Care CoordinatorAt — Fusion Community Empowerment

Job Description: Care Coordinator Intern

Position Title: Care Coordinator Intern

Location: Long Beach, CA (with potential remote work options)

Position Type: Internship (Full-Time or Part-Time)

Reports To: Program Director

Application Deadline: August 31st, 2024

About Us: Our organization is a non-profit dedicated to providing housing and supportive services to families and individuals in underserved communities. We focus on care management services for those reentering society, helping them achieve self-sufficiency and stability. Through personalized support, we empower individuals to overcome barriers and build a brighter future.

Position Overview: We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Care Coordinator Intern who is pursuing a bachelor's degree or has recently graduated with a degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field. This internship offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in care coordination, client support, and case management within a dynamic and supportive environment. The intern will work closely with our experienced Care Coordinators to assist clients in achieving stable housing, employment, and self-sufficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

Client Intake and Assessment:

• Assist with conducting intake interviews and comprehensive assessments to understand client needs, strengths, and challenges.
• Support the development and maintenance of detailed case files and documentation for each client.

Care Plan Development:

• Collaborate with Care Coordinators to create personalized care plans for clients, outlining specific goals and steps needed to achieve them.
• Participate in the review and adjustment of care plans to ensure continued client progress and goal attainment.

Client Interaction and Support:

• Engage in regular check-ins with clients to provide ongoing support, guidance, and encouragement as they work towards self-sufficiency.
• Assist clients in navigating community resources, including housing, employment, healthcare, and legal services.

Crisis Intervention:

• Participate in crisis intervention efforts, learning and applying techniques to de-escalate situations and provide immediate support.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of safety plans for clients in crisis situations.

Case Documentation and Reporting:

• Accurately document all client interactions, assessments, care plans, and progress notes in the organization’s case management system.
• Support the preparation of reports and tracking of client outcomes to ensure compliance with program goals.

Community Resource Coordination:

• Research and compile information on local resources that can benefit clients, such as job training programs, legal aid, and health services.
• Assist in the development of resource guides and referral lists for use by clients and Care Coordinators.

Workshops and Client Education:

• Assist in planning and facilitating educational workshops for clients on topics such as financial literacy, job readiness, and healthy living.
• Evaluate workshop effectiveness and contribute feedback to improve future sessions.

Professional Development:

• Participate in weekly one-on-one mentor meetings to discuss progress, reflect on experiences, and receive guidance.
• Engage in job shadowing with experienced Care Coordinators to observe client interaction, care planning, and case management processes.

Qualifications:

• Education: Currently pursuing or recently completed a bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field.
• Skills:
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and case management software.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Cultural competence and sensitivity to the needs of diverse populations.

Benefits:

• Hands-on experience in care coordination and case management.
• Competitive Salary
• Mentorship from experienced professionals in the field.
• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that impacts underserved communities.
• Potential for academic credit, depending on your institution’s requirements.

Training:

General Employer Orientation (Mandatory):

Initial Onboarding: The internship will begin with a comprehensive orientation session that introduces the intern to the organization's mission, values, and the specific role of the Care Coordinator within the broader context of the organization's services. This will include an overview of organizational policies, procedures, and expectations.
Introduction to Clients and Services: The orientation will also cover the demographics and unique needs of the clients served, with a focus on those reentering society and requiring assistance to achieve self-sufficiency.
Weekly One-on-One Mentor Meetings:

Ongoing Support: The intern will have weekly scheduled meetings with a designated mentor, an experienced Care Coordinator, to discuss progress, reflect on experiences, and receive guidance. These meetings will provide a safe space for the intern to ask questions, share challenges, and receive constructive feedback.
Goal Setting and Review: Each session will include goal setting for the upcoming week, aligned with the learning outcomes, and a review of the previous week’s accomplishments and areas for improvement.
Job Shadowing:

Hands-On Experience: The intern will participate in job shadowing sessions with various Care Coordinators to observe different approaches to client interaction, care planning, and problem-solving. This exposure will help the intern understand the day-to-day responsibilities and decision-making processes in care coordination.
Client Visits and Case Reviews: During shadowing, the intern will have opportunities to accompany Care Coordinators on client visits and participate in case review meetings, gaining practical insights into client management.
Workshops and Skills Training:

Skill Development Sessions: The organization will offer workshops focused on specific skills relevant to care coordination, such as crisis intervention techniques, effective communication strategies, and documentation best practices. These sessions will be interactive, allowing the intern to practice new skills in a supportive environment.
Specialized Training: Additional training may be provided on topics such as cultural competence, trauma-informed care, and navigating community resources, tailored to the intern's specific interests or needs.
Provision of Work Samples and Task Contextualization:

Guided Assignments: The intern will receive work samples, such as case files and care plans, to study and learn from. Mentors will provide an overview and contextualization of these documents, explaining their relevance and the processes involved in creating them.
Task Assignments: As the intern progresses, they will be assigned tasks with increasing responsibility, starting with supervised activities and gradually moving toward more independent work, all while receiving ongoing feedback and support.

Learning Outcomes:
1. Understanding of Care Management Systems
The intern will gain in-depth knowledge of care management principles, including assessment, planning, and coordination of care for individuals in underserved communities.

2. Client Interaction and Communication Skills
The intern will develop strong interpersonal communication skills, learning to interact effectively with clients, service providers, and community partners.
The intern will practice active listening and empathy, critical for building trust and rapport with clients facing complex life challenges.

3.Case Management Documentation
The intern will learn how to accurately document client interactions, progress notes, and care plans in compliance with legal and organizational standards.

4.Crisis Intervention and Problem-Solving
The intern will be trained in crisis intervention techniques, learning how to de-escalate situations and provide immediate support to clients in distress.
The intern will develop problem-solving skills, identifying barriers to client success and collaborating with the team to find viable solutions.

5.Professional Development and Ethics.
The intern will be introduced to the ethical considerations and professional standards in care coordination, including confidentiality, boundaries, and cultural competence.
The intern will engage in self-reflection and supervision sessions to discuss experiences, challenges, and professional growth.