Residential Clinical Support Specialist

Residential Clinical Support Specialist (CSS)

Department/Care Stream: Substance Use Disorder Residential

LIA Reporting Structure

Timecard Approver: Center Manager

Primary: Operational Director, Substance Use Disorder Residential

Secondary: Clinical Director, Substance Use Disorder Residential

Location: Alternative House

Status: Full-Time

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Pay Range: $23.00 - $26.75/hr

EEO-1: Service Worker

Organization Information

WellSpace's mission is "achieving regional health through high-quality comprehensive care." We believe that everyone deserves to be seen, no matter who you are, where you come from, where you work or what place you call home. At WellSpace, we see you!

We are driven to serve the whole person through comprehensive, integrated care, spanning medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services across the region. We do this by building a team of exceptional colleagues who are dedicated to our mission and becoming part of the communities we serve.

As the region's largest Community Health System, WellSpace utilizes a Confluence Model to integrate an internal network of healthcare modalities, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC), Drug Medi-Cal and Specialty Mental Health programs, California's second largest 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Center, an independent Risk Bearing Organization (WellSpace Nexus), and more into a seamless confluence of care.

To ensure the highest quality of care, WellSpace is accredited by the Joint Commission for Ambulatory Care, Behavioral Health and as a CCBHC. Further, it is certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Care Medical Home and a Behavioral Health Home. WellSpace's crisis programs are accredited by the American Association of Suicidology and the International Council for Helplines.

Position Summary

The Residential Clinical Support Specialist (CSS) monitors patients in a residential substance use disorder facility. This role performs vital signs checks, observes patients, monitors patient self-medication under program protocol, and reports changes to nursing staff. The CSS also supports patients by coordinating medical appointments, medication refills, and medical supplies as needed, and by coordinating care across multidisciplinary teams.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.

• Medical Assistant or CNA training/certification preferred, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
• Minimum of 1 year of patient care experience, preferably in a behavioral health environment and SUD settings, or equivalent life experience or experience in customer service and care.
• Current First Aid and BLS certification required, or ability to obtain certification within 90 days of hire.
• Ability to document and maintain detailed records.
• Proficiency in basic Outlook, Word, and Excel computer skills as well as EHR systems. Epic experience preferred.
• Experience working with diverse populations including: Individuals experiencing substance use and intoxication, people living with homelessness or housing instability, individuals impacted by the criminal legal system, and people experiencing mental health challenges.
• Knowledge of community resources, including Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the county’s General Assistance Program.
• Familiarity with harm reduction, restorative and recovery-oriented practices, and trauma-informed care.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing services for the underserved and sensitivity to working with individuals from low-income populations, diverse educational, lifestyle, ethnic, and cultural origins, as well as those who are disabled, homeless, substance users, HIV (AIDS) infected, and/or physiologically impaired.
• Commitment to HIPAA regulations and the ability to abide by standards of professional ethics and maintain confidentiality.
• Assist and support the Center/Department/Program in meeting High Reliability standards.
• Must be willing to successfully complete the credentialing process.

Essential Responsibilities

• Perform vital signs checks and patient monitoring per protocols, and report observations to a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and attending physician.
• Perform withdrawal-related screenings, document results in the EHR, and follow escalation protocols as required.
• Communicate changes in patient condition to supervising staff or physician promptly.
• Relay patient vitals, symptoms, progress, and risks to emergency services and multidisciplinary care teams as well as ensure accurate documentation is completed in the EHR.
• Observe participant behavior and condition, completing required observation logs, rounds, and milieu documentation accurately and in accordance with DHCS regulations.
• Encourage patient well-being through health promotion initiatives.
• Refer patients to primary healthcare teams and behavioral health services as appropriate.
• Assist patients with admission, transfer, and discharge procedures, and adhere to against-medical-advice (AMA) discharge procedures.
• Assist with self-administration of medication per policy, observe and document patient medication adherence, and document related changes in the EHR.
• Perform weekly medication inventory audits.
• Verify the integrity of all medication deliveries and accurately document inventory and schedules in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
• Observe and document medication intake, reconciling medications under LVN supervision.
• Conduct admission intake for patients, including preparing rooms and beds, coordinating meals, inventorying patient belongings, and performing initial assessments.
• Review and document patient observations, medication logs, and progress notes.
• Maintain light housekeeping duties, such as post-meal cleanup and laundry, as needed, while adhering to internal controls and procedures.
• Monitor patient bed count and ensure facility safety.
• Provide 24/7 support and monitoring for patients experiencing homelessness and co-occurring disorders (mental health, chronic medical conditions, substance use disorders) in a higher-acuity care facility.
• Work occasional overtime to cover day, evening, or night shifts as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

The successful candidate will receive a regionally competitive salary; above-average health benefits at reduced costs; company-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance; and an additional voluntary retirement plan with company match and no vesting schedule requirement.

• Paid bereavement and jury duty leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Paid time off
• Paid sick leave
• Flexible Spending Program
• Company paid malpractice insurance for all providers
• Professional development hours offered annually

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The work environment is characteristic of a medical clinic. The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and use hands and arms to reach. The employee is also required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must also possess hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person and over the phone. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances, or unable to attend to personal health and safety needs in their living environments. The employee may experience unpleasant sensory demands associated with alcohol or drug use and limited personal care. The employee may also be exposed to bodily fluids, including blood and urine, and hazardous chemicals.

WellSpace Health is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. It is the intent of WellSpace Health to maintain a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. WellSpace Health is dedicated to fulfilling this policy in all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WellSpace Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer