Wellness Access Specialist - Banfield Shelter Motel

TRANSITION PROJECTS INC•Portland, OR

6d•$29 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

The Wellness Access Specialist provides services that help participants engage with and connect to medical, mental health, and substance use disorder providers. Working collaboratively with Housing Case Managers, the specialist supports participants in achieving and maintaining stable housing. The position is based at Banfield Shelter Motel in Portland, Oregon, and reports to the Wellness Access Program Manager. It is a full-time, non-exempt, union-represented, benefits-eligible role. The schedule is Monday through Friday, either 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. The wage is $29.00 per hour, with eligibility for a 5% language differential if applicable. The specialist facilitates groups and individual sessions, connects participants to community services, maintains knowledge of relevant resources, coordinates with program staff, and records participant data. Employees must obtain required safety and emergency-response certifications and training within 30 days of hire, with subsequent retesting as specified. The work may involve exposure to animals, bloodborne pathogens, or other infectious materials; training, safety protocols, and protective equipment are provided, and Hepatitis B vaccination is offered at no cost.

Requirements

Associate degree in a related field or one year of social services experience.
Demonstrated understanding of issues surrounding homelessness, chemical dependency, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
Demonstrated knowledge of chemical dependency and mental health issues and appropriate treatment resources.
Ability to engage people experiencing homelessness in a trauma-informed manner.
Ability to broker services with other agencies and advocate on behalf of clients.
Current familiarity with community resources and services for people experiencing homelessness.
Knowledge of domestic violence and sexual assault issues and resources.
Ability to work as part of a team in delivering services to clients.
Computer literacy and ability to use word-processing, database, spreadsheet, email, and Internet programs.
Ability to maintain accurate and comprehensive client files.
Ability to perform CPR and other emergency life-saving care with teammates until emergency responders arrive.
Ability to meet the described physical and mental requirements, with or without accommodation, including lifting up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

CADC or similar certification; candidates with this certification receive priority consideration.
Veteran status; applicants who are veterans receive priority consideration.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide groups to engage, educate, and support participants in accessing physical health, mental health, and substance use disorder services.
Provide individual sessions to support participants and facilitate connections to community support services.
Develop comprehensive knowledge of community physical and mental health resources and substance use disorder services, and maintain effective relationships with providers to help assure service availability.
Maintain knowledge of resources available to low-income and homeless populations.
Work with program staff to provide intervention plans for residents who violate alcohol and drug or behavioral rules, where appropriate.
Coordinate with housing case managers and residential advocate staff to ensure services are participant-focused, effective, and efficient.
Enter participant data into data collection systems.
Attend meetings as requested, including agency and program staff meetings.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Obtain First Aid/CPR/AED certification within 30 days of hire and complete biannual retesting.
Complete Bloodborne Pathogens and Narcan Training within 30 days of hire and complete annual retesting.
Demonstrate reliability by attending work as scheduled, arriving and leaving on time, and taking breaks within expected time frames.
Treat people of diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations with respect and dignity.