Peer Services Advocate - Homeless Center (bilingual)

The Mission Neighborhood Health Center (MNHC) is a non-profit, multi-site community health organization offering comprehensive health services in the Mission and Excelsior Districts of San Francisco.  The center offers primary health care services, adult medicine, pediatrics, family planning, OB/GYN, HIV and homeless services. 

We advocate for health equity and deliver innovative, high-quality services responsive to the neighborhoods and diverse communities we serve with a focus on the Latino Spanish-Speaking Communities.

We are currently looking for qualified candidates for our Peer Services Advocate role. Please note: this role requires an applicant to be bilingual (English/Spanish). This position reports to the Drop-In Services Manager and is a Full-Time, Non-Exempt role with a hourly range of $21.94 to $23.58. 

Primary Objective:

Under the supervision of the Drop-In Services Manager and in conjunction with the integrated services team, the Peer Service Advocate will guide and monitor participants' use of the Resource Center's facilities while providing peer counseling and support to motivate clients to engage in services, reduce harm, and improve their physical, social, emotional and economic health. The Peer Service Advocate provide support to homeless individuals, SRO hotel tenants, sex workers, active drug users, and/or very low-income immigrants/day laborers.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

1. Provide direct and indirect peer counseling and support by motivating and assisting clients to collaborate with case managers to obtain access to health and social services.
2. Assist staff and clients in identifying community resources to support the recovery and stability of clients. Provides service coordination and follow-up to enable clients to participate at their highest level of independence within the community or within shelter and/or permanent housing placement.
3. Peer Service Advocates will provide individual contact with patients to identify and develop client directed treatment plan goals and monitor ongoing achievement of goals.
4. Provides information on community resources such as food services, shelters, health services and mental health services as needed.
5. Works collaboratively with primary care and case management staff in implementing service plans.
6. Supports the mission and vision of the Resource Center; follows all clinic policies and procedures; attends individual and group supervision meetings and supports all Resource Center activities.
7. Creates a hospitable environment and provide services to clients with the utmost dignity and respect.
8. Maintains a safe and clean environment at the Resource Center.
9. Ability to advocate for clients by bringing concerns about services to providers' attention.
10. Ability to help clients identify risk reduction strategies (safer sex, drug treatment, needle exchange, etc.).
11. Supports patients in navigating the clinic system and community resources.
12. Maintains communication and documentation around client progress and areas of concern.
13. Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and Saturday.
14. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

1. Must have knowledge of de-escalation techniques, conflict resolution and emergency response.
2. Knowledge of harm reduction techniques preferred.
3. Bilingual Spanish/English required.
4. Experience using computers required.
5. Must be flexible to address individual client needs.
6. Must have professional and ethical working experience in a multi-cultural team setting.
7. Must have the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
8. Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and Saturday.
9. As a condition of employment, all candidates are required to provide documentation of current immunizations, including COVID-19 and TB test results valid within the last two (2) years must be submitted before the start date. Failure to provide this documentation may result in a delayed start or withdrawal of the job offer.

To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at www.mnhc.org. We offer a full range of benefits which includes the following:

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance – MNHC pays 90-100% based on plan
• Dental and Vision Insurance – free to employee
• Life Insurance – free basic policy plus voluntary option
• Flexible Spending Accounts for health & dependent care expenses
• Commuter benefits for public transportation expenses
• Vacation – 2 weeks (3 weeks after 5 yrs; 4 weeks after 8 yrs)
• 12 Paid Holidays plus your birthday and 12 Sick Days each year
• 40 hours Paid Educational Leave
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Company Contribution

Mission Neighborhood Health Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for our diverse workforce. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.