Soma Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This is a union eligible position. 

PROGRAM SUMMARY

HealthRIGHT 360, a family of programs, is located across 13 different counties in California. HealthRIGHT 360 provides an array of medical and behavioral health services to some of the most marginalized populations, ranging from primary care, mental health services, detox, substance use disorder treatment in both residential and outpatient settings, and transitional services for the criminal justice population.

SOMA RISE program participants are 18 and over adults who are under the influence of substances and need short term assistance and support. The team works to engage participants in health resources, however great or small. The program operates a 24-hour, welcoming, compassionate, trauma-informed, culturally attuned, and user-responsive space that focuses on the principles of harm reduction. Alongside providing a safe, comfortable space for clients, our emphasis is on supporting people at increased risk of substance use-related high-risk behaviors and trauma, homelessness, and death due to overdose. Priority will be given to clients’ safety, and all staff will be trained in OD Prevention, Recognition, Response and Narcan Administration. By recognizing the dignity and humanity of all participants, HR360 aspires:

• To reduce barriers for people who use drugs to access a non-judgmental and participant-centered SOMA RISE Program opportunity to support clients addressing the inter-related harms of homelessness, substance use, and trauma.
• To provide radical hospitality and support to marginalized populations in a welcoming, optimally safe, compassionate, trauma-informed, culturally attuned, and user-responsive space that focuses on the principles of harm reduction.
• To help address and reduce the harmful impacts of substance-related harms in the immediate and surrounding neighborhood, by providing an appropriate space for individuals who are experiencing substance use related crisis/disfunction, including reducing deaths due to overdose and promoting restorative approaches to conflict.
• To create a stigma-free zone for SOMA RISE services that will elicit and incorporate the needs and preferences of persons who use drugs in San Francisco into the program’s mission, policies, practices, and development.
• To continuously monitor the successes and challenges of the Program to learn how to improve the service delivery of this community-based model.
• To collaborate with the community partners, including community-based harm reduction, treatment, and wellness resources to create more sustainable links to resources for individuals during and after their SOMA RISE stay.

JOB SUMMARY 

The Health Worker I in Harm Reduction Services SOMA Rise program provides care, engagement, support, and documentation for participants in the HR360 SOMA RISE program. As a part of a collaborative team with Health Worker II's, Program Supervisors, and Safety Monitors, Health Worker I will ensure participant safety and comfort while supporting them in adhering to the participant guidelines of the program. The team works to engage participants in health resources, however great or small. The Health Worker I will model and demonstrate healthy COVID transmission prevention behaviors, wearing appropriate PPE and practicing physical distancing, while they observe and monitor participants, and support them in meeting their needs in accordance with the program. The Health Worker I will be required to complete and approve program documentation and assist in connecting our participants to ongoing services and support, and others as they arise. Health Worker IIs, as the more experienced Health Worker, will step in during moments of crisis to assist in de-escalation.

The Health Worker I will be required to work nights and weekends. Health Worker I may also be designated to fill the role of Health and Safety Representative including monthly safety training, emergency drills, maintaining safety supplies, updating emergency response plans, and attending safety meetings.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Direct Service Responsibilities:

• Treat program participants with respect and dignity, interacting with them in a caring, non-judgmental manner, utilizing harm reduction and trauma-informed care principles.
• Take participant vital signs as appropriate per protocol
• Interviews and screens clients, identifies patient's general condition and assists with client’s needs through consultation with professional staff; may perform crisis intervention activities.
• Engage participants in compassionate ways to build motivation toward health initiatives in their own lives.

• Respond to participants’ needs, ensure that SOMA RISE protocols are being addressed, and, to respond to crises (e.g., conflict) and overdose with crisis de-escalation interventions and Narcan.
• Monitor SOMA RISE safety adherence and general well-being of all participants and call 911 when needed.
• Take the lead in response and de-escalation in cases of moderate to severe displays of aggression or physical ailment including calling 911.
• Attend to SOMA RISE program milieu to help maintain safe space for participants.
• Verbally de-escalates tense, high-pressure, and emotionally charged situations.
• Provide health education and support in accordance with harm reduction principles.
• Work as an active team member along with other health workers, janitors, safety monitors, and supervisors to maintain safety, calm tone, and cleanliness of program.
• Complete SOMA RISE program intakes by welcoming people, informing them of program norms/parameters/resources, and documenting their participation.
• Monitor SOMA RISE safety adherence and general well-being of all participants and call 911 when needed.
• If necessary, to provide proactive “warm handoff” referral and linkages for participants to hospital care, substance use treatment, health, and social services.
• Chaperone “fresh air” breaks, “smoking breaks”, on-site food delivery service, and other onsite services.
• Engage clients and provide resources on overdose prevention, safe use and harm reduction interventions.

Administrative/Compliance Responsibilities:

• Engage with community partners around participant referrals.
• Complete observation logs, document rounds and observations of the milieu, and every 30 minutes for those sleeping.
• Attend internal program staff meetings and administrative supervision including regular shift meetings and various ad hoc meetings.
• Along with the Team, take ownership to ensure the overall quality of customer and health services at program.
• Fill the role of Health & Safety Representative including monthly safety trainings, emergency drills, maintain safety supplies, update emergency response plan, and attend safety meetings.

Training Responsibilities:

• Participate in ongoing trainings on radical hospitality, harm reduction, OD Prevention/Narcan Administration, anti-stigma, crisis response and de-escalation.
• Basic drug knowledge, motivational interviewing, customer service, trauma-informed service provision, team-based care, and other related topics.

And perform other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Certification, and Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Possess at least 2 of the following:
• Basic Life Support or other advanced first aid certification
• AOD Certification and 2 years' experience working in a crisis environment
• Crisis De-escalation Training Certification
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Certified Medical Assistant
• Experience working successfully with diverse populations specifically with issues of substance abuse, mental health, criminal background, and other potential barriers to economic self-sufficiency.
• Experience working with people who use drugs and people experiencing homelessness.

• Overdose Prevention and Narcan Administration trained within 30 days of employment.
• We value a lived experience of homelessness, illicit drug use, and alcohol use.
• Proficiency with harm reduction, restorative justice, and trauma-informed care preferred.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of health and social services throughout the city of San Francisco
• Knowledge of trauma informed care/treatment, co-occurring disorders, and harm reduction services.
• Knowledge of substance use and health concerns of people who inject drugs and use substances, and who are experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to speak candidly and knowledgeably about substance use

• Ability to implement de-escalation techniques, follow safely protocols, and use sound judgment in making independent decisions
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and sometimes chaotic environment with people who can be high, who may have untreated mental and/or physical health challenges.
• Knowledge of Clinical documentation (treatment plans, progress notes, etc.) preferred
• Knowledge of co-occurring disorders and trauma informed treatment preferred.
• Overdose prevention and Narcan administration preferred.