Seasonal Social Services Specialist

Mission:

The mission of Bread for the City began as a front line agency in 1974 to help Washington, DC residents living with low income to develop their power to determine the future of their own communities. We provide food, clothing, medical care, and legal and Social Services to reduce the burden of poverty. We seek justice through community organizing and public advocacy. We work to uproot racism, a major cause of poverty. We are committed to treating our clients with the dignity and respect that all people deserve.

Position Profile:

Bread for the City’s primary care clinic is a medical home that seeks to provide wrap-around medical, behavioral and Social Services to all medical patients. The social work team builds capacity for the medical clinic to better serve its clients by assessing social needs and providing care management services to medical patients.

In addition, the Health Resource Room is a place where medical patients can go after they see their doctor to sign up for the patient portal, access health information and wellness programs, navigate the healthcare system, and obtain referrals to social service resources internally and externally.

The Seasonal Social Services Specialist will support the social work team in providing care management and taking shifts in the Health Resource Room.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provide immediate Social Services resources/referrals, or follow-up calls, when appropriate;
• Provide brief, supervised case management support for patients who need help with concrete social service needs, including My Health GPS patients;
• Support clients who are making dietary or other lifestyle changes and have been referred from providers or behavioral health specialists, particularly for My Health GPS population;
• Connect patients to free wellness resources throughout the city, including DC parks and rec classes, DC Office on Aging wellness centers;
• Return phone calls for clients calling in with resource questions.

Healthcare Literacy:

• Connect patients to the Patient Portal. Provide basic computer assistance 1 on 1 to support client’s access to the portal and other health information;
• Help clients learn about their condition and assist in finding health information through the use of video, literature and medically appropriate sites to answer health questions;
• Help clients to select a pharmacy, understand the referral process, book non emergency medical transport, troubleshoot PCA and medical equipment orders, etc.

Requirements:

• Bachelors or Masters degree or equivalent;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to multi-task and establish work priorities;
• Solid foundation in the use of a computer and internet search; comfort with google documents;
Commitment to racial equity and the work of undoing racism
• -particularly within the healthcare system;
• Commitment to learning about and addressing poverty and the complex social determinants that contribute to overall health and health care for our patients;
• Comfort with a fast-moving, collaborative work environment;
• Desire and ability to provide services within an atmosphere of dignity and respect;
• Ability to build rapport with diverse clients, coworkers and colleagues through effective communication, listening skills, and empathy;
• Commitment to social justice issues;
• Strong organizational and time management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to juggle multiple tasks and set priorities to meet deadlines;
• Professional demeanor, excellent customer service and telephone skills, and interpersonal skills;
• Experience working within a model of Trauma Informed Care or a desire to do so;
• Commitment to the following principles: staff and patient safety, trustworthiness and transparency, the value of lived experience, collaboration and mutuality, patient empowerment, belief in the importance of our patients, and resilience;
• Ability and commitment to document as needed and required by agency in appropriate databases;
• Strong computer skills, including the capacity to use Microsoft Office and learn other programs to manage a high volume of detailed information and responsibilities;
• Ability to work with volunteers and staff in a professional and collaborative manner;
• Familiarity with Google Organization & Productivity Tools (Gmail, Google Docs, Calendar) and/or ability to learn new technology systems;
• Willingness to learn and carry out Bread for the City's commitments to social justice and racial equity.

Bread for the City is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, family responsibility, physical or mental disability, medical condition, status as a veteran, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, except where a bona fide occupational qualification applies.

To apply:

You must complete an application through Bread for the City’s ADP portal. Click here to review available openings and click on "Seasonal Social Services Specialist" position. Then select "apply" at the top right hand corner to register for a login and apply for the position. Please upload a resume and cover letter that speaks to your interest and qualifications through this online application process. Your application will not be considered complete unless it includes a cover letter. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls.