Clinician - Shelter

JOB TITLE: Emergency Homeless Shelter Clinician

DEPARTMENT: Shelter

REPORTS TO: Director of Housing Services with Supervision from Clinical Supervisor

SUMMARY:

The Emergency Homeless Shelter Clinician (Shelter Clinician) will be part of the day-to-day Shelter team, supporting the mental wellness of all shelter guests throughout the duration of their stay, from admission through exit, and then follow-up post exit. This position will include partnering with the Street Medicine Team to provide mental health support to unsheltered clients as needed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complete intake assessment of all shelter guests (clients).
• Create individualized treatment plans with clients’ input to include goals while in the shelter as well as goals to continue once they exit the shelter.
• Provide counseling and support to shelter clients while understanding the trauma associated with homelessness.
• When not completing an assessment or session, the clinician must spend time in the shared areas of the shelter in order to continually observe and assess the “mental health temperature” and build rapport with shelter guests.
• Collect and report on outcome measures.
• Document sessions and assessments in Credible (electronic health record).
• Provide follow-up once the client exits the shelter until a warm handoff to another mental health provider can be established.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or social work from an accredited college or university or a Master's degree in a closely related health or human service profession from an accredited graduate program.
• Minimum experience: Completion of counseling internship preferably serving clients with characteristics similar to those of the specific population targeted by the program, project, or service covered by this position.
• Other credentials: The agency may require specific credentials or documented training/experience for this role. The Letter of Hiring or an appendix to this position description will detail such credentials.
• Additionally, the ideal candidate:
  • Enjoys working at the top of their scope of practice and collaborating with a diverse team.
  • Has a firm understanding of trauma informed approaches and integrating them into fundamental therapeutic interventions.
  • Is comfortable working with all ages and providing family sessions when appropriate.
  • Is able to provide counseling and support for people experiencing homelessness.
  • Enjoys working with individuals who suffer from substance use disorder, mental illness, and/or dually diagnosed clients.
  • Understands and is committed to the guiding principles of harm reduction.
  • Is able to handle crisis situations.
  • Must be able to perform basic mental health screenings, collect and record data, and provide outcomes reports for the goals of this project which are:
    • Goal 1: Reduce the number of emergency admissions of Shelter residents to local hospitals or acute inpatient units due to a mental health or drug & alcohol crisis.
    • Goal 2: Reduce the number of households who return to homelessness 12 months after departure.
    • Goal 3: Increase the number of Shelter residents receiving counseling for mental health disorders during their stay, based upon their initial admission assessment by the clinician.
    • Goal 4: Increase the number of Shelter residents transitioning to safe and permanent housing upon departure, who were assessed by the clinician to have a mental health disorder upon admission.

COMPETENCIES:

• Diversity - Knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Works with integrity and upholds organizational values.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional client situations; Responds promptly to client/coworkers needs; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Dependability - Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Respects diversity.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures.
• Teamwork - Contributes to building a positive team spirit; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to stand, walk, and sit
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel
• Occasional exposure to outside weather conditions
• Occasionally exposed to bloodborne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 15 pounds
• The nature of the job requires occasional fieldwork which includes, but is not limited to, homeless encampments, visits to clients who reside in vehicles or other places not meant for habitation, and homeless shelters.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.