Discharge Planner

Hyacinth Foundation A New Jersey•Newark, NJ

About The Position

General Responsibilities Hyacinth AIDS Foundation’s mission is to help people live with HIV, stop the spread of the epidemic, and serve as a critical voice in the public debate surrounding AIDS in New Jersey. The following foundational behaviors are expected as an employee of Hyacinth: Service/Client Services Consistently demonstrates respect, responsiveness, and professionalism towards others while providing superior service for our clients · Treats each client as a priority · Respects each client’s right to quality service, confidentiality, and dignity. · Works with co-workers to ensure integration of services · Displays a welcoming, helpful attitude to clients · Establishes and maintains personal boundaries in clinical supervision with clients or co-workers Community/Teamwork Actively cooperates within the region and/or program and participates in the constructive resolution of conflict. · Focuses on improving communication and collaboration · Tries to understand the other person’s point of view when there is a challenge · Works with all regional staff to provide a full continuum of services to clients. · Understands local community resources and can make appropriate referrals. · Is clear and tactful when collaborating and working with others. Leadership Assuming responsibility for one’s own self in the workplace and exhibiting commitment to the client and agency. · Takes pride in his/her work · Advances Hyacinth’s reputation for excellence. · Incorporates boundaries and ethical guidelines into decision making. Employees of the Agency may learn certain facts about individuals being served by the Agency that are of a highly personal and confidential nature. Examples of such information are medical conditions, sexual orientation, relations with family members and other individuals. All such information must be treated as completely confidential. All staff are required to conform to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) guidelines which require the protection of personal health information. Position Summary § Under the supervision of the Corrections Manager, performs assigned duties relating to working with offenders in correctional facilities and in the community.

Requirements

A minimum of two years’ experience in the field of HIV / AIDS
Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and interests.
Proficiency in written and verbal communications
Experience working with offenders and/or substance abusers
Ability to obtain clearance for county and community correctional facilities

Nice To Haves

Associates degree and experience working in the HIV/AIDS field. A candidate who has no degree but seems exceptionally suitable will be considered if he/she can demonstrate additional years of relevant experience in exchange for the educational requirement.
Preference may be given to candidates whose background is similar to the target population, or individuals with other experience or direct knowledge of HIV
Proficiency in written and verbal communications
Must be able to gain DOC clearances
Experience working with offenders and/or substance abusers
Community relation
Experience working with people living with HIV
HIV treatment education

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain relationships with staff in county and community correctional facilities
Conduct outreach and social marketing activities in county and community correctional facilities to increase referrals to programs
Coordinate and conduct pre-release discharge planning activities in county and community correctional facilities
Conduct needs assessments with potential clients to determine eligibility and develop service plans that address issues, based on needs assessment, relating to the provision of discharge planning, client advocacy, and case management services, housing, medical care, treatment adherence, mental health, drug abuse, relapse prevention, and secondary prevention
Collaborate with community agencies to ensure clients receive services based on needs assessment and to ensure appropriate linkages upon release
Provide follow- up activities and ensure appropriate linkages including successful connection to medical, mental health, case management, housing and food
Conduct case management activities based on agency policies and procedures
Conduct individual and group sessions with clients, pre – and post release
Coordinate schedules and paperwork with Discharge planning staff
Experience working with offenders and/or substance abusers
Establish, maintain, and update client case records using approved agency forms and procedures
Ensure confidentiality of all records
Prepare monthly reports in accordance with agency policies and procedures
Maintain and update client information in E-Compass and CAREWare
Attend and participate in staff meetings and supervisory conferences
Maintain working relationships with other community providers
Observe established administrative procedures
Provide written reports and maintain statistics as required
Represent the agency at community events, meetings, and conferences
Adhere to Hyacinth policies and procedures including client confidentiality provisions
Attend and participate in staff training opportunities
Commitment to Hyacinth philosophy
Access to currently registered car and a valid driver’s license a plus
Qualification for Clearance with the New Jersey Department of Corrections (Required)
Demonstrates understanding of objectives, duties, and responsibilities in accordance with the job description.
Understands job responsibilities and keeps current on skills and information needed to meet new challenges
Works with team leader/manager on areas of job responsibilities that are unclear.
Delivers quality results and balances priorities to meet all project and team commitments in a timely manner.
Serves as a steward of the public’s trust and money.
Takes responsibility for timely decisions and actions.
Routinely checks for accuracy in his/her own work.
Evaluates how well an event or program was completed (i.e. attendance and target audience specifications, asks clients to rate effectiveness, asks people what was good and what can be better next time).
Disseminates relevant information about decisions, plans and activities to team leaders and supervisors
Informs team leaders and/or managers about decisions that affect work.
Recognizes problems and complaints and escalates to team leaders and/or managers when necessary.