Underscore Works

PURPOSE: 

The Jewish Board’s Adult Residential Division supports Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind adults with serious and persistent mental illness to live in the community with as much independence as possible. Using a non-judgmental, harm-reduction approach, staff model and guide residents to create and meet personalized recovery goals, develop independent living skills, and live in a healthy and secure manner. Our work is guided by principles that underscore the critical importance of stable housing, use a culturally competent and anti-racist lens, and respect the dignity and legitimacy of each individual’s journey. 

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Case Assistant is the introductory level of direct care staff working within the Jewish Board’s supported housing programs to help residents live in the community as independently as possible

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Resident Support

• Works one-on-one with residents to support their attainment of independent living skills (daily planning, financial management, etc.) and individual goals.
• Helps residents carry out activities of daily living (personal hygiene, dressing, meal preparation, laundry, etc.).
• Advocates on behalf of residents with other services providers and in a way that takes into account health disparities and systemic racism.
• Interprets and explains agency policies and procedures to residents.
• Participates in monthly collaborative walk-throughs of unit/apartment with residents.
• Escorts residents to appointments, as needed.
• Facilitates monthly roommate meetings, when appropriate.
• Assists residents with physically demanding tasks, such as carrying groceries, laundry, and other household items, as needed.
• Heats fully cooked foods, on occasion.
• Resolves crises and de-escalates situations threatening resident comfort and well-being.
• For congregate settings only: Performs safety rounds of the program and wellness checks, as necessary.

Administrative Support and Coordination

• Supports clinical and case associate staff in their work with residents.
• Provides services to those residents within the scope of program regulations and agency mission.
• Completes regular and timely documentation of all resident interactions, including informational notes.
• Files incident reports, as appropriate.
• Participates in planning and execution of special and holiday events.
• Participates in regular staff meetings and trainings.
• Travels to off-site meetings and trainings, as needed.

CORE COMPETENCIES for the position include:

Knowledge and Attributes 

• Understanding of how mental illness, substance use disorders, or trauma can affect the lives of individuals in the community.
• Experience working with individuals living with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or trauma required.
• Knowledge of local and state health and human service systems and their navigation.
• Understanding of the demanding processes of stabilization and recovery.
• Commitment to working with individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, a history of trauma, and/or homelessness.
• Compassion and respect for vulnerable individuals.
• Openness to approaching the work through an anti-racist lens, engaging in continuous learning, and putting that learning into practice to support our diverse resident population.
• The ability to stay calm in a variety of situations, some of which may be stressful.
• Patience and empathy for individuals on their journey to recovery.

Skills

• Communication: Conveys information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing; practices active listening; engages residents respectfully.
• Self-sufficiency and initiative: Assesses, initiates, and completes tasks independently; contributes to the organization’s mission and team’s goals; researches and pursues professional development opportunities.
• Interpersonal relations: Demonstrates cultural sensitivity, interacts with colleagues and residents professionally and respectfully.
• Problem-solving: Analyzes situations objectively, generates or researches solutions independently
• Quality assurance: Attends to detail, follows standard operating procedures, and consistently produces work of high quality.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with teams and models collaborative teamwork, takes appropriate action on constructive feedback. 
• Organizational skills: Manages time effectively; respects deadlines; prioritizes multiple, emerging, and complex demands; demonstrates flexibility.
• Crisis management: Identifies situations in the environment that can evolve into a crisis, maintains calm during a crisis, has solid crisis de-escalation skills or is willing to learn specific skills to de-escalate a crisis.
• Good judgement: Manages risk and ensures safety of residents independently recognizes and acts on situations requiring intervention by a supervisor or higher authority.

EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING REQUIRED:

• High school degree or HSE (required).
• Two years of experience in a Human Services or Community Mental Health setting preferred
• Fluent in American Sign Language

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite of products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Ability and willingness to learn new systems and application software.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL EFFORT

• Ability to travel to visit residents in apartments or to escort residents in the community. 
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to drive agency van preferred.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds to assist residents and to manage stairs in walk-up buildings as needed.