Refugee Case Aide for Refugee Medical Screening and Initial Services

Based on the tradition of “welcoming the stranger,” Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services (KJFS) provides supportive services to refugees from all backgrounds to assure their full integration into American society. Refugee resettlement is a humanitarian program designed to assist those who have been persecuted due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group or political opinion. Refugees are people who have been displaced from their home countries and are selected to come to the US through our federal Resettlement Program. Our program works with partners across the community to ensure families have what they need not just to survive but thrive.

Description

The JCA’s HIAS Refugee Resettlement Program seeks an energetic, compassionate, and detail-oriented case aide to support case management services for refugees in their first 90 days in the United States. Due to the nature of initial services, this is a hands-on position, and the Case Aide will have the opportunity to work very closely with case managers and clients. Their time will be split between the Resettlement and Placement (R&P) Case Manager and the Medical Screening (RMS) Coordinator.

The Refugee Case Aide is a one-year full time grant-funded position.

Responsibilities include:

  • Keeping thorough and accurate documentation of services provided in compliance with RMS and R&P contractual requirements
  • Other duties as assigned by the HIAS Resettlement Director
  • Supporting the R&P Case Manager, this includes:
    • Assisting clients at their Social Services appointments, by:
      • Providing transportation when necessary
      • Helping clients check-in to their appointments
      • Advocating alongside the client
    • Ensuring physiological and safety needs of the client are met, by:
      • Helping move furniture and essentials for the clients new home
      • Ensuring clients have essentials at their temporary housing
      • Safety checks and home visits
      • Scheduling Cultural Orientations
    • Picking-up new arrivals with the R&P Case Manager, and coordinating culturally appropriate hot meals after their arrival
  • Supporting the RMS Coordinator, this includes:
    • Assisting clients with their labwork, by:
      • Providing transportation when necessary
      • Helping clients check-in
    • Ensuring clients complete their X-rays for lung damage if tested positive for LtTB
    • In time-sensitive situations, taking clients to Urgent Care to ensure clients will be stable in the time between their arrival and establishing medical care
    • Clearly explaining medications with interpreter use
    • Protecting client’s private health information
    • Discussing “taboo” topics, such as stool, blood, parts of the body, drinking/drug use, in a professional and compassionate tone

 

Requirements:

  • Associate degree required or equivalent professional experience preferred.
  • Experience in direct services with refugee, immigrant, or other multi-cultural populations strongly preferred
  • Enthusiasm, persistence, positive energy, compassion, and patience.
  • Valid driver’s license required
  • Outstanding attention to detail, and excellent organization and time management skills
  • Languages beyond English strongly preferred
  • A strong understanding of the KJFS tradition “welcoming the stranger”, this includes someone who is enthusiastic, persistent, compassionate, patient, and comfortable working in a diverse group setting

 

Hours: This is a full-time, non-exempt grant funded position reporting to the HIAS Refugee Director. The office will be based in Lewiston/Auburn, with travel to several sites in Augusta/Waterville & Southern Maine required. Occasional evening and weekend work required. While renewal is possible, the current grant runs from 10/01/2023 to 09/30/2024.

Preferred Start Date: October 16, 2023

Salary: $23.50 per hour, The JCA offers a competitive benefits package that includes generous programmatic discounts, 11 Federal Holidays and up to 10 Jewish holidays off each year, employer-provided Dental Insurance and Long-and Short-term disability coverage, as well as 90% of individual health insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution after 6 months of work.

To Apply: Email cover letter and résumé, as a PDF or Word document only, to jca@mainejewish.org Please indicate “HIAS Case Aide” in subject line of email.