Street Medicine Case Manager - The Night Ministry
Chicago, IL
About the Job
The Night Ministry is a Chicago based organization whose mission is to provide human connection, housing support, and health care to members of our community who are unhoused or experiencing poverty. We've successfully provided these lifesaving services for 45 plus years, everyday providing a lifeline to our most vulnerable neighbors. We serve everyone without concern for race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. With an open heart, we compassionately accept each individual as they are and work alongside them to advocate for their immediate physical, emotional, and social needs while affirming our shared humanity.
As a member of The Night Ministry team, you can look forward to engaging and compelling work, building dynamic professional relationships with staff, volunteers, and our broad base of supporters. While also knowing you are making a meaningful impact on those who we serve. Employees of The Night Ministry come from a wide variety of backgrounds, representing different ethnicities, educational levels, skills, religious affiliations, spiritual traditions, and sexual orientations. Their commonality is their dedication to improving the lives of those who are homeless, at-risk for homelessness, or otherwise under-served. Although not all employees are involved in direct services, everyone is dedicated to the mission of The Night Ministry, believes in its core values, and knows that their work is highly valued.
Position Summary:
In this role, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining quality referral relationships with social service agencies while providing case management and follow-up services to individuals referred by the Outreach and Health Ministry (OHM) team. You will work with program participants, many of whom are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, as well as those who are medically vulnerable, to help them achieve housing and health stability. Your primary duties include assisting participants through day-time follow-up on referrals made by Outreach staff, using motivational interviewing and harm reduction strategies to engage individuals in available services. You will build relationships with community resources, ensuring that the needs of participants, such as housing, health, mental health, and addiction services, are met. This position requires accurate and timely data entry into various systems, including Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS).
You will also accompany Outreach staff on Street Medicine Outreach and other outreach sites, including van-based and on-foot outreach efforts in selected areas, with shifts that may vary between days, evenings, and weekends. The role involves maintaining case files, ensuring compliance with government and agency standards, and providing supportive relationships to both long-term and short-term volunteers. You will work closely with other staff members and volunteers to provide a high-quality volunteer experience and drive the Outreach Van as needed. You must be competent in trauma, LGBTQQIA, and street culture, and able to work with diverse populations. Additionally, you will participate in agency and inter-agency meetings, assist in representing the program, and contribute to public relations and fundraising activities as required. Other duties may be assigned as necessary.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in outreach with individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Detail-oriented self-starter with strong interpersonal skills and professional boundaries.
- Valid driver's license, good driving record, and reliable personal transportation; willingness to travel locally.
- Ability to stay calm in emergencies and respond safely according to Night Ministry policies.
- Comfortable working nonjudgmentally with diverse populations, including those of various faith traditions, ethnic/racial communities, sex workers, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Capable of developing and implementing new outreach methods.
- Physically able to walk/stand outdoors for up to six consecutive hours in all seasons.
- Familiarity with referral sources.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Additional Information:
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is regularly required to talk or listen. The employee must occasionally drive an automobile and the outreach bus; and lift and/or move 20 pounds.
Benefits: Full-time staff are entitled to full benefits after 30 days of employment, including medical, dental, vision, 401k, and more, starting 30 days after their employment commences.
If you are passionate about making a difference in your community, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity!