Medical Case Worker, Interim Housing Outreach Program

Salary: $22.44 - $26.05 Per Hour
SUMMARY
Housing for Health (HFH) is a program office within Health Services Administration, a division under the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS). HFH was created and put into implementation in support of the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative recommendations in response to and in support of the County's effort to address and combat homelessness in the communities residing within Los Angeles County. Our organization follows a hybrid work structure where employees work both remotely and from the office, as needed.
In response to the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles (LA), the LA County Departments of Health Services (DHS), Mental Health (DMH), and Public Health (DPH) are coming together to form regional, field-based, multidisciplinary Interim Housing Outreach Program (IHOP) teams to address gaps in behavioral health and physical health services among functionally disabled people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in Interim Housing (IH) settings. These teams will perform comprehensive assessments of high-risk PEH in IH settings, refer them to supportive services, increase their function and safety within their current environments, and assist them with transitioning them to higher levels of care, as appropriate. These IHOP teams will serve clients in shelters, motels, and other temporary housing locations in all eight Service Areas in Los Angeles County.
The Medical Case Worker (MCW) for the IHOP program will be responsible for interviewing, counseling, and assisting patients/clients with social problems which may have a bearing on the patient's/client's illness, treatment, and function. The MCW works within the multidisciplinary team to assess the resource and housing needs, situations, strengths, and support networks. The IHOP MCW will establish close collaboration with clients to facilitate the development and execution of personalized care plans, ensuring the fulfillment of their needs and the support of their goals. The MCW will actively engage in conducting needs assessment and care planning, delivering supportive services, managing cases, maintaining documentation and reporting, advocating for clients, and performing other vital functions as needed.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Under close direction of the professional staff, the MCW functions as a member of a multidisciplinary IHOP medical team providing services to clients licensed care facilities to perform the following functions:

• Conduct face to face comprehensive assessments of patients' medical, functional, and housing support needs.
• Develop individualized care plans for low-risk clients in collaboration with the patient, healthcare team, and other relevant parties.
• Provide ongoing follow-up and services/supports according to the established care plan through the duration of the client enrollment in the IHOP program.
• Utilizes environmental data gathered in relation to the medical or mental health problems to make recommendations concerning the provision of services that will ensure maximum benefits for each patient.
• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the care plan, ensuring timely access to necessary medical services.
• Regularly evaluate and update the care plan based on the patient's progress and changing needs.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of client assessments, care plans, interventions, and progress.
• Coordinate with insurance providers, public agencies, and community organizations to advocate for clients' access to necessary resources and services.
• Comply with legal and ethical guidelines regarding client confidentiality and information security.
• Advocate for clients' rights and assist in resolving any barriers to accessing healthcare services.
• Educate clients about their living conditions and self-care techniques.
• Assist clients in understanding and adhering to prescribed medication regimens and healthcare recommendations.
• Offer information and referrals to relevant community resources and support services.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals, social workers, and other stakeholders to ensure effective communication and coordination of care.
• Facilitate communication between the client, facility operator and the healthcare team, ensuring that all parties are well-informed and involved in decision-making.
• Attend interdisciplinary meetings and contribute insights regarding clients' medical and psychosocial needs.
• Prepare reports summarizing client' medical and social situations, highlighting any significant changes or concerns.
• Makes referrals to and works with various public and private health, mental health or other agencies to resolve client's personal and social problems.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)
• A valid California Class C Driver's License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions, including driving to locations throughout Los Angeles County
• Successful clearing through the Live Scan and the Health Clearance process with the County of Los Angeles.

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Professional casework experience interviewing, counseling, and assisting patients/clients with social problems.
• Experience providing services to patients and clients in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation, residential, or health care facilities.
• Homeless health care experience.
• Familiarity with complex care management services for the care of high-need/high-cost Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
• In-depth knowledge of medical terminology, healthcare systems, and available community resources.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish rapport with diverse individuals and build effective relationships. Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities. Empathy, compassion, and a genuine desire to help others.
• Familiarity with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards in healthcare.
• Proficiency in using computer systems and healthcare software for documentation and data management.
• Demonstrated teaching and communication skills with non-clinical and clinical staff.
• Experience/expertise in trauma-informed care and harm reduction principles.
• Familiarity with Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Health and community mental health and substance use programs and resources.
• Physical class 2: light physical effort/lifting up to 10 lbs., some bending, stooping or squatting, and considerable walking.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
General Office Setting
Interim Housing shelters, motels, and tiny homes located in all eight Service Panning Areas (SPAs) throughout Los Angeles County
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)