Safety Navigator
: Job Details :

Job Details

Job Location: CARE Center - Redding, CA

Position Type: Part Time

Salary Range: $21.00 - $21.00 Hourly

Job Category: Health Care

Hill Country Community Clinic

Job Description

Job Title: Safety Navigator Part Time

Department: CARE Center

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Hourly

Hours: Saturdays and Sundays 12-9 p.m.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Safety Navigator position is based at Hill Country's urgent mental health resource center, the CARE Center (Counseling and Recovery Engagement Center). This walk-in clinic is located in downtown Redding and open 365 days/year from 12pm-9pm. All services and resources are available cost-free to anyone. Most people seeking help at the CARE Center present with urgent mental health or trauma-related concerns, very serious relationship problems, suicidal thoughts, addiction-related difficulties, or other complicated life stressors. Many are seeking help with basic needs and some people come in frightened, sorrowful, frustrated, or highly agitated. We serve all ages and everyone is welcome.

The Safety Navigator works Saturdays and Sundays, 12:00pm-9:00pm, and is a critical member of a team that includes highly-dedicated, caring, and skillful mental health therapists and case managers who provide prompt, professional and compassionate care to anyone who needs it. The Intake Coordinator is stationed in an open reception area, which serves as a hub for all staff and client activity flow. From this place, they welcome everyone who comes in the door or calls on the phone. They initiate critical, caring conversations, screen for urgent needs and risks, collect important and sensitive information, and provide guidance and support throughout the visit. While waiting to see a therapist or case manager, clients may be distressed, confused, disorganized, angry, or impaired and the Intake Coordinator provides calming comfort and assistance using a variety of practical and relational strategies. Some people seeking help have simple needs that are addressed in a matter of minutes while others require many hours of intervention and support from multiple team members. Every situation is unique and so are our Team's responses, but our kind and caring approach is consistent. We are trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, strengths-based, and we are committed to improving outcomes for the most vulnerable, marginalized, and at risk people in our community. The Intake Coordinator/Safety Navigator also performs a variety of administrative tasks vital to program operations.

At times a frustrated, fearful, or angry person will require immediate and intensive mental health first aid to successfully de-escalate and regain the ability to self-manage their emotions and behavior. At times, CARE Center staff may need extra support to ensure safety and security, and restore the sense of calm, comfort and meaningful connection within the building and surrounding areas during and after challenging situations. The Intake Coordinator/Safety Navigator provides that extra support using learned skills and strategies, along with innate empathy and authentic compassion.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Safety Navigator works together with others using a whatever it takes approach to prevent harm, stabilize crises, and promote healing, recovery, wellness and resilience. Success in this position requires competency and consistency in the areas listed below.

1. Daily actions and responsibilities include the following:

* Proactively ensure that the client experience feels friendly, caring, professional, and helpful

* Proactively ensure that the CARE Center feels safe, clean, comfortable and welcoming for all, both inside and outside

* Monitor and manage level and flow of activity in common areas and outside to ensure a positive experience for clients coming in and a sense of calm and comfort for those already present

* Answer phones professionally and compassionately, including crisis calls; route appropriately

* Verbally welcome and establish positive rapport with persons walking in for services

* Orient clients to services and resources, inquire about needs and reasons for seeking help

* Listen fully, compassionately, and non-judgmentally

* Make affirming statements, offer unconditional positive regard, and assure of available help

* Guide through the intake and screening process, answer questions, and assist in completing forms

* Provide information and referrals in person and on phone

* Identify and address comfort needs and immediate basic needs (food, water, restrooms, etc.)

* Facilitate warm hand-off of clients to appropriate CARE Center staff

* Collaborate with and assist other CARE Center staff in addressing client needs/goals

* Be alert and responsive to client risks, mental status, general behavior, and other variables

* Monitor safety and security, skillfully use prevention strategies to reduce risks

* use de-escalation techniques and calming strategies,

* Skillfully engage with persons in elevated, agitated, and unpredictable states to de-escalate and restore sense of calm, comfort and connection

* Seek additional help as needed and activate emergency services, when appropriate.

* Maintain healthy, professional boundaries, practice self-care, and routinely seek supervision and support.

