Sea Mar Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to Latinos in Washington State. Sea Mar proudly serves all persons without regard to race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, or sexual orientation, and regardless of ability to pay for services. Sea Mar's network of services includes more than 90 medical, dental, and behavioral health clinics and a wide variety of nutritional, social, and educational services. We are recruiting for the following position:

Sea Mar is a mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccine organization

Behavioral Health Housing Placement Specialist – Posting #26145

Hourly/Rate: $22.50

Position Summary:

Full-time position available for the Behavioral Health Program in Vancouver, WA. This position is responsible for the coordination of housing placement for clients with chronic conditions and behavioral health needs. As a member of the Housing/Homeless Outreach Teams, the Housing Placement Specialist will participate in daily huddles, identify the client’s needs according to protocols, and provide point of care services. This position will provide support to the Homeless Outreach and Housing teams.   The position will take their direct referrals for housing placement and collect all documents needed to complete client’s applications to all qualified housing placements, lists, subsidies, etc.  This position will actively monitor those lists, applications, etc. for progress towards acceptance and update the client and the Sea Mar outreach and housing staff when the status has changed so that the client can be placed in housing as quickly as possible.  The Housing Placement Specialist is responsible for enhancing quality and client-centered care at Sea Mar Community Health Centers.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Client Care Coordination

• Housing Placement Specialists will be the primary staff responsible for identifying eligibility requirements that apply to any referral from an outreach programs.  Once the eligibility housing, subsidy, voucher, etc. eligibility match is identified, the Placement Specialist remains the primary staff facilitating the completion of that application process.  That process includes, gathering all required documentation, including birth cert, social security card and photo identification.  It also includes proof of income, proof of homelessness and other related demographics information. 
• Assist the client with the housing application process, facilitate landlord-tenant communication and in the case that the client is not eligible for any supported housing case management, the Placement Specialist would provide that service as well.
• Housing Placement Specialists will additionally be responsible for monitoring any completed application for a subsidy, voucher, low income unit to assure that the application is proceeding and that as soon as the client is approved, the next steps in the process are completed timely so that the client is placed in housing.   
• Develop a housing stability plan for any referral.  This plan would include address issue that would impede access to housing such as criminal history, legal issues, past debt and past evictions and credit history.
• Develop relationships with housing providers including public housing agencies, veterans’ housing assistance programs, and private owners/managers. This position will also facilitate landlord-tenant communication as needed.
• Work with the care team to identify gaps in care and work to resolve them using process improvement strategies.
• Provides interventions and/or referrals to other providers to assist consumer in meeting treatment and level of care needs.  Interventions may include individual, family, and group modalities, and may include counseling, case management, vocational rehabilitation, system coordination, consumer advocacy, and crisis management.
• The position will provide education, links and referrals to mainstream benefits, community resources and support services including treatment and skills training.
• Will be responsible for monitoring, compiling and submitting data, reporting, and paperwork for the program.
• Advocate for client services with housing, community, social service, and medical providers.
• Participate and coordinate care plans for client’s who have been living without shelter.
• Connect clients to Sea Mar and non-Sea Mar resources as appropriate and track all resources available to clients. These services may include but are not limited to insurance enrollment, preventive health services, behavioral health, medical, and care management.
• Assist clients with ongoing self-management goal setting based on mutual goal setting and with emphasis on client decision-making utilizing motivational interviewing skills.
• Follow up with patient to evaluate their condition and address barriers to care plan.
• Participate in group visits and planned visit events providing care coordination support.
• Disseminate information regarding care for chronic illnesses and/or mental health and behavioral issues to the homeless outreach teams.
• In consultation with the Manager of homeless services, organize, design and develop program structure.
• Exhibit excellent customer service skills by using active listening skills, greeting patients in a welcoming manner, making them their only priority when providing services and assist in meeting the client’s needs.
• Other duties as assigned by the Behavioral Health Supervisor or Community Support Services Program Manager.

 Education and/or Experience:

• Peer Support Certification.
• Possess or obtain an Agency Affiliated Credential.
• BA/BS/BSW in health related field with one year of experience working with the homeless population preferred. Three (3) years of experience in resource facilitation and working with the homeless population may substitute for education.  
• This position must obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR within 90 days of hire date and is required to maintain current BLS CPR throughout employment.
• Valid WA State Driver’s License and proof of liability insurance.

What We Offer:

Sea Mar offers talented and motivated people the opportunity to work in a dynamic and growing community health organization. Working at Sea Mar Community Health Centers is more than just a job, it’s a fulfilling career with opportunity for advancement. The fringe benefits surpass most companies. For example, Full-time employees working 30 hours or more, receive an excellent benefit package of:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription coverage
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Paid-time-off starting at 24 days per year 10 paid Holidays.

We also offer 401(k)/Retirement options and an exciting opportunity to work in a culturally diverse environment. 

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, complete the online application and click SUBMIT or APPLY NOW. If you have any questions regarding the position, email Jeni O'Neil, Program Manager at jenioneil@seamarchc.org. Please reference the posting number on the subject of your email. 

Sea Mar is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Posted on 02/22/2024

External candidates considered after 02/27/2024

This position is represented by Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).

Please visit our website to learn more about us at www.seamar.org. You may also apply thru our Career page at https://www.seamar.org/jobs-general.html