SSVF Housing Specialist & Healthcare Navigator

Housing Specialist Job Description

Helping Heroes is a community based, non-profit facility. It provides support services and resources to homeless and near homeless veterans in order to transition them to or maintain self-sufficiency.

Job Title: Housing Specialist

Summary: Assists case managers by researching housing availability and options for Veterans enrolled in Helping Heroes programs; and assists with scheduling, paperwork, etc.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following (and other duties as may be assigned).

Housing Specialist

· Research housing availability and options for Veterans enrolled in Helping Heroes programs.

· Align housing options with Veteran preferences and needs such as location, cost, accessibility, safety, and sustainability.

· Provide information on possible housing options to case managers in a timely manner.

Non-Clinical Assessment

· Understand the Veteran’s situation, potential barriers to care, the causes, and the impact of such barriers on the Veteran’s ability to access and maintain health care services.

· Identify the Veteran's strengths, limitations, risk factors, and internal/external supports and service needs to optimize the Veteran's ability to access and maintain services.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Coordination and Consultation

· Collaborate with other disciplines involved in providing care.

· Consult with other team members and appropriately assess and address the needs of the Veteran.

· Understand the different roles within the organization.

· Always act within professional boundaries.

· Adhere to ethical principles about confidentiality, informed consent, compliance with relevant laws, and agency policies (e.g., incident reporting, HIPPA, Duty to Warn).

Administrative Duties and Systems Improvement

· Perform common administrative office tasks such as mail, filing, copying, etc. as assigned.

· Greet, welcome, and direct visitors appropriately.

· Notify appropriate staff of visitor arrival.

· Operate the telecommunication system by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

· Keep a safe and clean reception area by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.

· Participate in expanding the knowledge related to the Veteran population.

· Help identify systemic barriers within the organization; communicate with organizational leadership about these barriers, and work collaboratively to find viable solutions.

· Participate as required in annual inspections conducted by funding agencies.

Outreach

· Represent the program in contacts with other agencies and the public.

· Build and develop relationships with community leaders, VA staff, and other referral networks.

• Assist in conducting and coordinating outreach activities as assigned.
• Setting up and tearing down for events such as fundraising and outreach activities.

Reporting: This individual reports to the Program Director who will provide supervision and guidance to the Housing Specialist. The CEO and Case Managers will provide certain task supervision and assignments.

Preferred qualifications for this position include:

· Associate degree is required, bachelor’s is preferred, other education, military, and work experience will be considered.

· 1 - 3 years’ experience working with veterans and/or the homeless population.

· Experience working with people in recovery.

· Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

· Able to lift and carry 50 pounds.

Additional Requirements:

• US Armed Forces veteran preferred.
• Submit to a criminal background check.
• Pre employment physical with drug screen.
• Copy of transcripts required upon hiring.
• Hold a valid driver’s license, car insurance and be willing and able to travel. DMV driving record must be provided upon hiring.

Pay/ Benefits: hourly wage, retirement plan, employee health insurance.

Schedule: Monday to Friday 8 am – 4 pm, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends when necessary.

SSVF Health Care Navigator Job Description

Helping Heroes is a community based, non-profit facility. It provides support services and resources to homeless and near homeless veterans in order to transition them to, or maintain self-sufficiency.

Job Title: SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) Health Care Navigator

Summary: provides services including connecting Veterans to VA health care benefits or community health care services where Veterans are not eligible for VA care, case management and care coordination, health education, interdisciplinary collaboration, coordination, and consultation, and administrative duties. The Health Care Navigator will act as a liaison between the SSVF grantee and the VA or community medical clinic.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following (and other duties as may be assigned).

Non-Clinical Assessment

· Understand the Veteran’s situation, potential barriers to care, the causes, and the impact of such barriers on the Veteran’s ability to access and maintain health care services.

· Identify the Veteran's strengths, limitations, risk factors, and internal/external supports and service needs to optimize the Veteran's ability to access and maintain health care services.

Health Care Team and Veteran Communication

· Assist Veterans in communicating their preferences in care and personal health-related goals to facilitate shared decision making of the Veteran’s care.

· Serve as a resource for education and support for Veterans and families and help identify appropriate and credible resources and support.

