JOB
The Jail Health Services Division of Public Health | Seattle & King County is seeking two (2) Social Services Specialist | Service Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Care Coordinators to join our team!The purpose of JHS is to assure that basic health and human services are available to individuals who are incarcerated in the King County adult correctional facilities. They provide a broad range of health care—including screening for substance use disorders, prescribing medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), distributing naloxone, and providing overdose prevention and response education.This is a unique opportunity for someone who wants to be part of a multidisciplinary health team that works to remove barriers to medical, behavioral, treatment and social services and is committed to reducing stigma and building power with people who use drugs. The SUD Care Coordinators provide patient-centered, trauma-informed care and engage participants while they are in-custody and as they connect with health and social services upon release. Regular tasks include screening, assessment, brief intervention, supportive counseling, and discharge planning.People with lived experience of substance use, incarceration, houselessness, and/or sex work; people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQIA communities; and people living with HIV/AIDS and/or hepatitis C are strongly encouraged to apply. About Jail Health Services: JHS provides needed health and social services to the incarcerated population located in the King County jails – King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle, WA and Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent, WA. The primary services we provide include medical, dental, mental health, social and release planning services, treatment of substance use disorders, and pharmaceutical services. We care about the patients we serve and their health outcomes. Our Division includes over 230 employees and a bi-annual budget of over $80 million. The purpose of JHS is to assure that high-quality health and human services are available to the incarcerated population in the King County adult correctional facilities: the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent. The JHS vision is Opening doors to healthier, happier lives, and the mission is To assess and stabilize serious health problems for the detained population of the King County Correctional Facility and the Maleng Regional Justice Center with a focus on transition from jail. Staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, JHS provides a broad range of health care to all individuals booked into the jails. For patients with serious mental health or medical conditions, special housing units (psychiatric and infirmary) along with a higher level of services and medical monitoring are provided. Since the patient population varies both in numbers as well as in acuity of health conditions, staffing is adapted and flexed to meet the constantly changing needs of the population. JHS staff manage the complex health needs of underserved populations many of whom come to the facility without access to care in the community and with decompensated acute and chronic health conditions. Commitment to Equity and Social Justice: Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures. The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts. We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities. To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx Work Location: This position will work at the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. There will also be minimal work in community locations to meet with patients. The MRJC is located at 401 4th Ave N, Kent, WA 98032 and KCCF is located at 500 5th Ave., Seattle, WA 98104. Work Schedule: 40 hours per work week including some weekend and evening shifts. These hours are subject to change with advance notice.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Engage with people who use drugs (including alcohol) using a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction and trauma-informed practice.Promote diverse cultural health beliefs and practices, patient preferred languages, health literacy, and other communications needed for participants referred to care.Conduct standardized screenings to identify emergent social, physical, and behavioral health needs and determine if referrals are necessary.Facilitate access to care, including access to community and recovery resources using standard case management practices (e.g., outreach, screening, assessment, brief-intervention, crisis counseling, and psycho-educational support services).Facilitate shared treatment decision making with participants by sharing information and providing education on the in-jail and in-community options to treat opioid use disorder.Advocate for participants while in custody and as they transition back to the community, to include assisting with enrollment in healthcare coverage and disability-related benefits, linkage to substance use disorder treatment, accessing community resources, and communicating with partners in the criminal legal system.Distribute harm reduction supplies and provide accurate health and safety information using established messages on safer drug use and overdose safety planning. Adapt health information based on clients’ priorities, cultural beliefs, and value systems using accessible realistic language to convey pertinent, complex information.Assist participants as they release from custody with resources, referrals, and scheduling same-day or next day appointments.Document patient contact and services delivered in electronic health record system.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) EmployerNo person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. To Apply: If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement. Who May Apply: The vacancy is open to all qualified applicants. Application Instructions: The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy: NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)Resume Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.Please do not copy and paste your entire job history as your answers to the supplemental questions, as these will be considered incomplete. Necessary Special Requirements: The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience. The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en. Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law. Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work. Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations. Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions. When public health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign you duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possibleUnion affiliation: Protec 17 Contact: For more information about the application process please contact Mark Lacy at Mlacy@kingcounty.gov. Additional Information: Public Health - Jail Health Services follows and maintains federal and state requirements standards including, but not limited to, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards which apply to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders. PREA standards preclude the department from hiring or promoting anyone who has engaged in, or been convicted of any conduct which would violate PREA standards related to sexual assault including: Sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution. Convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or, Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.Additionally, PREA standards require that the department consider any incidents of sexual harassment involving an inmate or detainee in determining whether or not to hire or promote anyone. The above is in compliance with PREA and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 115, Subpart A, Section 115.17, Hiring and Promotion Decisions.