Outreach Specialist

Position Summary:

Coordinates community services, identity and recruit consumers for the program assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

• Identify target populations and locations where service gaps exist.
• Provide community awareness by attending health fairs and other community events.
• Identify and recruit consumers for program assigned.
• Maintains relationships with referring and supporting agencies and represent the agency at various community meetings as requested.
• Provide referral for services not provided by program.
• Conducts HIV test using OraSure or OraQuick and risk reduction counseling, as needed
• Conduct STD testing for Syphilis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, as needed
• Participate in case conference
• Provide Peer support to individuals by using personal and professional life experiences.
• Document all services delivered in a manner that aligns with WestCare policies and procedures, as well as Federal, State, and accreditation standards.
• Participate in performance improvement activities
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licensures:

• HIV/AIDS 104 Basic Education, active HIV/AIDS 500/501 training. Preference will be given to those candidates who are currently Certified;

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a bachelors degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related field is preferred
• Graduation from an accredited two-year college with an associates degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related field is preferred
• High School Diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of college-level education is required. Two (2) years of alcohol and other drug counseling experience may be substituted for one (1) year of college-level education. No more than one (1) year of college-level education may be substituted with alcohol and other drug counseling experience.

Experience and Competencies:

• Two (2) years of experience working with high-risk youth and minority populations is preferred.
• If a current or former substance abuse or mental health care service recipient who is engaged in own recovery for a minimum of two years demonstrated by an effort of self-directed recovery. May not be a current recipient of residential care.
• Bilingual is preferred.
• Ability to appropriately communicate with members of a multidisciplinary team appropriately and effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrate ability to conduct interventions with fidelity.
• Written communication skills necessary to maintain consumer files and consumer records of referrals.
• Understanding of high risk behaviors related to HIV/STD infection & HIV/STD prevention.
• Knowledge and understanding of social, sexual, psychological and familial factors facing youth.
• Understanding of issues related to cultural identity, ethnic background, age, developmental level, gender and sexual orientation in prevention, intervention and treatment.
• Ability to communicate with Program Coordinator of the progress and coordination of all services delivered to the consumers.

• Ability to communicate with internal and external departments and agencies.
• Ability to determine appropriateness and eligibility for participation in a particular program.
• Ability to engage and motivate individuals through effective oral communication.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals to motivate them to problem solve, change high-risk behaviors, and/or to utilize available resources.
• Ability to discuss sensitive and personal information in a developmentally appropriate manner.
• Certification in HIV Counseling, Testing, and Referral.
• Knowledge and application of HIV Prevention evidence-based practices including but not limited to ARTAS
• Knowledge in the understanding and application of ethical principles.
• Knowledge in the understanding and application of federal, state, local and agency rules governing confidentiality of consumer information.
• Knowledge in the understanding and application of team building techniques
• The ability to engage consumers.
• The ability to handle multiple responsibilities and to prioritize.
• Understanding of cultural, gender, age and sexual orientation factors that may affect service delivery and consumer goals and objectives.
• Must be culturally competent with the Hispanic, African American and Haitian cultures, and able to work in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.
• Must have extensive and up-to-date knowledgeable about substance use and safer sex practices.
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and consumers
• Demonstrated respect for an individual's cultural and ethnic values when interacting with staff and consumers.
• Articulates a working definition of trauma.
• Understands the impact of trauma.
• Understands re-traumatization.
• Understanding and application of federal, state, local and agency confidentiality rules and professional standards of conduct
• Understanding of professional ethics, consumer rights, and professional responsibilities
• Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values
• Knowledge of Incident Reporting
• Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality
• Familiarity with WestCare services and programs

• Demonstrates a high degree of dependability.
  • Maintains a good attendance record.
  • Observes working hours
  • Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor
  • Works independently with minimal supervision
  • Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job
  • Work time is always productive
• Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and regulatory agencies
  • Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others.
  • Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time.
  • Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare.
  • Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision
  • Maintains a positive attitude toward work
• Ensures and maintains a safe working environment.
  • Work area is clean and orderly.
  • Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures.
  • Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with the Center's reporting procedures
• Presents a positive personal image
• Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test.
• Ability utilize Microsoft Office Software Suite
• Ability to provide an Affidavit of Good Moral Character
• Clearance in Pre-Employment Drug Testing and Criminal Records Checks, as required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or outpatient treatment setting.
• Some outdoor activities may be required.
• Possible exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens and Blood Products during the normal course of duties.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and consumers in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, consumers, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee's essential job functions and to observe consumer behavior and activities in and out of the facility.
• The normal work routine involves exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with consumers, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions.
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and consumers in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.