Prevention Specialist

Position Summary:

Provides prevention services to individuals in the area assigned through the public school system, universities, trade schools, as well as youth involved in juvenile justice, foster care and community organizations. Offers prevention education in group setting, peer counseling on individual level, and referrals as needed.

Essential Job Functions:

• Identify target populations and locations where service gaps exist.
• Provide community education to increase awareness about substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and other STDs.
• Identify and recruit consumers for Alcohol Literacy Challenge, PRIME for Life, and Teen Intervene.
• Conduct Universal, Selective and Indicated substance prevention services using Alcohol Literacy Challenge, PRIME for Life, and Teen Intervene
• Provide referral for services not provided by program.
• Prepare reports on monthly, quarterly and yearly basis, or whenever requested to do so by Program Coordinator and/or Program Director.
• Maintain consumer records in accord with 65D-30 and Department of Health regulations and Village Policy and Procedure.
• Participate in case conference
• Understands HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality
• Completes all orientation and mandated training activities, including E-Learning Courses, within required timeframes, and in accordance with the criteria established for this position.
• 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:

• None

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited bachelors program with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related field is required

Experience and Competencies:

• A minimum of two years experience in the field of social services preferred.
• Bilingual is preferred.
• Must have reliable means of transportation
• Must have familiarity with Miami-Dade County.
• 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.
• During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.
• Maintains confidential files and records.
• The ability to coordinate and integrate multiple services, as well as interface and communicate with internal and external providers
• The ability to provide information to individuals and families concerning alcohol or other drug use, mental health problems, and the available services and resources
• Ability to communicate effectively with youth (13-20 years) to motivate them to change high-risk behaviors, problem solve and/or to utilize available resources.
• Must have an extensive and up-to-date knowledge about substance abuse and safer sex practices.
• Knowledge and understanding of social, sexual, psychological and familial factors facing youth.
• Ability to discuss sensitive and personal information in a developmentally appropriate manner.
• Ability to engage and motivate youth through effective oral communication through group or individual educational sessions.
• Proficiency in delivery of Alcohol Literacy Challenge, PRIME for Life, and Teen Intervene.
• The ability to handle multiple responsibilities and to prioritize.
• Written communication skills necessary to maintain consumer records or referrals.
• Ability to communicate with Program Director of the progress and coordination of all services delivered to the consumers.
• Ability to use trauma informed care principles including ensuring consumer safety, preventing/avoiding re-traumatization, maximizing trustworthiness, enhancing consumer choice, maximizing collaboration, and emphasizing empowerment
• Ability to identify and describe key signs, symptoms, impact and manifestations of trauma
• Aware of the differences between trauma informed and trauma-specific services
• Understands the bidirectional relationships among substance use and mental disorders and trauma
• Understands the differences among various kinds of abuse and trauma, including: physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; domestic violence; experiences of war for both combat veterans and survivors of war; natural disasters; and community violence
• The ability to identify crises when they surface; mitigate or resolve the immediate problem; and de-escalate the situation, including the ability to develop Safety Plans, as needed
• The ability to provide information to individuals and families concerning alcohol or other drug use, mental health problems, and the available services and resources
• The ability to identify the needs of a consumer and family that cannot be met by the counselor or agency and to assist the consumer/family to utilize the support systems and community resources available
• Knowledge and application of developmental theories
• Understanding of family dynamics, family roles, and family structure
• 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
• Understanding of issues related to cultural identity, ethnic background, age, developmental level, gender and sexual orientation in prevention, intervention and treatment.
• Understands that different cultural and ethnic groups have different perceptions of health, wellness, behavioral health, and preventive health services
• Demonstrates respect for individual's cultural and ethnic values when conducting assessments, developing Wellness and Recovery Plans, and providing services
• Understands that different cultures define and perceive family and its importance differently
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and populations
• 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

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in a school setting.
• Some outdoor activities may be required.

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 clients 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, clients, 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 client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. 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 clients, 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 clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.