Overall Summary

Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor, Outreach Worker will provide outreach and engagement services, complete assessments, and provide short term and brief HIV medical linkage, mental health and substance use services to people living with and at risk for HIV. Once the participant has agreed to participate in HIV services, the Outreach Worker will work to identify a behavioral health and medical provider and do a warm hand off to the new provider.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide direct services to homeless individuals including: outreach, engagement, and rapport building, linkage and referral to services to meet participant’s immediate need, and crisis counseling.
• Risk reduction counseling and support to clients.
• Conduct rapid HIV testing to people at risk of acquiring HIV and work with Linkage Case Manager to link people who test positive to medical care in a timely manner.
• Coordinate care and discharge planning for participants in institutional settings, hospitals, etc.
• Utilize motivational interviewing to support participants in seeking substance use services.
• Provide linkage and warm hand offs to long term medical and behavioral health providers.
• Collect data and provide information for reports to funders and other community partners regarding services provided and outcomes
• Work within the framework of BACH’s GUEST Model.
• Work flexible schedule and overtime, as necessary.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Accompany clients to appointments at other agencies as needed.
• Attend workshops, training, and meetings as needed, and as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred education, experience, training

• AA/AS in Social Services or related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Must possess 1 year of field experience working with people with serious mental illness, HIV, LGBTQIA+ individuals with a dual diagnosis and/or the homeless population
• Bilingual Spanish or other language preferred
• Must have a working knowledge of substance use and mental health disabilities as well as knowledge and ability to implement the following evidence-based models: Harm Reduction, Strength-based Case Management and Motivational Interviewing.
• Commitment to serving the LGBTQ community. Have a clear understanding of PTSD, alcohol and drug dependency and other mental health issues.

Critical Success Factors in this role include: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, email, internet, and calendaring applications. Experience with HMIS, ARIES and EPIC data entry strongly preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of local housing markets and local community resources.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and crisis intervention skills with a can do and flexible attitude.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, multitask, maintain confidentiality, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain professional conduct, attitude and appearance at all times.
• Access to reliable transportation.

Physical Demands:

This position requires:

• Sitting, walking, and standing associated with outdoor environment.
• Regular bending and stretching; and lifting.
• Manual dexterity used to include, but not limited to, standard office equipment, and computer keyboard.
• Traveling to work sites including some exposure to outside elements at outdoor fairs.
• Presenting information in front of a group.
• Reading and writing in order to review records for accuracy.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
• Will work with blood or blood-borne pathogens and will require OSHA training.

Supervises

None