Wellness Support Specialist, PT

Role: Wellness Support Specialist

Reports to: Director, Wellness

Program: 1301-DT Wellness

Department: Mental Health & Wellness

Location: Wellness Center - 345 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Setting: 100% Onsite

Schedule: Tuesday & Wednesday: 7:30am-4pm, Friday: 7:30-11:30am

Status: Part-time/Non-Exempt/Non-Management

Openings: 1

Job Description Summary:

The Support Specialist will work collaboratively with The Wellness Center staff in a multidisciplinary approach to engage highly vulnerable clients currently residing in the Skid Row community in services such as: case management, mental health, harm reduction and other various wellness activities. The Support Specialist plays a key role in outreach and engagement of SPA 4 clients and works to connect them to resources through the Wellness Center and partnership with other agency and community providers.

Job Description Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work as part of a team to provide comprehensive, integrated care to individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and substance use in the Skid Row and SPA 4 service area.
• Outreach and engage clients in the Skid Row community with the intention of connecting them to services at the Wellness Center (mental health services, case management, harm reduction, medical care, & other available resources).
• Engage clients in the case management process by effectively building trusting relationships and collaborative partnership with case managers and clinicians.
• Intervene during crises to actively de-escalate situations, with client and staff safety in mind, using non-violent communications skills.
• Support the Wellness Staff with events, activities and process groups.
• Complete incident reports and document in HMIS, as needed before the end of each shift.
• Communicate effectively, and in a timely manner, with management, peers, and clients.
• Maintain client confidentiality at all times, while following agency, state, and HIPAA laws.
• Assist with daily operation of facility, including general cleaning duties.
• Attend relevant staff meetings, trainings and retreats as scheduled.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Job Description Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED or Equivalent
• Minimum of 1 year experience working with homeless individuals and/or those with severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders
• Understanding of, and interest in providing harm reduction-based services for people actively using substances
• Computer literate; able to use computerized database system for information management
• Knowledge of the Skid Row community and resources preferred
• Possess effective customer service skills and the ability to handle difficult situations
• Ability to work independently and think critically
• Ability to act in a professional manner regardless of circumstances
• Commitment to improving the community through empowerment and dignity
• Familiarity with non-violent crisis intervention
• Ability to self-motivate and to appropriately organize and motivate others
• Ability to work as a team member
• Demonstrate an ability to take initiative towards continued professional development
• Applicants with past lived experience of substance use, homelessness, sex work, or incarceration encouraged to apply
  
  

Job Description Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) speaker strongly preferred
  
  

Job Description Work Environment:

• Indoor office environment
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend; occasionally lift or carry up to 35 lbs.
• Will necessitate working in busy and loud environments.
• Will be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise and odor.
• May need to bend, stoop, twist, and sit throughout the day.
• Able to thrive in a work environment emphasizing teamwork and collaboration
  
  

EXPECTED BEHAVIORS OF ALL STAFF

• Act as a role model
• Demonstrate a sense of responsibility
• Continuously learn and improve
• Acknowledge your own areas of improvement
• Hear and provide honest, specific and direct feedback
• Create an environment where everyone is welcomed valued and respected
• Collaborate
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer

The People Concern is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to non-discrimination in employment. We select the most qualified individual for the job based on job-related qualifications regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, credit history, sexual orientation, arrest and court record, genetic information, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state or other applicable laws.  

About The People Concern

The People Concern empowers the most vulnerable among us to rebuild their lives. One of Los Angeles County’s largest social services agencies, The People Concern was formed in 2016 in a merger of two trusted social service organizations based in Los Angeles County, OPCC and Lamp Community. Informed by more than fifty-eight years of work in the community, The People Concern is a leading provider of, and advocate for, evidence-based solutions to the multi-faceted challenges inherent in homelessness and domestic violence.

With compassion and profound respect for those we serve, we provide a fully integrated system of care – including outreach, interim housing, mental and medical health care, substance abuse services, domestic violence services, life skills & wellness programs, and permanent supportive housing – tailored to the unique needs of homeless individuals, survivors of domestic violence, challenged youth, and others who have nowhere else to turn.

The People Concern’s model of integrated and comprehensive care empowers our participants to navigate the multi-faceted obstacles in their lives, become their best selves, and ultimately, connect with and contribute to their communities.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement Planning (403b) & Matching
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation Days
• Paid Sick Days
• Employee Assistance Plans (EAP)
• TELUS Health
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Basic Life / Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Voluntary Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Discounts on Hotels, Theme Parks, Concerts, Movies, Restaurants & More
• The People Concern University & Certificates
• Corporate Discounts