Outreach Specialist

Description
Pay is determined by relevant experience, work history, education and internal equities. As part of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices, MHMR offers the maximum compensation for candidates based on their experience, education and internal equities of the agency. This practice removes biases in compensation and assist hires and/or promotions on pay equity in their appropriate position(s) at MHMR.
I) Job Purpose
To provide assistance and outreach to individuals who have evidence of mental illness, substance use disorder, homelessness and are at risk for HIV, STI and Hepatitis. To work closely with at risk individuals in the homeless community to support their efforts in recovering from the chronic disease of addiction or mental health using relational theory, stages of change concepts, recovery groups and education life-skills services to move through the local Continuum of Care. The Outreach Specialist is a member of the interdisciplinary Outreach team, primarily focused on the SAMHSA MOTSHI grant and 80% of job functions and operations will be performed outside of the office and in the homeless community. Flexible days of the week and hours may be required to meet the needs to the community.
II) Essential Functions
A. Provides outreach to at-risk persons exhibiting or reporting behaviors suggestive of a chronic mental health disability, sexual health, homelessness or co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders.

1. Outreach to at-risk contacts on a daily basis and provide weekly follow ups to the contacts made throughout the fiscal year.
2. Maintain regular and frequent communication with each contact through the use of phone calls, text messages, handwritten letters and notes that reinforce your connectedness to each contact as well as other outreach effects.
3. Mentor contacts in utilizing service providers by transporting clients to appointments, harm reduction skills, role-playing, problem-solving, negotiation skills, empowerment techniques, sexual health educational services and being a source of encouragement and inspiration.
4. Connect with each outreach contact according to phase of the program.

B. Enroll individuals who meet criteria for Outreach Programs and provide referral services to assigned contacts.

1. Enroll at risk individuals into appropriate, person centered programs.
2. Maintain weekly communication with assigned contacts.
3. Complete/update contact registration and schedule contact appointment with prescriber or treatment services if warranted.
4. Refers each assigned contact to community providers that can provide for the needs identified.
5. Communicate with community provider prior to contact making connections and assist in linking the contact with the provider.

C. Mentor/coach individuals in recovery through a process of self-help group attendance and recovery related supportive services.

1. Write a service plan for each contact connecting client recovery goals and program goals.
2. Record all contacts in HMIS, CMBHS, RED-ROC and agency databases.
3. Escort contacts to appropriate appointments or recovery providers as needed.

D. Provide Outreach and assessment services for assigned shelters and or community stakeholders while engaging individuals in our assigned programs.

1. Attend scheduled appointments at assigned facilities.
2. Notify facility contact person, 100% of the time, when you are unable to attend.
3. Utilize creative methods and incentive that will encourage and reward the contact's growth and development. Provide prevention and harm reduction techniques of substance misuse, mental health recovery, sexual health education, and COPSD diagnosis.

E. To provide coordination of services to contacts per month through routine utilization of recovery support services and other appropriate services that are person centered to the contacts specific needs.

1. Assist each contact in developing a network of support with family, friends, self-help groups and providers that will commit to actively be involved into the contact's recovery.
2. Connect contacts with services and self-help groups. Assist contacts into the next or preferred treatment modality along with coordination of treatment team.

F. Transport outreach contacts as needed.

1. Transports contacts to appointments and/or other resources as needed or available.
2. Obeys all traffic laws when transporting contacts or while operating an agency vehicle.

G. Intervenes in crisis situations.

1. Utilizes SAMA intervention methods in all interactions with all agency contacts that are involved in a crisis situation 95% of the time.
2. Reports any situation, which requires an incident report to the supervisor within one hour of becoming aware of it 95% of the time.
3. Completes incident reports on observed crisis according to agency procedure 100% of the time.

H. Collects and reports data on outreach contacts.

1. Completes a progress note on each contact and prints and files the note in contact's chart.
2. Tracks services and referrals of contacts on spreadsheets and submits them to supervisor weekly.
3. Provide brief synapsis of contacts during the week to supervisor in weekly updates.

I. Enter data into ETO (HMIS) and CMBHS and RED-ROC.

1. All services provided to contacts will be entered into ETO. Services will be documented in HMIS progress note. Document specific actions the contact is taking that are progressively moving the contact through the stage of change and discuss those accomplishments regularly with the contacts.
2. All data entry will be completed in a timely manner to maintain accuracy of services and referrals provided.

J. Employee produces positive outcomes as a result of his/her interaction with others.

1. Employee interacts with contacts, other staff, the MHMR-Tarrant organization, and other organizations in a manner that promotes positive outcomes for the employee, the contact(s), other staff, his/her supervisor(s), the MHMR-Tarrant organization and other organization(s) 95% of the time.
2. Employee uses channels of communication prescribed by Agency Operating Procedure, established "chain of command", laws, instructions, or other legitimate codifying entities in order to bring contact and system problems to the attention of the appropriate authority 98% of the time.
3. Employee has no more than three (3) episodes per calendar year in which contacts, other staff, the MHMR-Tarrant organization and any other organization(s) have negative outcomes as a result of the employee's interactions with them.

