JOB SUMMARY

The Community Outreach Specialists will identify and develop potential new targeted patients or groups. This relationship will enable the COS to serve as a liaison for integrating primary health and behavioral health in the clinic by performing and coordinating assessments, referrals, and education throughout the community

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

• Identify heavy service users and "service resistant" individuals.
• Intervene with individuals who are frequent users of emergency services for non-emergencies and connect them with more appropriate services and serve as a more appropriate resource for seeking assistance.
• Monitor and prevent acute symptoms of mental illness and/or substance abuse in the community. Provide de-escalation and limit setting around behaviors witnessed in the community.
• Consultation and coordination with other service providers around treatment plans, obtaining services, negotiating for services that have been restricted. Ongoing consultation with law enforcement to address and prevent problematic behaviors from occurring in public and private spaces.
• Deliver supports to help individuals reach and sustain stability in the community. Provide basic mental health, medical, legal, and financial supports, referrals and other information.
• Provide support and education to law enforcement.
• Establish face-to-face connections and communication strategies with local merchants.
• Education of community members around psychiatric disabilities, homelessness, substance abuse, and various other mental health issues.
• Assist in post-tragedy response including sudden death notification.
• Outcome data reporting.
• Work proactively to reach out to families in crisis.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in social work or public health
• Bachelor’s in social work psychology or related field
• Basic knowledge of community based behavioral health practices and procedures.
• 2 years’ experience in one or more of the following fields: substance abuse, mental health, crisis, victim advocacy or social work or a related field

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Computer literacy
• Ability to travel.
• Strong communication skills
• Strong management skills

RELATIONSHIP REPORTING

• Reports to Outreach and enrollment specialist

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Sitting, standing, bending, reaching, stretching, stooping, walking, climbing stairs and moving intermittently during working hours.
• Moderate travel is required weekly.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must be able to properly operate office equipment.

Must be able to maintain verbal and written communication with co-workers, leadership team, supervisors, clients, family members, vendors and all business associates within or outside the agency.