Participant Advocate

Position Summary:

The Participant Advocate provides our participants with supportive assistance to maintain a safe, welcoming, clean environment. Past Participant Advocate experience is strongly desired. Two years experience working in human services, preferably in a residential facility with individuals who may have challenges in the following areas: homeless, substance abuse, and mental health or an acceptable combination of equivalent skills and experience.

SHIFT: 7a -3p, 3p-11p, & 11p-7a.

STATUS: On-Call and Full-Time - (Non-Exempt).

REPORTS TO: Participant Advocate Supervisor, Assistant Program Director, and Program Director.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the supervision of the participants in the following areas: conduct, personal hygiene, chores, and compliance with the facility Rules and Regulations.
• Responsible for facility checks before assuming responsibility and noting deficiencies during the shift.
• Responsible for complying with the privacy standards for collecting, maintaining, and using participant-protected personal information.
• Responsible for providing a brief orientation to the participants on site.
• Responsible for monitoring participant activities including but not limited to body search with metal detector upon entrance to the facility, searches of participants sleeping quarters and storage locker/bags, and containers.
• Responsible for keeping an accurate participant census.
• Responsible for promptly completing a quality written shift, incident, and weekly reports, as well as intakes, MISILs, medication logs, and other pertinent paperwork.
• Responsible for supervising participant evening sign-in log (the OSH MISIL form).
• Responsible for the supervision of dispensing participants’ prescribed medications.
• Responsible for the collection and distribution of clean bed linen, towels, clothes when necessary, and toiletries as dictated by need and availability.
• Responsible for monitoring program participants.
• Responsible for checking and securing fire doors and escape exits, touring the building and securing every 30-60 minutes during the shift, and documenting as required.
• Responsible for maintaining order and cleanliness inside and outside the facility.
• Responsible to beware of and conveying participant communications to Assistant Program Director or Program Manager so that preventive measures can be taken to maintain the health, safety, and security of the participants, staff, and facility.
• Responsible for sharing observations and recommendations regarding the facility, participants, and staff relations to identify and solve problems and to ensure staff functions as a unified team.
• Responsible for informing the Assistant Program Director or Program Director of unusual incidents and completing appropriate documentation.
• Responsible for performing other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management.

Education and Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent with adequate training and experience in human services, including but not limited to homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health.
• Previous computer experience, including Microsoft applications and the internet.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Must participate in all mandatory team meetings, department meetings, and training as required.
• Must have some flexibility with emergency requests, changes in work schedules, or assignments.
• Must be well organized, detail-oriented, task-driven, and able to work independently and set daily priorities by maintaining a weekly and monthly schedule.
• Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills and a willingness to assist whenever needed.
• Must be able to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend and lift supplies that weigh between 25-50 lbs.
• Must be able to observe, hear, understand, and interpret participant behavior.
• Must be able to provide constructive feedback to shift leader or designee to improve services within the facility.