· Participate in the development of the Veteran’s care plan by focusing on community services, outreach, and referrals.

· Regularly review care plan goals with the Veteran.

· Conduct regular non-clinical barrier assessments, and provide resources and referrals.

· Periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the resources and referrals provided and make appropriate modifications.

· Monitor the Veteran’s progress, maintain comprehensive documentation, and provide information to treatment team members when appropriate.

· Assist the Veteran in identifying concerns or questions about their treatment or medications.

Specialized Case Management and Care Coordination

· Provide comprehensive case management and care coordination across episodes of care.

· Act as a health coach by proactively supporting the Veteran to optimize treatment interventions and outcomes.

· Coordinate services with other organizations and programs to assure such services are complementary and comprehensive.

· Direct activities to maximize effectiveness, efficiency, and continuity of care.

· Link Veterans and caregivers to supportive services, which include, but are not limited to, housing, financial benefits, transportation.

· Serve as the subject matter expert on community resources.

· Collaborate with other providers in the ongoing reassessment of the Veteran’s health care needs.

· Educate the Veteran and caregiver regarding the available services and assist in establishing the appropriate referrals based on the Veteran’s preference.

· Educate the Veteran and family on the available options for acquiring knowledge and skills for managing health and wellness.

· Coordinate referrals to VA, community health clinics, and other programs needed to ensure access to health care.

· Act as an advocate for the client, integrating the Veteran’s cultural values into their care plan.

· Assist the Veteran in identifying methods to monitor progress toward meeting health goals and provide ongoing follow up.

Health Education

· Assist in identifying the Veteran and family's health education needs and provide education services and materials that match the health literacy level of the Veteran.

· Provide ongoing education support as needed to the Veteran and family member(s).

· Assist in identifying VA and community resources to prevent disease and promote self-care.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Coordination and Consultation

· Collaborate with other disciplines involved in providing care.

· Consult with other team members and appropriately assess and address the needs of the Veteran.

· Understand the different roles within the interdisciplinary team and act within professional boundaries.

· Adhere to ethical principles about confidentiality, informed consent, compliance with relevant laws, and agency policies (e.g., incident reporting, HIPPA, Duty to Warn).

Administrative Duties and Systems Improvement

· Participate in expanding the knowledge related to health care navigators and the Veteran population.

· Help identify systemic barriers within the organization; communicate with organizational leadership about these barriers, and work collaboratively to find viable solutions.

· Participate in annual inspections conducted by funding agencies.

Outreach

· Serve as the liaison to VA and community health care programs, and represent the program in contacts with other agencies and the public.

· Build and develop relationships with community leaders, VA staff, and other referral networks.

· Schedule meetings with referring agencies to explain program criteria and benefits to increase outreach efforts.

• Assist in conducting and coordinating outreach activities as assigned.
• Setting up and tearing down for events such as fundraising and outreach activities.

Reporting: This individual reports to the Program Director who will provide supervision and guidance to the Health Care Navigator. The Health Care Navigator is expected to function independently, exercising initiative and judgment in day-to-day activities, based on expertise accumulated through education, training, experience, and reference to relevant professional literature, seeking consultation with the supervisor as appropriate and needed. The Program Director will provide task supervision and assignments.

Preferred qualifications for this position include:

· Master’s level social worker or equivalent education and experience is preferred, other education, military, and work experience will be considered.

· 1 - 3 years’ experience working with veterans and/or the homeless population.

· Experience working with people in recovery.

· Proven ability to develop relationships with families as well as a wide variety of service stakeholders (VA, schools, health, and public benefit agencies).

· Work independently on identified case management needs.

· Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

· Able to lift and carry 50 pounds.

Additional Requirements:

• US Armed Forces veteran preferred.
• Social Work License preferred.
• Submit to a criminal background check.
• Pre employment physical with drug screen.
• Copy of transcripts required upon hiring.
• Hold a valid driver’s license, car insurance and be willing and able to travel. DMV driving record must be provided upon hiring.

Pay/ Benefits: Hourly wage, retirement plan, employee health insurance.

Schedule: Monday to Friday 8 am – 4 pm, with flexibility for evening/weekends as needed.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.00 - $17.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15 - $17