Respite Community Assistant

Overview

The Medical Respite program allows individuals who are experiencing homelessness a safe place to rest and recuperative from a medical condition. While participants focus on improving their health, they can also work on addressing other needs like housing and benefits. The Respite Community Assistant is responsible for providing operational support and ensuring the safety, comfort, and well-being of residents within the respite environment. This position includes assisting with the intake process, monitoring residents, maintaining shelter cleanliness, and supporting residents' needs during their stay. The Respite Community Assistant will assist with logistics such as bed assignments, distributing hygiene and comfort items, conduct hourly rounds, and helping resolve interpersonalconflicts. Additionally, they will support shelter operations, including coordinating meals and laundry, assisting with discharge, and maintaining a safe environment for residents and staff. This role requires a compassionate, detailoriented individual who can effectively manage various tasks in a dynamic and supportive shelter setting. The Respite Community Assistant will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team to deliver comprehensive, client centered, and trauma informed integrated services.The posted hours and location for this position will begin after successfully completing the 30-day training period, which will be held at various locations. Training will take place Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Fosters a community of safety, inclusion, and healing aligned with the Standards for Medical Respite Care, Guiding Principles for Medical Respite Care, and The Framework for Medical Respite Care established by the National Institute for Medical Respite Care (a special program of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council).
• Greet and assist residents in a friendly, professional manner, ensuring a welcoming and safe environment upon their arrival.
• Identify available beds for incoming residents, provide them with a welcome packet, hygiene packet, clothes, shower items and other items as identified to ensure comfort during their stay.
• Perform the logistics of settling residents into their rooms, which includes providing a tour of the facility, assisting with unpacking, and ensuring personal items are appropriate for respite community accommodation.
• Educate residents on respite community expectations, policies, and conduct, answering any questions they may have.
• Support the operations of the respite community, ensuring the safety and security of residents, staff, and property by assisting with shelter procedures, including emergency protocols.
• Assist in coordinating meals and laundry services, ensuring that daily rounds are completed to monitor resident needs and well-being.
• Escort residents throughout the respite community and building as needed, ensuring they are informed and comfortable in their environment.
• Regulate the amount of personal belongings that residents bring, ensuring that they fit neatly into their assigned residential room.
• Collect and properly label resident laundry, ensuring it is ready for pickup and properly stored upon return. Assist with meals according to food handling procedures.
• Perform hourly rounds to monitor residents’ physical and emotional well-being, responding to any concerns or incidents in a timely manner.
• Assist with managing interpersonal conflicts and challenges between residents, maintaining a calm and respectful atmosphere.
• Distribute clean laundry to residents upon its return, ensuring items are returned appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Receive clean linens, verify proper storage, and ensure items are kept in an organized manner.
• Monitor common areas, including the computer area, common rooms, and residential rooms, ensuring a safe and respectful environment.
• Assist with packing and preparing residents for discharge, ensuring all personal belongings are gathered and properly returned.
• Support bed turnover procedures, ensuring rooms are cleaned and prepared for the next resident.
• Work in collaboration with the Shelter Community Manager and other team members to ensure smooth daily operations and overall shelter functionality.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Perform other duties as needed to support respite community operations or special projects, as assigned by the Respite Community Supervisor or leadership team.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to interact respectfully and professionally with residents, staff, and community partners. 
• Familiarity with shelter policies, safety protocols, and compliance with regulations like HIPAA. 
• Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with residents and team members. 
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to change. 
• Ability to assess situations quickly and provide solutions, especially in emergencies. 
• Time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and complete tasks efficiently.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent (higher degree accepted)

Preferred Experience:

• 2 years 2 or more years direct service experience in an emergency shelter or homeless services management. Preferred 
• 2 years Previous experience working with vulnerable populations (e.g., homeless, elderly, Individuals experiencing mental health or substance use issues ) is highly preferred

Licenses and Certifications:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association is required. Employees must maintain current BLS certification throughout their employment. Within 30 Days
• Crisis Intervention Certification Within 30 Days
• Food Handling Certification Within 30 Days