COMPLEX CARE COORDINATOR

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). DHS’s mission statement is to prevent homelessness, when possible, address street homelessness, provide safe temporary shelter, and connect New Yorkers experiencing homelessness to suitable housing. The New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Cash, Food and Rental Assistance as well as Medicaid.

The DSS Medical and Health Services Office aims to improve the health and well-being of individuals who are experiencing homelessness and living in NYC and of those receiving HRA benefits, increase their chances of succeeding in permanent housing and independent living, and decrease morbidity and mortality; and improve food safety, compliance with NYC Food Standards and the overall nutritional status and nutrition knowledge.

The Health Services Office is recruiting for two (2) City Research Scientist level 1, to function as Complex Care Coordinators, who will:

- Assist in the development and implementation of public health research studies, surveys, data collection tools and databased related to locally focused street-based clusters of clients with behavioral health issues. Using these data and rigorous scientific methods as directed, such as bi- and multivariate analysis, propensity score matching, regression analysis, assist in creating algorithms to identify DHS clients in need of behavioral health services, including assessment and linkage to substance use services.

- Assist with and conduct qualitative and quantitative public health research projects related to substance use and mental health issues and services to obtain scientific and public health knowledge for optimizing substance use and mental health services to people clustering on the streets, using rigorous reach methods and software such as Statistical Analysis System, Dedoose, NVivo, Qualix or SurveyMonkey, to develop and target interventions for children in shelter as defined below. As needed, and under guidance, perform or assist in performing geo-spatial analysis of street drug use indicators among DHS clients to target direct interventions and training.

- Based on data generated above, identify clients and sites for the streets-based substance use and mental illness focused interventions including linkage to care, tracking and maintaining the care coordination system, implement and monitor care plans, collaborate with staff to address the care of identified individuals with behavioral health needs, support clients in attending substance use and/or mental health appointments, engage with care teams during inpatient stays, assist in developing and implementing interventions to assist DHS clients with substance use and mental health issues who tend to use on the streets.

- Utilize a patient-centered approach to develop, implement, update, and monitor client centered care plans, using evidence-based, trauma-informed, person-centered methods to ensure the delivery of high-quality health care and other services aligned with harm reduction principles.

- Participate in City and State local coalitions and collaborate with health, mental health, and social service agencies, as well as hospitals, corrections facilities, and community-based organizations to gather relevant client information and to schedule case conferences with relevant stakeholders when needed.

Hours/Shift:
Schedule needs to be flexible; some staff need to be able to work at least some days as early as 7am-7:30am while others would start later and end later

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744