Peer Services Advocate (bilingual)

Mission Neighborhood Health Center•San Francisco, CA

1d•$22 - $24

About The Position

The Mission Neighborhood Health Center (MNHC) is a non-profit, multi-site community health organization offering comprehensive health services in the Mission and Excelsior Districts of San Francisco. The center offers primary health care services, adult medicine, pediatrics, family planning, OB/GYN, HIV and homeless services. We advocate for health equity and deliver innovative, high-quality services responsive to the neighborhoods and diverse communities we serve. We are currently looking for qualified candidates for our Peer Services Advocate role. Please note: This role requires applicants to be bilingual in English and Spanish. This position reports to the Program manager, integrated services and is a Part-Time, Non-Exempt role with a hourly range of $22.38 to $24.05 Primary Objective: Under the supervision of the Program manager, integrated services, the Peer Service Advocate will guide and monitor participants' use of the Resource Center's facilities while providing peer counseling and support to motivate clients to engage in services, reduce harm, and improve their physical, social, emotional and economic health.

Requirements

Bilingual Spanish/English required (Read & Write)
Must be flexible to address individual client needs.
Knowledge of de-escalation techniques, conflict resolution, and emergency response.
Available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and Saturdays.
Experience using computers, including Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Zoom, and online search tools.
Professional and ethical working experience in a multi-cultural team setting.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of harm reduction techniques preferred.
Prior peer counseling experience preferred; in particular, experience working with homeless individuals, SRO hotel tenants, sex workers, active drug users, and/or very low-income immigrants/day laborers.

Responsibilities

Provide direct and indirect peer counseling and support by motivating and assisting clients to collaborate with case managers to obtain access to health and social services.
Assist staff and clients in identifying community resources to support the recovery and stability of clients. Provides service coordination and follow-up to enable clients to participate at their highest level of independence within the community or within shelter and/or permanent housing placement.
Peer Service Advocates will provide individual contact with patients to identify and develop client-directed treatment plan goals and monitor ongoing achievement of goals.
Provides information on community resources such as food services, shelters, health services, and mental health services as needed.
Works collaboratively with primary care and case management staff in implementing service plans.
Supports the mission and vision of the Resource Center; follows all clinic policies and procedures; attends individual and group supervision meetings and supports all Resource Center activities.
Creates a hospitable environment and provides services to clients with the utmost dignity and respect.
Maintains a safe and clean environment at the Resource Center.
Ability to advocate for clients by bringing concerns about services to providers' attention.
Ability to help clients identify risk reduction strategies (safer sex, drug treatment, needle exchange, etc.)
Supports patients navigating the clinic system and community resources.
Maintains communication and documentation around client progress and areas of concern
Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and Saturday

Benefits

Employee incentive program of up to $4,000 every year
Annual 4% COLA increase
401(k) retirement savings plan includes a company contribution
Vacation: 2 weeks annually
Paid educational leave: 40 hours annually
Medical insurance: zero out-of-pocket expense under the base plan
Dental and vision insurance provided at no cost to the employee
Life insurance includes a free basic policy with an optional voluntary plan
Paid time off includes 12 paid holidays, a birthday holiday, two floating holidays and 12 sick days per year
Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care expenses
Commuter benefits