Case Manager (Español), Ribbon Community – Vancouver (open until filled)

Job Posting – Internal & External Applicants Welcome
Posting Date: July 24, 2024; posting close date extended August 13, 2024
Posting Closes: open until filled

Case Manager (Español) Temporary position to March 31, 2025; starting as soon as possible

Reporting to: Director of Individual Client Services (Glyn Townson)
Clinical supervision by Laura Imayoshi, Director of Programs

Union: HSA AIDS Vancouver Chapter – #849, Health Sciences Professionals
Grid Level: 12
Benchmark: Social Worker I – Bachelor’s

Pay: $42.27-52.81/hour; rates exclusively for health sciences professionals registered with the BC College of Social Workers1

Location: In-person position based at Ribbon Community
Various locations, including outreach and office-based work
Hours: 32 hours/week
Schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday – Thursday

This is a temporary position at Ribbon to provide case management services to people who
are living with HIV and/or HIV-negative people with an interest in HIV prevention. This
position will provide services to newcomers, primarily from Latin America, in Spanish.
Ribbon Community operates in English, with team meetings, supervision, and case management tools available solely in English.

Position Summary:
Within the context of Ribbon Community’s values and purpose, the Case Manager supports and empowers people who are living with HIV or are HIV-negative through one on one case management services as part of a social work-led team. The Case Manager will work in close collaboration with colleagues other HIV service providers and STBBI/HIV prevention clinicians, teams, and programs. The Case Manager will provide services by phone, in-person, and on occasion, virtually, through appointments, drop-in, and outreach. The Case Manager will work towards clients’ goals, offering assistance navigating regional, provincial, and federal supports (e.g. Old Age Security Pension, disability assistance) care coordination, and referrals to maximize health and wellness, including mental, cultural, sexual, and social wellness, and clinical outcomes related to HIV.
The Case Manager works with people and their families of all identities who are living with HIV and/or HIV-negative people navigating sex, substance use, and HIV prevention.

Duties:
In accordance with their discipline, and Ribbon’s purpose, values, strategic plan, policies, and standards of practice, Case Manager’s duties include:
1. Consulting with the supervisor and/or management on client and program issues and directions
2. Active listening to understand clients’ strengths and needs
3. Providing services on a drop-in and appointments basis, in-person and via phone and on occasion, virtually
4. Assessing clients through a standardized process to address health status, financial issues, legal issues, housing status, transportation, social support, food security, mental health, and substance use, and if applicable, HIV-specific needs related to care and/or prevention
5. Prioritizing client needs within the context of practice tools such as acuity scales
6. Developing, revising, and implementing client-led plans and goals
7. Working with clients to work towards their goals through strategies including:
• Connection to Peer Navigators, Friends of May and other internal and external relevant social supports
• Accurate, up-to-date, stigma-free information within scope of practice
• Navigation of health and social systems including advocacy on behalf of clients to address barriers
• Strong knowledge of eligibility criteria, application processes and appeals procedures for government and community programs/services
• Referring clients to other teams, resources and supports when required
• Proactively connecting clients to government benefits and/or other programs (e.g. First Nations Health Benefits, GIS, MSP)
• Providing appropriate referrals, including peer support, transition and discharge planning
• Support attendance at relevant appointments, including supporting transportation planning, reminders, and on occasion, accompaniment
8. Networking and collaborating with coworkers and other service providers to ensure clients have full access to required services
9. Maintaining current knowledge of HIV including GIPA/MEPA (Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/Meaningful Engagement of People Living with HIV) harm reduction, prevention, antiretrovirals, resources, services, and population-specific approaches
10. Keeping appropriate documentation and up-to-date charts that document client interactions and services as required for continuity of client care, case files, and program management
11. Enacting GIPA/MEPA, sex-positive, harm reduction, and anti-oppressive approaches in working with clients
12. Participating in special projects to strengthen and develop the case management program as assigned;
13. Collecting and completing program reporting data and indicators as required, including compiling quantitative and qualitative statistics related to client and/or program services;
14. As directed by the leadership team, participating on internal and external committees relevant to program services;
15. Participating in training and professional development
16. Attending case conferences, supervision meetings, and all staff meetings called by the Executive Director and/or their designate when scheduled during regular working hours
17. Complying with policies and procedures of the Society
18. Performing other related duties as required
Qualifications
Education and Experience
• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work
• Preference for candidates who are registered with the BC College of Social Workers; candidates who are not registered will be paid at the QNR rate1
• Degrees in Allied Health disciplines (e.g. clinical psychology, psychiatric nursing) may be considered
• Training related to cultural safety and competency specific to communities most impacted by HIV (including people living with HIV, Indigenous people, queer and trans communities, sex work, people who use currently illicit drugs)
• Experience with HIV-specific support in a community or clinical setting
• Two years’ experience in support work and/or case management
• Direct experience working with populations most impacted by HIV due to structural inequities, including 2S/LGBTQ+ people, newcomers, people who use substances, and Afro-Canadian and Black people
• Direct experience working in an outreach capacity in an urban setting

Skills and Abilities:
• Capability to navigate government systems and community resources
• Strong literacy with computers, software, and mobile devices
o Smart phone (provided by Ribbon)
o Microsoft 365 environment
o Experience with case management software, e.g. Penelope, is an asset
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English (verbal and written)
o Additional languages considered an asset
• Capability to analyze and resolve problems, including seeking appropriate guidance
• Leadership skills
• Capability to work independently and in cooperation with others
• Capability to plan, organize, and prioritize
• Capability to work in a high demand work environment
• Capability to establish and maintain rapport
• Cultural responsiveness and humility in working with communities most impacted by HIV
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, STIs, and related social, political, and care issues and their impact on the community
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position: outreach duties via public transit, computer/office work
To Apply:
People who are part of the communities we support and empower – people living with HIV and their families, as well as people who navigate HIV stigma – are encouraged to apply.
Please submit a cover letter and resume by email to hiring@RibbonCommunity.org
Interviews:
Applicants will be interviewed in English on a rolling basis by a panel including people living with HIV. Candidates will have the opportunity to review question in advance of the interview. Please let us know about any access needs you would like us to know about and support through this hiring process.
The successful candidate will receive a temporary appointment to March 31, 2025, with the possibility of extension.