Housing Advocate
Brigham & Women's Hospital(BWH)

Job Info

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GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

At Mass General Brigham we believe in equal access to quality care, employment and advancement opportunities encompassing the full spectrum of human diversity: race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other forms of human presence and expression that make us better able to provide innovative and cutting-edge healthcare and research.

The Housing Advocate will provide assessment, housing search support, referral services and follow up monitoring to patients experiencing housing insecurity who receive care at a Brigham and Women's Hospital affiliated primary care practices. This role involves a variety of administrative and field activities to coordinate applications to housing resources, referrals to agencies and develop housing plans for patients.

The overall goal of the Housing Advocate is to provide support services to promote patient's self-sufficiency and housing stability. In addition, the Housing Advocate will develop a trusting working relationship with patients who are also supported by the primary care team that includes primary care physicians, care coordinators, community health workers and social workers.

Although a Housing Advocate is not in a clinical role, the capacity to learn basic clinical concepts to identify when a referral to a licensed clinician is appropriate is an important skill. Familiarity with an Electronic Health Record, especially Epic, is preferred. Additionally, the Housing Advocate will need to build and manage partnerships with community housing agencies to facilitate the resource identification and referral process. Applicants must be comfortable with ambiguity, independent, proactive, and familiar with concepts of continuous quality improvement.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage and track incoming housing need referrals
• Assess housing barriers and determine housing and service needs
• Assist eligible patients with all aspects of housing search and placement into permanent housing
• Work with patients to devise an appropriate housing search strategy; complete housing applications and prepare necessary documentation for landlords and/or housing authorities
• Research resources and programs available for patients including but not limited to housing assistance and support programs; legal, financial and insurance resources; health education material
• When necessary, escort patient to community-based providers and resources
• Refer patients to other Social Care Team programs who need additional resources, such as health benefits, apply for disability, and so on.
• Proactively develop and maintain strong working relationships with the clinic-based care team, including social workers, iCMP nurses, Community Health Workers, Community Resource Specialists, and local community-based agencies
• Provide culturally sensitive and responsive services to patients from diverse communities
• Follow documentation criteria for each patient encounter
• Prepare reports and documents as needed or requested
• Attend initial and continuing education training programs including self-directed reading and in-person and online learning
• Participate in team meetings and collaborate with teams across work streams, including cross-coverage and support as needed
• Flexibility required to meet the needs of larger health system including providing coverage for team members and other sites as needed
• Other duties as reasonably assigned

Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1-3 years experience working in human services, particularly within housing stabilization.
• High school degree required; Associates Degree or Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience successfully working with diverse and historically underserved populations.
• Experience working across interdisciplinary teams to improve patient's health and wellness.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Local community resident with good knowledge of the resources in the community.
• Prior experience as an advocate, community resource specialist, health coach or outreach worker desired; health care experience preferred.
• Prior experience in a housing search advocate role or related position (case management, property management, community organizing/advocacy) preferred.
• Experience with homeless adults and/or families preferred.
• Knowledge of subsidized and private housing resources and regulations preferred.
• Ability to exercise judgment in the application of human services and necessary follow-up.
• Demonstrated commitment to impacting the care of patients with demonstrated Social Determinants of Health needs.
• Prior experience using motivational interviewing preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize, plan and structure workday with minimal supervision
• Comfortable with field visits, outreach, and accompanying patients (e.g., housing court)

• Computer skills: working knowledge, familiarity with computer, software including use of email, data tracking
• Willingness to learn and further develop skills reflective of best practices and trends in the field.
• Fluency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Portuguese preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Need to be able to work from home, office, or community, and travel to and from visits and meetings. Hours will be primarily 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.

This is a contract position with the possibility of extension/permanent at the end of this two-year pilot period.

EEO Statement
Brigham and Women's Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

This job has expired.