Housing Support Counselors

ImmaCare Inc.•Hartford, CT

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Support Counselors are the front line staff working with our emergency shelter clients. Housing Support Counselors deliver our services in a non-judgmental way. They assist clients by assuring that safety rules and regulations are observed, in a manner which conveys caring, respect and understanding. This position provides services to persons who are currently homeless and often have a mental illness and also may have co-occurring substance abuse issues. This position provides services to clients in a shelter environment who are currently homeless and may have a mental illness and also may have co-occurring substance abuse issues. This position does intakes, sets up for meals and cleans afterwards, makes continuous rounds and monitors activity, completes paperwork, answers the door and telephone, and makes basic referrals. The position requires the ability to be pleasant, patient, compassionate and consistent with clients. This position regularly works with clients who are intoxicated, under the influence of unknown substances, may be affected by communicable diseases, and/or appear affected by serious mental health problems. The environment is fast-paced and may include stressful and crisis situations.

Requirements

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Commitment to Housing First, Harm Reduction, Person-Centered, and Consumer-Choice models of care
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence, complete paperwork
Strong interpersonal communication skills and an ability to provide services to persons who are low-income and/or homeless
Ability to handle stressful situations in a fast-paced environment and intervene/deescalate crisis situations

Nice To Haves

Bilingual/Bicultural (English/Spanish)

Responsibilities

Read the staff log book from the entry of last shift worked
Set up serving tables and tables and chairs for clients for meals. After meals, break down tables and chairs. Make sure floor is swept and mopped, garbage is taken out and kitchen is cleaned
Work with the 211 Coordinated Access Network established procedures for people seeking shelter that come to the door or call on the phone
Follow established intake procedures for new clients
Pat down all clients upon every entry for any illegal or unsafe items
Thoroughly search all bags for illegal or dangerous contraband, including medications
Make necessary referrals to detox, mental health, hospital, etc.
Make continual rounds, monitoring the main hall, smoking areas, and bathroom
Make sure smoking is in designated outdoor areas only
Monitor return of bedding
Make entries in the staff log book at least every hour. Record client altercations, problems, policy deviations, fire alarms, client concerns, repairs needed and other information to be communicated to staff
Make sure that all intakes, referrals, incidents and logbook entries are complete prior to the end of the shift
Complete incident reports completely for all out-of-the-ordinary situations, including, but not limited to, staff/client altercations, client/client altercations, fighting, unresolved conflicts, calling the police or ambulance. The incident report will minimally contain: who; what; when; where
Other duties as needed/assigned