POSITION: Substance Use Disorder Specialist (PSH)

DIVISION: Programs- PSH

LOCATION: North Hollywood, CA

HIRING RATE: $27.40/hour

WHY JOIN US:

You believe that every person deserves a place to call home. You see that homelessness is a systemic issue and want to be a part of the solution. You are ready to utilize your talent, experience, and creativity towards purpose-driven work. You want to work alongside industry leaders to learn, implement, and pioneer best practices.

LA Family Housing is a leading non-profit agency in Homeless Services and Real Estate Development. With over 40 years of experience and 11,000 people’s lives changed each year, we know what it takes to end homelessness. We take tremendous pride in the emergence of our staff as national leaders in innovation, best practices, and policy within housing production and homeless services. Join the fight to end homelessness and make a difference in people’s lives at LA Family Housing!

THE POSITION:

The Substance Use Disorder Specialist is responsible for providing Project Based substance use disorder assessments, counseling, crisis intervention, follow-up referral/service, as well as appropriate programming at multiple PSH sites. Under the leadership of our Assistant Director of PSH, this position will work within a Project Based Multidisciplinary Team and will collaborate with various community agencies and programs that provide inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Provides Project Based outreach to participants with a history of Homelessness living in permanent supportive housing
• Motivates PSH residents to engage in services and activities that promote well-being by building rapport, collaborating with the ICMS team and providing support to participants
• Creates relationships with substance use treatment providers and develops the referral process; maintains a resource listing of substance use disorder services
• Collaborates with Assistant Director, Enrichment Coordinator and onsite staff to develop programming for all PSH sites
• Screens and identifies persons with a substance use disorder or substance use symptoms; works with the individuals to develop a substance use treatment plan utilizing a harm reduction approach
• Provides follow-up services to ensure that referrals are completed; provide advocacy as needed, engage in care coordination and discharge planning
• Responsible for providing insight and knowledge of substance use-related disorders to outreach team members
• Maintains thorough and accurate records in both written form and through assigned electronic databases
• Coordinates program department activities as directed by supervisor
• Attends various regular staff, agency and community meetings as designated by supervisor

WHAT YOU’RE SKILLED AT:

• Knowledge and experience in conducting field-based services; understanding of the Coordinated Entry System (CES) and its overarching goal of achieving “functional zero” for those experiencing homelessness
• Extensive knowledge of issues facing homeless single adults (e.g. chronic health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse, resources for undocumented persons)
• Able to demonstrate empathy and a non-judgmental attitude when engaging with persons experiencing homelessness
• Possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals who present for services with mental health and physical health needs
• Knowledge of “harm reduction” and “housing first” philosophies
• Knowledge of various substance use disorders according to DSM-5 required
• Must be able to perform extensive charting, electronic data entry, and documentation
• Clinical experience in working with individuals with multiple diagnoses including substance use, mental illness, and/or physical illness

WHAT YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED:

• Active CADAC or CAADE or CAPP accreditation required
• One (1) year of experience working with individuals experiencing homeless or have a minimum of two (2) years of experience providing direct health, behavioral health, or substance use counseling

WHAT WE OFFER:

Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 403B Retirement Plan, 529 Education Savings Plan, Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Legal Access Plan, Employee Appreciation Program, Company Sponsored Employee Events, Staff Development, 9/80 Alternative Work Schedule, Paid Sick, Vacation and 13 Observed Holidays, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Eligibility, Professional Development Funds, Emergency Funds and more!

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, EQUIPMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Potential physical demands include but are not limited to: walking, climbing stairs, handling, finger/grasp/feel objects and equipment, reaching, communicating, being mobile, repetitive motions, visual activity, driving, and entering buildings. Comfortable working in a pet-friendly environment required. If an accommodation is needed, please inform the Human Resources Department.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

LAFH is committed and proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.

FAIR CHANCE ACT:

LA Family Housing will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if LA Family Housing is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Fair Chance Act webpage.