Forensic Harm Reduction Specialist - Residential Services

The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community-based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization.

Scope of Position: Under the supervision of the Program Director the Forensic Harm Reduction Specialist will be responsible for providing supportive services to formerly homeless adults diagnosed with serious mental illness, some of which have a forensic background with co-occurring substance use disorders. The Forensic Harm Reduction Specialist will assist in identifying client strengths, needs, abilities, and goals and create related service plans in an electronic client records system (AWARDS). The Forensic Harm Reduction Specialist will hold individual meetings, as well as facilitate groups, while completing timely documentation in accordance with agency policy. The Forensic Harm Reduction Specialist will work as a support for clients navigating the criminal justice system, providing linkages to the community and connections to resources.

Essential Position Functions

• Provide case management services, including benefits assistance, assistance with completing housing applications, referrals to primary and behavioral health care providers in the community, and housing referrals for formerly homeless adults diagnosed with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders.
• Provide these services primarily in clients' apartments and community settings.
• Assist clients in navigating the criminal justice system, including working with parole officers, attorneys, and legal aid providers. Provide escorts to court and other mandated appointments, as requested.
• Assist with medication observation and education in accordance with OMH regulations.
• Assist in identifying clients' strengths, needs, abilities, and goals, and develop corresponding Service Plans in the electronic client records system.
• Motivate clients to develop the skills needed to maintain housing and comply with legal obligations. Assist and encourage individuals to develop natural supports and incorporate those supports into Service Plans and client-related meetings.
• Complete all required documentation for every client contact in a timely manner, in accordance with agency policy.
• Ensure documentation meets regulatory guidelines for the appropriate level of care.
• Co-facilitate groups on topics including, but not limited to, harm reduction, reentry, wellness, leadership, housing stability, employment and education, relationships, and healthy decision-making.
• Assist in preparing the program for audits.
• Provide crisis intervention, as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with program requirements, including facilitating appropriate admissions and discharges, maintaining census records, completing documentation, and reporting incidents.
• Liaise with other departments and outside agencies.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with consumers/residents, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences.
• Conduct apartment inspections on multiple floors, utilizing stairs. Escort clients throughout the community using public transportation. Provide assistance and instruction to clients in maintaining their home environments in safe and sanitary living conditions.
• Immediately report serious incidents, serious incident allegations, incidents, or sensitive situations to supervisors. Complete incident reports in accordance with Bridge policy. Account for consumers, conduct diligent searches, and file missing person reports for consumers who cannot be located, in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Attend staff meetings, supervision sessions, and required trainings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred, or a bachelor's degree with experience working with justice-involved individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Experience working in mental health, substance use treatment, crisis intervention, and managing trauma-related behaviors.
• Excellent time management skills; ability to work effectively under pressure; flexibility; strong teamwork skills; openness to feedback; creativity; excellent organizational skills; and willingness to obtain or maintain CPR, First Aid, AED, and Naloxone certification.
• Experience working with justice-involved individuals.
• Preferred knowledge of the AWARDS electronic health record (EHR) system.
• Bilingual Spanish is a plus.
  
  

The Bridge Inc. is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer