Discharge Planner

Hyacinth Foundation A New Jersey Newark, New Jersey, United States

About this position

General   Responsibilities 

Hyacinth AIDS   Foundation’s mission is to help people live with HIV, stop the spread of the   epidemic, and serve as a critical voice in the public debate surrounding AIDS   in New Jersey. The following foundational behaviors are expected as an   employee of Hyacinth: 

Service/Client   Services 

Consistently   demonstrates respect, responsiveness, and professionalism towards others   while providing superior service for our clients 

· Treats each client as a priority 

· Respects each client’s right to quality   service, confidentiality, and dignity. 

· Works with co-workers to ensure integration of   services 

· Displays a welcoming, helpful attitude to clients 

· Establishes and maintains personal boundaries in clinical   supervision with clients or co-workers

Community/Teamwork   

Actively cooperates within the region and/or program and participates in the   constructive resolution of conflict. 

· Focuses on improving communication and collaboration 

· Tries to understand the other person’s point of   view when there is a challenge 

· Works with all regional staff to provide a full continuum   of services to clients. 

· Understands local community resources and can make   appropriate referrals. 

· Is clear and tactful when collaborating and working with   others. 

Leadership

Assuming   responsibility for one’s own self in the workplace and exhibiting commitment   to the client and agency. 

· Takes pride in his/her work 

· Advances Hyacinth’s reputation for excellence. 

· Incorporates boundaries and ethical guidelines into   decision making. 

Employees of   the Agency may learn certain facts about individuals being served by the   Agency that are of a highly personal and confidential nature. Examples of   such information are medical conditions, sexual orientation, relations with   family members and other individuals. All such information must be treated   as completely confidential. All staff are required to conform to the Health   Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) guidelines which   require the protection of personal health information.

  

  

Position Summary

 

§ Under the supervision of the Corrections Manager,   performs assigned duties relating to working with offenders in correctional   facilities and in the community. 

 

Major Duties & Responsibilities

 

Approximate Percentage   of Time


Tasks/Duties/Responsibilities

 

40%


Client   Services

· Develop and maintain   relationships with staff in county and community correctional facilities

· Conduct outreach and   social marketing activities in county and community correctional facilities   to increase referrals to programs

· Coordinate and conduct   pre-release discharge planning activities in county and community   correctional facilities

· Conduct needs   assessments with potential clients to determine eligibility and develop   service plans that address issues, based on needs assessment, relating to the   provision of discharge planning, client advocacy, and case management   services, housing, medical care, treatment adherence, mental health, drug   abuse, relapse prevention, and secondary prevention

· Collaborate with   community agencies to ensure clients receive services based on needs   assessment and to ensure appropriate linkages upon release

· Provide follow- up   activities and ensure appropriate linkages including successful connection to   medical, mental health, case management, housing and food

· Conduct case   management activities based on agency policies and procedures

· Conduct individual and   group sessions with clients, pre – and post release

· Coordinate schedules   and paperwork with Discharge planning staff

· Experience working   with offenders and/or substance abusers 

 

30%


Reporting   / Monitoring 

· Establish, maintain, and update client case records using   approved agency forms and procedures

· Ensure confidentiality of all records

· Prepare monthly reports in accordance with agency   policies and procedures

· Maintain and update client information in E-Compass and   CAREWare

 

20%


Hyacinth   Representation / Advocacy

· Attend and participate in staff meetings and supervisory   conferences

· Maintain working relationships with other community   providers

· Observe established administrative procedures

· Provide written reports and maintain statistics as   required

· Represent the agency at community events, meetings, and   conferences

· Adhere to Hyacinth policies and procedures including client   confidentiality provisions

 

10%


Training   and Certifications 

·  Attend and   participate in staff training opportunities

 

100%


Total

  

  

Other   Duties Describe   important tasks or duties, not mentioned above

 

Commitment   to Hyacinth philosophy

Access to currently   registered car and a valid driver’s license a plus

Qualification for   Clearance with the New Jersey Department of Corrections (Required)

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Demonstrates   understanding of objectives, duties, and responsibilities in accordance with   the job description. 

§ Understands job   responsibilities and keeps current on skills and information needed to   meet new challenges 

§ Works with team   leader/manager on areas of job responsibilities that are unclear.

Delivers   quality results and balances priorities to meet all project and team   commitments in a timely manner.

§ Serves as a steward of   the public’s trust and money. 

§ Takes responsibility   for timely decisions and actions. 

§ Routinely checks for   accuracy in his/her own work. 

§ Evaluates how well an   event or program was completed (i.e. attendance and target audience   specifications, asks clients to rate effectiveness, asks people what was good   and what can be better next time). 

Disseminates   relevant information about decisions, plans and activities to team leaders   and supervisors

§ Informs team leaders   and/or managers about decisions that affect work. 

§ Recognizes problems   and complaints and escalates to team leaders and/or managers when   necessary. 


Requirements

Required   Qualifications Consider   and identify qualifications potential applicants must possess in order   to be considered for the position. Basic Qualifications must be clearly   stated, objective and relevant to this position.

 

Required Minimum Education: None    Other:   None

Required Years of Related Experience: 2-4 years

· A minimum of two years’ experience in the field of HIV /   AIDS

 

Required   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

(Include any required   computer skills, certifications, licenses, languages, etc.)

· Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse   backgrounds and interests.

· Proficiency in written and verbal communications

· Experience working   with offenders and/or substance abusers 

· Ability to obtain   clearance for county and community correctional facilities

 

People Management   Experience

Indicate   whether supervisor/people management experience is required.

· Not applicable


Required Years of People Management   Experience:

· Not   applicable

 

Preferred   Qualifications

Consider   and identify qualifications that are not required to perform the job but   would be extremely helpful to performing the job.

 

Preferred Minimum Education:

§ Associates degree and   experience working in the HIV/AIDS field. A candidate who has no degree but seems exceptionally suitable will be   considered if he/she can demonstrate additional years of relevant experience   in exchange for the educational requirement.

Other: 

§ Preference may be given to candidates whose background is   similar to the target population, or individuals with other experience or   direct knowledge of HIV

§ Proficiency in written and verbal communications

§ Must be able to gain   DOC clearances

 

Preferred Area of expertise: 

§ Experience working with offenders and/or substance   abusers

§ Community relation

 

Preferred Related Industry Experience:   

· Experience working   with people living with HIV

 

Preferred   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

(Include any preferred   computer skills, certifications, licenses, languages, etc.)

• HIV treatment education