Triage Coordinator

Job Description

The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly the most vulnerable. The BPHC envisions a thriving Boston where all residents live healthy, fulfilling lives free of racism, poverty, violence, and other systems of oppression. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of antiracism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.

The Commission's Homeless Services Bureau, in existence since 1983, has extensive experience providing integrated primary health, substance abuse, and mental health services to homeless individuals. We offer transitional health and social assistance to homeless Bostonians, including emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing throughout the city and a broad range of rehabilitative services. Our programs are part of a continuum of care designed to help homeless individuals achieve independent living in permanent housing in the community. We are one of the largest providers of emergency shelter in New England, running two emergency shelters, which operate 24 hours a day 365 day a year, and providing more than 5,000 homeless individuals annually with food, beds, lockers, emergency clothing, health care, case management, and housing services.

The Front Door Triage team works with individuals who have recently become homeless or are new to the shelter system. The team provides rapid engagement to prevent some individuals from entering the shelter system and to help other individuals quickly regain stability and move out of shelter into appropriate permanent placements.

DUTIES

• Responsible for the overall operation, supervision and development of Front Door Triage and Assessment Department. The department provides assessment, referral and placement services to all NEW homeless guests entering emergency shelter.
• Responsible for recruitment, training, scheduling, and direct supervision of assigned staff.
• Completes triage assessment on all new shelter guests to determine immediate level of need and assertively move guests on a quick path out of shelter by implementing a diversion plan or making a referral to housing department.
• Work in collaboration with the Clinicians of the Social Work Department, to ensure that clients presenting with acute mental health symptoms are assessed for the most appropriate services and/or referral.
• Work in collaboration with APTRSS Bureau for placement into substance abuse treatment if needed.
• Provides crisis intervention and supportive counseling to new shelter guests.
• Develops and maintains referral sources for homeless guests by establishing contacts and working in collaboration with area social services agencies.
• Works closely with internal departments in order to coordinate and facilitate services.
• Maintains up to date and accurate progress notes and records for the department, including HMIS.
• Works in collaboration with BPHC and Pine Street Inn Administration in developing program policies, record keeping and communication systems to ensure a unified Front Door Triage and Assessment model for City of Boston.
• Assists in compiling records and statistical reports.
• Attends assigned meetings and trainings.
• Transports clients via program van.
• Working to help BPHC become an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the BPHC Anti-Racism Policy.
• Other duties as assigned.