PDX Care Coordination Practitioner

Position: Care Coordination Practitioner
Term: Full-time, hourly
Pay: $26/hour + health insurance, paid time off, and other benefits
Location: Portland, OR
Reports To: Care Coordination Manager

Organization Description:

Urban Alchemy is a nonprofit organization with the mission of transforming people and places through respect,
compassion, and love to heal communities challenged by the intersection of extreme poverty, mental illness,
addiction, and homelessness. The name Urban Alchemy references the process of spiritual and social
transformation that our staff engage in – both internally and in practice with all members of the public. Since our
founding in 2018, Urban Alchemy has grown into a thriving social enterprise with over 1,100 employees. We
provide community outreach and engagement, temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness, mobile
bathrooms and showers, and street cleaning services. Urban Alchemy currently operates in the San Francisco Bay
Area, Los Angeles County, Austin, Texas, and Portland, Oregon. Over 95% of Urban Alchemy employees, including
leadership, experienced incarceration and/or homelessness. For more information visit: https://urban-
alchemy.us/.

Position Summary:

The Care Coordination Practitioner uses the housing first model and trauma-informed care approach to help
adults experiencing homelessness. They conduct assessments and help guests establish and achieve their short
and long-term goals. The Practitioner works with guests to address immediate needs such as shelter, healthcare,
education, employment, benefits, and counseling. They also help guests find long-term housing and connect
them to resources to help maintain their housing and achieve self-sufficiency. The Practitioner makes referrals to
services, advocates for guests, coordinates assistance, and occasionally accompanies guests to appointments.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Position Specific:

• Ensure that interactions with guests are people-centered, solution-focused, and strengths-based
• Use the principles of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and housing first when working with guests
• Practice self-awareness and cultural humility as member of diverse team; be conscientious and sensitive to power and other interpersonal dynamics with other team members
• Build positive relationships and trust with housed and unhoused community members
• Engage with individuals in distress, assess the cause, and use strategies to de-escalate the situation
• Perform wellness checks for guests who requires close attention
• Maintain a caseload of 15-30 guests based on current needs and resources
• Work with guests to complete assessments, identify strengths and resources, and set goals
• Coordinate and monitor referrals to benefits, entitlements, health care, immigration services, employment opportunities, and other community services
• Manage contacts with outside agencies, acting as a guest liaison and support self-advocacy and access to needed/preferred resources
• Coordinate with medical professionals and connect guests with crisis support services as needed
• Enroll guests in benefits using SOAR
• Engage with guest to build a housing service plan and help them set attainable goals
• Assist guests with attaining correct documentation in preparation for permanent housing
• Will help guests navigate the process of applying for and securing permanent housing
• Set up individual files for new guest and ensure documents are secure and HIPPA guidelines followed
• Effectively use systems and tools such as HMIS, to ensure compliance with data standards and record- keeping as required by Urban Alchemy policies, regulatory agencies, and grant requirements
• Document all guest interactions, maintaining accurate notes and reports

Project Specific:

• Provide transportation for guests to get to appointments and make home-visits as needed
• Plan and lead groups and activities for guests based on their needs and interests
• Work flexible hours and/or shifts, weekends, and on-call shifts
• Will support all staff with meeting the needs of guests

General:

• Will treat all Urban Alchemy guests, staff and stakeholders with compassion and respect
• Use emotional intelligence to effectively engage and connect with others
• Adhere to established procedures to provide a safe working environment including complying with OSHA, state, and local regulations as well as Urban Alchemy’s policies
• Attend orientation and any additional training required by Urban Alchemy or our funders
• Must wear an Urban Alchemy uniform and ID badge
• Must carry all required safety and communications equipment
• Follow all Urban Alchemy’s policies and procedures, including all safety guidelines
• Will complete other duties as assigned in service to our guests and stakeholders