Home Health Aide

Avalon Housing•Ann Arbor, MI

13d•Remote

About The Position

At Avalon, housing is a human right. Our mission is to build healthy, safe and inclusive supportive housing communities as a long-term solution to homelessness. Avalon Housing is a non-profit supportive housing provider. Supportive housing is a combination of affordable housing paired with services, such as case management. We don't just help people find housing, we help people stay and thrive in their homes. If you are passionate about creating more diverse, inclusive, and equitable communities where all people are welcome, Avalon may be a good fit for you. The individuals served by this position may face many challenges including multi-morbid conditions, mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and/or chronic medical conditions alongside a history of chronic homelessness. The Home Health Aide position will provide hands-on support with these clients in their homes, to help ensure their well-being and maintain their housing. Provided services include apartment cleaning, laundry cleaning, skills coaching, and well-being assessments.

Requirements

At least one year experience in human services, preferably working with similar populations, including people who are homeless, people with mental illness, chronic health, and/or addiction disorders
Basic understanding of homelessness and various characteristics of the homeless adult population; experience with the issues of mental illness and chemical dependency preferred.
Ability to effectively work with diverse populations in a non-judgmental way
Capacity to respond to crisis situations
Strong communication skills – both verbal and written
Strong problem-solving skills
Ability to recognize appropriate boundaries with clients
Ability to work as part of a team
Must possess a highly positive and enthusiastic attitude and strong commitment toward helping those in need
Interest and experience in working with individuals who are difficult to engage and refer to traditional programs, subscribe to a philosophy of tolerance and ability to engage with individuals in their current stage of change, expressed knowledge, and acceptance.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds
Avalon Housing is dedicated to eliminating racial inequities. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to work well with multicultural communities.
A valid driver's license and reliable transportation is required.

Responsibilities

In conjunction with the Team Leader and other staff, Home Health Aides are responsible for providing individual, in-home assistance as needed to support tenants in maintaining stable housing.
Working with Avalon clients throughout the community, working in their apartments supporting their housing permanency.
Cleaning and organizing tenants' apartments as described in tenant's treatment plan or inspection results, in order to assist tenants with maintaining housing. This may include independently sweeping, vacuuming, washing floors, washing dishes, washing kitchen counters and sinks, cleaning the bathroom, changing bed linen, taking out garbage/trash, dusting and picking up, etc.
Assisting with laundry chores when assigned, including helping by getting laundry to machines, sorting, handling soap containers, placing laundry into machines, operating machine controls, handling wet laundry, drying, folding and storing laundry.
Assisting with meal preparation and clean-up, including helping with planning menus, washing, peeling, slicing, opening packages, cans and bags, mixing ingredients, lifting pots/pans, reheating food, cooking, operating stove/microwave, setting the table, serving the meal, washing/drying/putting away dishes, etc.
Participate in shopping with tenants or individually, for food, hygienic products, and homecare products.
Teaching tenants proper cleaning techniques, where appropriate, through demonstration and guidance. Will work to incorporate tenants into the cleaning routine, to teach cleaning skills and habits.
Recognizing potential crisis situations, analyzes such situations accurately, develops strategies to deal with such situations, and informs the supervisor when such incidents arise.
Recognizing potential emergency situations, analyzes situations accurately, develops strategies to deal with such situations e.g. medical issues, dealing with client's aggressive behavior to ensure no harm comes to the client, staff and/or the public.
Assisting the case management team in identifying potential problems.
Provides input to the team with regard to the development of client program plans.
Working cooperatively with clinical, property management, maintenance, and other staff onsite in addition to visiting providers; refer tenants to clinical and other staff as necessary
Monitoring clients' well-being and sharing observations with the team.
Assists clients in attending appointments when necessary and provides transportation.
Providing emotional support and feedback to clients (and their families and friends where concerned).
Maintaining written reports regarding clients' activities and progress.
Ensures that all required documentation is complete and accurate.
Participating in group planning and helps develop individual activity plans which focus on the special needs of each client served by the home/program.
Providing lay counseling support and life skills training to clients.
Operating office equipment such as: personal computers, photocopiers, facsimile machines, or printers.
Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of internal fire safety regulations and procedures, and other emergency procedures.
Ensures health and safety standards are maintained.
Performing other related duties as required.
Work with clients in their homes, in community centers, and in the larger community
Assist tenants with conflict resolution among tenants and neighbors
Attend and participate in staff meetings, retreats and professional training sessions
Facilitate group transportation as needed
Cover appointments, transportation needs, and Residential Support Specialist shifts as needed.