with program management and acts as liaison to other healthcare and social service providers in Harris County. The position reports to the Director of Social Services.

Responsibilities:

• Participate and/or lead regular supervisory and team meetings, training sessions, conferences, seminars, and independent study.
• Participate in program and operational planning.
• Work with staff to ensure that all necessary forms, case notes, and reports are submitted within designated timelines.
• Work with the team to ensure an updated calendar of all assigned clients’ medical appointments is completed in a timely manner.
• Recruit and train Permanent Supportive Housing Care Coordination employees.
• Provide orientation, training, and development for new Care Coordination staff.
• Maintain attendance records and scheduling for Care Coordinators, as assigned.
• Assist clients in gaining access to and navigating medical care and other community based social services.
• Assist clients with scheduling, transportation, and attendance for medical appointments.
• Accompany clients to medical and social services appointments, as needed.
• Provide basic client advocacy, assessment, planning, coordination, and follow up for services, care plans, and health goals.
• Visit clients to develop relationships and promote harm reduction.
• Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services and health education to clients.
• Develop relationships with external agencies to build knowledge of the resources available to clients.

Skills and Personal Characteristics:

• Strong project management abilities
• Strong interpersonal, written, and social skills with demonstrated ability to collaborate with a variety of individuals from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds.
• Able to operate small office equipment, including photocopier, scanning, telephone, and personal computer.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Ability to navigate local transportation services (bus, train, and taxi)
• Ability to convey a strong presence, professional image, and deal confidently with complex situations.
• Strong organizational skills
• Enthusiasm, interest, and ability to empathize with those who are homeless.
• Foster a respectful sensitivity and non-judgmental attitude towards clients that may have multiple disabilities.
• Treat clients, co-workers, and others with dignity and respect.
• Commit to addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical solutions.
• Ability to be trained to perform a variety of tasks.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Community Health Worker certification
• Two years of related experience in working with homeless and/or medically underserved populations preferred.
• Two years supervisory experience preferred.
• Bilingual English and Spanish preferred
• Valid Driver’s License preferred.
• Candidates with personal experience of homelessness are strongly encouraged to apply.

Physical Requirements:

• Lift up to 25 pounds (laptop computer, small office equipment use, or similar items)
• Must be able to stand, sit, walk, kneel, and bend.

Working Conditions:

• Busy clinical and supportive housing environments caring for the homeless population.