Case Manager, Substance Use & Harm Reduction Specialist, C3 Skid Row

Summary

With the support of and in partnership with the C3 team, the Case Manager, Substance Use Harm Reduction Specialist performs a variety of tasks to assist the most vulnerable and chronically homeless individuals in improving their safety and/or their recovery from substances. The C3 program serves individuals living on the streets of Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles.
 

The C3 street outreach program is part of a LA County approved strategy to combat homelessness. The goal of C3 is to create a countywide network of multidisciplinary, integrated street-based teams to identify, engage, and connect, or re-connect homeless individuals to interim and/or permanent housing, supportive services, and life-saving care. The Senior Case Manager provides harm reduction support and case management for program members, and assists members in gaining admission to more intensive substance use and harm reduction treatment settings as needed. The Senior Case Manager- Substance Use, will assist the C3 program in being a leader in health-based harm reduction approaches to substance use. They will identify gaps in knowledge and client services, and provide trainings in harm reduction and substance use to all C3 Case Managers and Clinicians.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1.     Train and support team members in utilizing harm reduction and motivational interviewing strategies to support the health and autonomy of clients.
2.     Facilitate monthly Substance Use Case Manager Meetings to identify and set goals based on trends in use, overdose, and substance use/sexual health needs. Findings will be shared on a monthly basis with C3 Leadership.
3.     Provide support and oversight for Narcan and harm reduction supplies distribution to the community.
4.     Take an active role in agency level trainings/committees on harm reduction, health, and substance use as needed.
5.     Encourage and promote an environment that is strength based to assist clients in meeting their individual goals.
6.     Street outreach to identified homeless persons working with the team to engage in services and accept treatment from the program staff assist with the enrollment process as needed.
7.     Provide support to team members on assisting clients in navigating substance use and health care systems, transitioning from streets to home, and accessing needed recourses in the community, with special attention to increasing harm reduction interventions. 
8.    Provide referrals to allied critical healthy living services for clients on caseload. Refer target clientele to appropriate services (e.g., health, mental health, interim housing, etc.), and collaborate on care.
9.     Document and account for time spent on client contacts and activities in client record in accordance with agency and funder standards.
10.  Maintain a current, thorough knowledge of ongoing developments and new techniques in the fields of substance use, harm reduction, mental health, and behavioral health community resources and utilize these to provide comprehensive, wrap-around services to clients.

Qualifications

1. Certification in substance use counseling preferred

2. Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.

3. Minimum two years’ experience as a substance use counselor and/or case manager, in an accredited substance use treatment facility (experience in a dual-diagnosis setting   preferred) or a harm reduction-based setting with individuals with chaotic substance use.

4. Passion for working in a high tolerance Harm Reduction model with clients who have multiple barriers.

5. Computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel

6. Detail oriented with excellent time management, organizational, written, verbal, and computer skills

7. Able to learn quickly and work effectively with a wide range of constituencies and with minimal supervision
8. Familiar with Harm Reduction strategies and methods 

Preferred Qualifications

1. Working knowledge of criminal justice system

2. Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus

3. Minimum 30 WPM typing speed

WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. Office environment with occasional field activities with Wellness participants and staff

2. Regularly required to sit, stand, bend and occasionally lift or carry up to 35 pounds
3. May be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise and odor
4. May need to bend, stoop, twist, and sit throughout the day