2. Independently perform the following essential administrative tasks to ensure the success of the program:

* Ensure compliance with laws for management/storage of private health information

* Enter or scan intake-related information into electronic health record system

* Perform data entry for reporting

* Organize materials, resources, and supplies

* Aid with intra-agency communication

* Manage staffing and activity calendars

* Monitor and report program supply needs

* Monitor and report facility and equipment issues

* Report unusual events and incidents

3. Increase relevant knowledge and skills by participating in available training and learning opportunities, including job shadowing and cross-training. All staff are strongly encouraged to pursue work-related education and professional development.

4. Attend weekly team meetings, daily team check-ins, monthly all staff meetings, and other meetings as appropriate and relevant to position.

5. Other projects and tasks as assigned. Self-initiative is both encouraged and appreciated.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS:

* Adheres to Policies & Procedures

* Participates in team systems

* Performs duties ethically

* Maintains client confidentiality

* Demonstrates ability to re-prioritize duties as the need arises

* Uses time efficiently

* Be responsible for co-workers & client satisfaction

* Displays flexibility in accepting, changing or carrying out assignments

* Maintains a neat, clean & safe work environment throughout the facility

* Performs job duties in a quality manner

QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

* Minimum of 2 years of successful and satisfying experience in a direct customer service/administrative position;

* Minimum of 2 years of successful and satisfying experience working with vulnerable populations, such as persons living with mental illness, substance use disorders, or multiple severe life stressors or impairments.

* Demonstrated success in de-escalating high risk situations with persons who may be disruptive, destructive or potentially dangerous.

* Some college level coursework or enrollment in degree program in social work, psychology, sociology, communications, or health-related field of study is strongly preferred.

Certificates and Licenses:

Within first 90 days must complete Mental Health First Aid, Suicide Prevention and Intervention, CPR, Narcan administration. Must have current and clean CA driver license. Driving a clinic vehicle may occasionally be necessary.

Language Ability:

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to speak publicly and one-on-one in a genuinely kind, caring, and persuasive manner. Must effectively use verbal and nonverbal behavior to convey empathy, concern, competence, and authentic positive regard. Ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret complex documents. Must consistently communicate calmly, respectfully, and effectively during high stress situations or when hearing complaints.

Math Ability:

Must have basic math skills, ability to make simple calculations and estimations

Reasoning Ability:

Must have very high reasoning skills, especially ability to define problems, collect information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. For example, must form conclusions about mental status and potential risk based upon observable behavior and known risk factors, then make reasonable decisions regarding appropriate action to be taken.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have good working knowledge of Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet browsers and related software. Required to become proficient in use of agency's electronic health record system.

Equipment Skills:

Proficient with standard office equipment including computers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, printers, multi-line telephone systems.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Space/noise/congestion: This is a low barrier, walk-in urgent mental health center. The job setting in an open office space with individuals, families, and groups coming in with a wide range of presenting concerns and needs. This position involves working indoors in a reception area with a desk, computer, phones, and coworkers nearby with some time walking around outside every day to engage with clients and address any safety risks. Employees work as teams with a minimum of 3 people being onsite during open hours. There may be up to 15 co-workers onsite at times. The CARE Center is connected to a small medical clinic that adds an additional 5 to10 staff during their business hours. The noise level is kept at a low level when clients are present. There is talking and normal office, computer and printer noise. There is some ambient street noise as the building location is in a busy downtown area. Sometimes music is played in common areas and white noise machines are utilized to protect privacy.

Culture and coworkers: Hill Country's culture is driven by its mission. We are genuinely kind and compassionate, earnest in our efforts, and strive to help people from a whole person perspective. We recognize and build on our strengths and keep improving. The CARE Center is loved and enjoyed by all staff who have worked here, past and present. It is a unique place with a relaxed and comfortable vibe. Although the services are professional and very serious in nature, staff are friendly, outgoing, joke around a lot, and enjoy each other's company. We trust each other, rely on each other, and work well together. Camaraderie is very strong and we are united in purpose. Self-care is strongly advocated. We believe in being creative and persistent in our efforts with clients. We don't give up on people and we support each other.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee will frequently stand, walk, sit, use hands to write, and reach with hands and arms. Employees may occasionally climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds with assistance. Employees must regularly utilize close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.