Community Health Team - Housing Support Specialist

Thundermist Health Center - Woonsocket, RI

Full-time - Entry Level

Woonsocket, RI

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

The Housing Support Specialist is a vital member of the Integrated Care Management department at Thundermist Health Center, dedicated to providing community-based services under the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) through the Home Stabilization Initiative. This role is specifically designed to assist Medicaid patients who are at risk of homelessness due to mental health issues or complex physical health needs. The Housing Support Specialist will engage with patients who have a history of eviction, frequent turnover of in-home caregivers, institutionalization, or substance use that affects their ability to maintain housing. The primary focus of the Housing Support Specialist is to facilitate collaborative and intensive coordination of services that promote housing stability. This includes working closely with patients to develop a personalized Home Stabilization Service Plan that reflects their needs and preferences. The plan will be regularly updated in accordance with Medicaid standards and will encompass a range of time-limited services aimed at helping individuals secure and maintain their housing. These services may include life skills training, home tenancy support, and assistance in finding suitable housing. The Housing Support Specialist will also collaborate with various service providers to create a comprehensive support system for individuals facing housing challenges. In this role, the Housing Support Specialist will meet patients in various community settings, including their homes and hospitals, and will need to travel throughout Rhode Island to provide necessary support. The position requires a flexible approach to service delivery, ensuring that the needs of each patient are met in a manner that fosters independence and self-sufficiency in their housing situation. The Housing Support Specialist will also be responsible for documenting all interactions and maintaining confidentiality in accordance with Thundermist policies and Medicaid guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide time-limited supports to build skills that promote independence and ensure successful housing maintenance.
• Develop a person-centered Home Stabilization Service Plan collaboratively with the patient and other service providers.
• Coordinate with patients to review, update, and modify their housing support and crisis plan regularly.
• Conduct patient screening and housing assessments to identify preferences and barriers related to successful tenancy.
• Document all providers engaged in a beneficiary's care, including healthcare and social service providers.
• Identify and facilitate connections to new services that may help beneficiaries maintain housing and health.
• Engage in case conferencing with other providers to coordinate care and share progress.
• Leverage information technology platforms to facilitate information sharing and coordination among providers.
• Assist individuals with the housing application and search process, including identifying resources for moving expenses.
• Ensure the living environment is safe and ready for move-in.
• Connect individuals to education and training on landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Attend internal and external meetings as required and provide feedback to assigned departments.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) with at least 1 year of professional experience in a related field.
• Completion of training or training program upon hire from EOHHS for Home Stabilization services.
• Knowledge of principles and methods of Home Stabilization Services to support beneficiaries in independent community settings.
• Broad knowledge base of relevant professional, technical, and clinical information across assigned departments.
• Experience in community health, public health, population health management, chronic disease management, or community case management.
• Proven success in handling difficult conversations with various levels of staff.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with patients, care teams, and external community agencies.
• Professionalism, self-starter, autonomous, leadership skills, customer service orientation, and problem-solving abilities.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Medicaid services and documentation standards.
• Familiarity with community resources and support services for housing stabilization.
• Skills in conflict resolution and negotiation.

Benefits

• Competitive hourly pay ranging from $21.52 to $26.91.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.
• Supportive work environment focused on diversity and inclusion.