Housing Navigation Specialist I-HOPWA en undefined

Program: Nursing - Case Management

Department: Health Services

Reports to: Manager of Housing Case Management

Status: Temporary, 100%, Full-time, Non-Exempt

Center’s Mission:

Building a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:  As the nation’s largest and most experienced provider of LGBT medical and mental health services, we help LGBTQ people lead healthier, happier lives, by keeping their minds and body well. All services are free or low cost. We’re also one of the few Federally Qualified Health Centers in the nation with providers who specialize in primary care for LGBTQ people and with a research team working to advance the care and treatment of people in our community.

JOB SUMMARY: Under supervision of the Manager of Housing Case Management, the Housing Navigation Specialist for the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program is responsible for meeting contract requirements while assisting clients with supportive services with a client-centric approach. The Housing Navigator will assist the client to establish collaborative relationships with community-based organizations to attain and maintain housing and address overall needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

•    Act as primary contact for clients throughout their full length of participation in our HOPWA program;

•    Complete a comprehensive intake and assessment of new participants to help determine needs, eligibility, interests, and goals;

•    Assess and implement necessary interventions to reduce barriers to housing;

•    Link client to supportive services such as mental health, health, substance abuse, employment, and education both at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and with external service providers; 

•    Provide linkage to resources, such as DPSS, Social Security, Medi-Cal, and act as liaison for clients with those resources;

•    Match clients with appropriate housing opportunities through field-based housing search, including but not limited to short-term crisis housing, federally assisted housing, substance abuse programs, and low-income housing; 

•    Collect eligibility documents as required;

•    Provide assistance with the completion of all applications for housing placements;

•    Provide linkage to resources assisting clients in completing applications for financial assistance programs such as the Short-Term Rental Mortgage Utility (STRMU) grant and the Permanent Housing Placement (PHP) grant; 

•    Work with clients and their current and previous supports to develop individual case plans to help them meet initial and intermediate goals in the areas of education and employment, housing stability, financial stability, positive healthy outcomes, and permanent connections;

•    Conduct required home visits to ensure clients are successfully maintaining their permanent housing;

•    Work effectively and creatively as a member of an interdisciplinary team to support the needs of clients;

•    Attend and present clients in weekly case conference meetings to coordinate services with internal and outside service providers;

•    Maintain statistical client data, including entering client data into HMIS Clarity databases and HCID Bitfocus as determined by contract requirements;  

•    Maintain complete and accurate files documenting all care and services provided in the client’s Electronic Medical Record;

•    Work a flexible schedule to be able to connect with participants and landlords when they are available; this may include evenings and weekends;

•    Interact in a professional manner with staff and clients;

•    Exercise appropriate judgment and decision-making skills;

•    Use standard office machinery including personal computers and printers in performance of duties;

•    Assist in data auditing tasks, prepare reports as required, and submit in a timely manner;

•    Participate in staff meetings, agency meetings, planning meetings, and other meetings as needed;

•    Comply with requirements of OSHA, HIPAA, and other applicable regulations;

•    Other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

•    Minimum of three years experience in direct service as a case manager with HIV/AIDS clients, homeless clients, clients with other chronic illnesses, or housing case management/navigation;

•    Knowledge of HIV infection, transmission, treatment, and prevention a plus;

•    Knowledge of community resources and referrals for HIV, mental health, case management, and additional appropriate referrals;

•    Valid driver’s license with access to reliable transportation and automotive insurance; 

•    Training in Motivational Interviewing and Trauma Informed training a plus;

•    Ability to have a “whatever it takes” attitude when working with challenging individuals;

•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong organizational, detail, and interpersonal skills;

•    Excellent Computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office, word processing, Electronic Health Records, and other software systems;

•    Ability to be self-motivated and dedicated to initiating and completing complex tasks;

•    Ability to handle multiple tasks, be detailed oriented, and maintain strict confidentiality of medical information;

•    Able to work well independently with minimum supervision;

•    Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills a plus;

•    Knowledge of or experience working with the LGBTQ community and familiarity with issues of relevance to LGBTQ people;

•    A passion for the Center’s work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people;

•    Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment.

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND LICENSURE:

•    AHA CPR certification

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering diversity within its staff. Applications are encouraged from all persons regardless of their race, color, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, religion, disability, age, military or veteran status, including status as a victim of domestic violence, assault or stalking, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation or activities, medical or health conditions, and marital status.

The Center requires that all staff working in Health Services clinical site locations receive the most up-to-date Influenza vaccinations and strongly recommends that staff also receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine. Staff not working at any of the Center’s clinical sites are encouraged to receive the latest COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines but are not required to do so. For more information, please contact [email protected].