Health Care Specialist - Low Barrier Shelter

Health Care Specialist-Low Barrier Shelter

Join our mission to provide a comprehensive continuum of care for people in Louisiana, encompassing primary care, behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment. Help save lives at OHL!

Job Summary

Odyssey House Louisiana, Inc. is seeking a full-time Health Care Specialist. Health Care Specialist in the first responder for medical emergencies and works with guests and staff in the Low Barrier Shelter (LBS). The Health Care Specialist assesses, orients, facilitates, and support health care services to shelter guests. All guests are primarily responsible for their medical care and management to include medication administration, supply and storage of that medication. 

Responsibilities and Duties

It is the duty and responsibility of the Health Care Specialist to:

• administer vital signs to admitted guests for continued appropriateness for shelter stay

• provide basic life support

• schedule newly admitted guests to OHL’s FQHC or health care facility of choice (when necessary)

• Refer non-medically appropriate guests to alternative shelter and/or care

• provide on-going health education to guests, when necessary, as outlined in the LBS manual

• provide on-going assessment of acute medical needs

• respond to guest medical emergencies in a timely manner

• communicate with medical professionals to rely pertinent medical information

• work with case management to coordinate care for guests

• refers guests to appropriate substance abuse treatment facility

• provide on-going prescribed medication support consumption and treatments that include education on medication and/or treatment regimens

• coordinate the management of guest’s medication stock including pharmacy pick-up and drop-off, calling in refills for with guests, and ensuring medication is securely stored

• enter pertinent health related information into HMIS

• coordinate services with OHL’s iPrevent Prevention Department

• ensures a safe environment for all guests by conducting interior and exterior rounds

• complete Incident Report when needed

• complete rounds inside and outside the facility every 30 minutes

• assist with other shelter functions as requested Program Manager and/or Shelter Supervisor

• maintain HIPAA guidelines; and

• perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Skills

Required:

Minimum qualifications include the following:

• EMT-P Certification 

• Healthcare CPR/BLS

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Software

• Bilingual (Spanish) a plus

• Must be able to work independently with limited supervision 

• Must be able to handle a large caseload of medication management for guests

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive Compensation and Benefits package include insurance (health, dental, vision, life, long-term and short-term disability), leave benefits and 401k match.

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