K. Performance standards are performed as applicable with MHMR's We CARE values "We Connect People in Our Community. We Provide Access to Services. We Link People to Resources. We Empower People."
• Perform other job duties or responsibilities as requested or assigned.
III) Knowledge of Laws, Regulations, Policies/Procedures, Skills, and Abilities
1. Employee will demonstrate the ability to train contacts at risk for HIV/STI and HCV.
2. Employee will demonstrate the ability to train contacts with a Mental Health disability.
3. Employee will demonstrate the ability to train contacts with a Substance Use Disorder.
4. Employee will demonstrate the ability to train contact with homelessness
5. Employee will demonstrate the ability to work in a self-directed and productive manner.
6. Employee will demonstrate the ability to successfully complete required training.
7. Employee will demonstrate the ability to make common sense judgments under limited supervision.
8. Employee will demonstrate the ability to interact courteously with peers, supervisors, administrators, contacts, and all others as a representative of MHMR of Tarrant County at all times.
9. Employee will demonstrate the ability to perform job duties while working within their schedule.
10. Employee will demonstrate ability to develop productive relationships with clients with a Mental Health disability and other diagnosed disabilities.
11. Employee will demonstrate knowledge of contacts' needs and characteristics associated with the present disability population.
12. Employee will demonstrate skills in performing assessment of contact needs and in synthesizing data gained in assessment into comprehensive treatment plans, which address needs in terms meaningful to the contact.
13. Employee will demonstrate knowledge of local community resources plus knowledge and ability to work within agency political contexts.
14. Employee will demonstrate knowledge and ability to work within agency and intra-agency political contexts.
15. Employee will demonstrate skills in making productive referrals, negotiating assertively from an advocacy based client-centered perspective with a variety of public service agency professionals.
16. Employee will demonstrate ability to recognize barriers and issues between service systems and ability to utilize personal arbitration/conflict-resolution strategies in difficult service integration situations.
17. Employee will demonstrate ability to work independently, organize work efficiently, and prioritize response to changing needs of individual clients.
18. Employee will demonstrate the ability to cope with frustration while serving in goal-directed pursuits or resources.
19. Employee will demonstrate the ability to work in a non-judgmental manner with contacts whose belief systems may be based on values different from those of the staff.
20. Employee will demonstrate the ability to initiate and maintain productive contact with a variety of service providers.
21. Employee will be able to articulate clearly and concisely both in verbal and written modes.
22. Employee will demonstrate knowledge of human personality development, abnormal psychology, and substance abuse.
23. Employee will demonstrate the ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
24. Employee will demonstrate the ability to accept direction and make constructive use of professional and clinical supervision.
25. Employee will demonstrate the ability to develop knowledge of major classes of medications and related side effects.
26. Employee will possess effective organizational, communication and time management skills, be self-directed, motivated and able to work autonomously.
27. Employee will demonstrate the ability to acquire knowledge of Medicaid Standards, Community Standards, DSM V and payer requirements for services.
IV) Internal & External Customer Service
This position requires extensive internal and external communication with contacts, family members, significant others, service providers, and practitioners. The Outreach Services Specialist will accomplish this with exceptional written and verbal skills. Other contacts may include, but are not limited to: John Peter Smith Hospital, Family Services, Social Security Administration, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Regulatory and Protective Services, AIDS Foundation, City-County and State Law Enforcement Agencies, Presbyterian Night Shelter, Union Gospel Mission, Salvation Army, Charities Street Outreach Teams and other community stake holders.
V) Travel
This position requires driving to and from locations for work and/and may require overnight traveling. Employees are required to have a license in good standing and be able to be covered by agency liability insurance. If personal vehicle is utilized for work travel, then maintaining personal auto insurance coverage is required.
Minimum Requirements
Required Education
High School Diploma / GED
Defined Education
Two (2) years' experience community-based experience on issues/projects working with mental health, substance use disorders, HIV/STI, homelessness, HCV and community resources or equivalent combination of education and work/life experience
Substitutions
Can substitute Associates degree in Social Work or a Human Service field for one (1) year of work/life experience in sexual health and substance use disorders. Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a Human Service-related field for two (2) years of work/life experience in sexual health and substance use disorders.
Years' Experience
Two (2) years

1. High School Diploma + 2 years of work/life experience in sexual health and substance use disorders
2. Associates degree in Social Work or a Human Service field + 1 year of work/life experience in sexual health and substance use disorders
3. Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a Human Service field + 0 years' experience

Defined Experience
Prior experience in settings that required motivation of adults and to function as a positive role mode. Excellent problem-solving skills that involve creativity in thinking outside of the box.
License/Certifications
Valid Texas Driver's License with an acceptable driving record, Community Health Worker Certification (within a year of hire date), Recovery Coach Certification (within sixty days of hire) as a condition of employment.
Supervisory Experience
none
Testing Requirements
Pre-employment tests including drug and TB Screening, Physical Exam including balance and lift test.
Satori Alternatives to Managing Aggression (SAMA) Assisting and protection
Lifting Requirements
25 Pounds
All staff are required to participate in agency Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Safety programs and may be assigned by their departments as a key/essential staff level function during critical events or for the purpose of sustaining business continuity.
This position may require temporary or permanent re-assignment to any MHMR Tarrant facility as determined by program needs and /or the Division/Director.
Assigned work hours may change as the needs of the agency change.
The functional Title of this position may change as the needs of the agency change.
All work will be complete within the scheduled work hours. All non-exempt (hourly) employee are expected to clock In and ou...