Shelter Program Generalist-Respite

CCSWW•Tacoma, VA

6d•$24 - $27

About The Position

Catholic Community Services’ Homeless Adult Services (HAS) is the largest provider of adult homeless services in Tacoma, Washington. Nativity House, a HAS program and central hub serving homeless adults in Pierce County, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its services include emergency shelter, meals, outreach, Rapid Rehousing, mental health and co-occurring disorder treatment, employment services, spiritual support, and permanent supportive housing. The Shelter Program Generalist-Respite provides supervision and program structure for respite guests, supports behavior management, and assists with basic medical needs and social services. The role helps guests navigate social service agencies, forms, and interviews. Staff receive training in behavior management, basic case services, Motivational Interviewing, and other respite-related areas.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Obtain a Food Handler’s card within the first three months of employment.
Reliable transportation, a valid Washington State driver’s license, and automobile insurance.
Obtain CPR certification within the first three months of employment.
Experience working with diverse populations, including people with active mental health and chemical dependency issues.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Successfully pass required background checks before an offer of employment.
Ability to provide a negative TB test.
Acceptable driving record under CCS’ driving policy and a current driving abstract.
Provide current automobile registration.
Support and uphold the mission, beliefs, and values of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services.
Support and contribute to a creative, collaborative, and respectful environment that promotes teamwork.
Demonstrate the attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multicultural situations.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of training and/or work experience in the respite field.
Associate degree in social services or a health field.
At least one year of training and/or work experience in a shelter environment.
Experience working with complex databases and running reports from those databases.

Responsibilities

Conduct an intake interview with each respite guest to understand their history, issues contributing to homelessness, barriers to housing, and stage of change.
Connect respite guests with supportive services and help ensure they follow their housing stability plan.
Review the log book and other communication systems daily.
Inspect the facility regularly to ensure safety and sanitation procedures are followed.
Remind and encourage respite guests to take self-administered medication.
Maintain a file for each respite guest in accordance with the records retention policy.
Keep filing and medication cabinets locked and the respite office clean and organized.
Record medications taken by respite guests on the medication tracking log and ensure guests initial the log.
Immediately report accidents, incidents, and changes in guests’ health or condition to the Program Supervisor and partnered hospital.
Follow discharge plans set by the partnered hospital.
Communicate incidents, issues, and other relevant information accurately and promptly through computer records, log books, and meetings.
Accompany respite guests to medical appointments when requested or when they cannot go alone.
Help arrange transportation and, when needed, transport or pick up guests to or from Nativity House or medical appointments.
Deliver prescription orders to a pharmacy or pick up filled prescriptions for respite guests.
Encourage guests’ independence and assist with basic needs only when necessary.
Complete reports and documentation promptly, including reports required by funding sources.
Provide behavioral management for a diverse population, including people with chemical dependency or mental health issues, by setting limits, encouraging desired behavior, assigning consequences, and helping guests consider their actions and decisions.
Help respite guests resolve conflicts and make pro-social choices through grievance procedures.
Ensure required trainings are completed and current.
Monitor traffic at the front door and outside the facility on the main campus.
Write timely, behaviorally descriptive Ban Reports when guests exhibit disruptive behavior.
Respond to guests in crisis, experiencing medical emergencies, or engaging in disruptive behavior, including fights or drug dealing.
Provide guests with services, resources, and information.
Develop supportive relationships with guests using Motivational Interviewing strategies and informal listening.
Work in different program service areas, including the clothing room, long-term storage, office, and kitchen.
Collaborate with Nativity House staff, the mental health team, and social workers to promote behavioral changes.
Participate in multidisciplinary case staffing meetings as needed to coordinate guest services.
Wash and fold bed linens and towels as needed.
Maintain the daily program schedule, including wake-up, meal, check-in, and bedtime schedules.
Maintain written and computerized records.
Communicate with team members throughout the shift about completed tasks and ongoing issues.
Assist with end-of-day cleanup.
Perform other duties as reasonably assigned.