The Lynn Community Health Center Program Coordinator - HOPWA will join our team of nurses, community health workers, and providers, where they will play a critical role in connecting individuals and families experiencing housing instability with safe, sustainable housing solutions. This Program Coordinator role will support patients of Lynn Community Health Center along with all eligible residents across Essex County.
The Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program is the only Federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. Under the HOPWA Program, HUD makes grants to local communities, States, and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
This position works collaboratively with health care providers and community partners to ensure clients receive comprehensive support that addresses both housing and health needs. This position will sit in our Deborah Smith Walsh Recuperative Care department and work directly with the Medical Outreach Team providing culturally competent guidance to help clients navigate complex social service systems.
The Program Coordinator - HOPWA will oversee the program’s operational and administrative operations, advocate for clients’ needs, promote housing stability and strengthen community partnerships to improve access to resources.
This role will provide coordination and management of the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) grant to eliminate barriers to quality, equitable housing for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) clients; oversees housing related services and activities aimed at promoting housing stability and achieving permanent housing for HOPWA clients and ensures services and activities are in compliance with all applicable U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines.
This position is grant-funded.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- The essential duties of this position present risk of exposure to airborne infection, body fluids, and blood-borne pathogen. Annual BBP Training is required.
- Up to date immunization and annual TB testing is required. Annual flu vaccination is required. Hepatitis B vaccine is strongly recommended. All necessary vaccines are available at no charge at the health center. A Declination form must be signed if the Hepatitis B or other recommended vaccines are declined.
- Results of inquiry to Criminal Offender Record Investigation (CORI) must be acceptable under health center standards.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 2 years progressive responsibility
- Medical Terminology required
- History of good attendance and positive work attitude
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, ability to positively influence others with respect and compassion
- Fluency in a non-English language
- Strong work ethic built on a foundation of proactivity and teamwork
- Ability to navigate ambiguity with the aid of structured problem-solving techniques
- Committed to the practice of inquiry and listening
- We are looking for team members who possess high energy, a strong work ethic, integrity, who are kind and empathetic, have a sense of humor, and who enjoy working for a collaborative, team oriented system
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Housing Program Coordinator will work closely with members of the RCC teams and Medical Outreach team to support the smooth operation of housing assistance referrals and coordination for eligible patients in need. The Housing Program Coordinator will assist with compliance and reporting for the MDPH grant funding this position and will adhere to the requirements of that grant. Specific duties may include:
- Provides coordination and management of the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) grant to eliminate barriers to quality, equitable housing for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) clients; oversees housing related services and activities aimed at promoting housing stability and achieving permanent housing for HOPWA clients and ensures services and activities are in compliance with all applicable U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines.
- Answers questions, provides information and responds to all HOPWA inquiries to communicate available program resources and services from non-profit and for-profit agencies; maintains effective communications channels with relevant stakeholders including clients, partner agencies and other governmental agencies to ensure seamless delivery of housing services.
- Leads the implementation of HOPWA housing initiatives, to include short-term financial assistance, long-term rental assistance, and supportive activities to ensure housing activities are executed effectively and efficiently in compliance with HUD and HOPWA guidelines.
- Administers and oversees the day-to-day operations of the HOPWA housing program, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and organizational policies; works closely with the HOPWA Case Coordinator and other City staff to identify and meet the housing needs of HOPWA clients consistently and efficiently.
- Conduct in-person and telephonic screening and assessments of patients experiencing housing crisis, to determine appropriate action including referrals.
- Process applications for rental assistance for eligible patients.
- Collaborate with other providers, staff and community resources to enhance coordination, quality and efficiency in care.
- Provide culturally competent support, individual and group education, guidance, mentoring, and coaching regarding housing assistance and patient eligibility for services.
- Assist patients with effectively navigating health care and social service systems, including arranging for transportation and accompanying patients to appointments as requested by care team.
- Show initiative in working creatively with patients to address their identified needs and help them move towards successful resolution of challenges.
- Provide culturally competent care coordination and support services for eligible patients depending on individual needs and preferences. These include but are not limited to:
- link patients with resources and empower them to use them to their advantage
- advocate for individual and community health needs for the patient
- direct practical assistance, i.e. filling out forms, making appointments as appropriate
- coordinating interpreter services
- Network/collaborate with community leaders, area health providers, voluntary organizations and others who can contribute to ongoing assessment of the health needs of the target population.
- Manage and oversee the day-to-day operation and overall flow of the program.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- 2 years progressive responsibility
- Medical Terminology
- Fluency in a non-English language
What We Do
Lynn Community Health Center is the largest provider of primary care, behavioral health, eye care, and dental services in one of the most medically underserved communities in Massachusetts. Established in 1971 as a small storefront mental health clinic, we now have more than 550 employees at multiple sites throughout the City of Lynn. We serve more than 46,000 individuals annually—40% of all Lynn residents and children under 18. Our mission is to provide comprehensive health care for everyone in our diverse community, regardless of ability to pay. Our target populations are those with the greatest barriers to care: the poor, minorities, non-English speaking, children, teens and the frail elderly. A significant percentage of our patients have behavioral health needs. To best achieve our mission, we have developed an innovative model of Integrated Care in which primary care and behavioral health providers practice together as a team, co-managing patient care. This has significantly improved access and reduced stigma for those in need of behavioral health care. Our teams are distinguished by a fierce dedication to empowering disenfranchised communities. It is an incredible learning environment for every employee, in which there exist opportunities for both providing and receiving mentoring and coaching, participating in innovative pilot projects, and the satisfaction of a job well done.
