Street Outreach Wkr

I) Job Purpose

To provide outreach, education, and services as an intricate part of a team. A Street Outreach Specialist should identify the target populations (sexually at risk persons and substance users), meeting them in their environments and evaluating, educating, and engaging them to services that could help reduce the risk of HIV and other STD/STI infections. The Outreach Specialist should perform street, as well as community HIV/Substance Abuse Outreach and assist the customers by screening and referring them to substance treatment, health care of other available support services.

II) Principal Responsibilities

Gain access to the target-Group (s) members and create a Therapeutic Relationship.
Performance Standards:

• Spend at a minimum 80% of the work time in the field engaging customers in their environments, including but not limited to: bars/clubs, public sex venues, shooting galleries, truck stops, crack houses, bridges, and the streets.
• Disseminate HIV/AIDS, STD/STI, Hepatitis, TB as well as Substance prevention information to target group members in their environments achieving all measurable goals set by the annual funding programs.
• Provide Outreach Contacts
• Provide Follow-Up Contacts
• Provide and Conduct at least 15 Screenings per month.
• Provide Admissions for Substance Treatment

Increase the awareness of the target population's risk of HIV/AIDS and other STD/STI.
Performance Standards:

• Provide HIV/AIDS, STD/STI, Hepatitis and substance abuse education to individuals or groups at designated locations according to the set annual target goals.
• Provide Education/Presentation Class and/or groups.
• Provide Harm Reduction plans and acknowledge evaluation of attendees at presentations and education groups
• Provide and engage individuals and groups in alternative parties, health fairs, and other special events according to the set annual target goals.
• Proposition of Crisis Intervention with high-risk individuals as needed.

Conduct individual HIV Risk Assessment and HIV Testing.
Performance Standards:

• Assess individuals at risk for HIV and provide HIV Testing and/or referrals for testing.
• Provide HIV testing (Pre/Post) using the Texas Department of State Health Services Protocols.
• Use the Risk Reduction protocols outlined by the Texas Dept. of State Health Services protocol on 100% individuals tested for HIV.

Reinforce the reduction of high risk behavior.
Performance Standards:

• Provide referral contacts.
• Provide one-on-one risk reduction sessions with 100% of individuals tested for HIV and at least 30% of all outreach contacts.
• Provide risk reduction follow-up on 50% of the individuals tested.

Promote HIV Prevention Advocacy
Performance Standards:

• Provide updated programs to the MHMR of Tarrant County Board of Directors, when necessary.
• Assist with establishing Letters of Agreement with other community organizations and agencies.
• Provide educational presentations to local schools, universities/colleges, churches/synagogues, treatment centers, homeless shelters and other entities when requested.
• Attend collaborations with other HIV and/or STD, substance organizations where developing improved services are constructive and beneficial.

Documentation of Daily Activities (DSHS, SAMHSA or MHMRT) Pro Forma 
Performance Standards:

• Turn in 100% of forms within a twenty-four (24) hour period. All forms must be validated by the Program Manager, and signed by each team member who is part of the day's outreach activities. Each form must be accurate and include all handouts, services, referrals, demographic information and status required for reporting to annual funding sources.
• Forms include; but not limited to: Daily Activities Report, basic contact forms, program service exposition, activity rosters and group attendance forms, Pre/Post Education Forms, knowledge base surveys, harm reduction protocol forms, mileage/location sheets, and employee time sheets.
• Complete MHMR of Tarrant County training within 60 days of hire date and attend refresher training as required by MHMR of Tarrant County Training Dept.
• Outreach Specialist must wear MHMR badges and carry with them their I355 (telephone) during all work hours. Teams are required to contact Program Manager or Program Specialist when leaving/changing locations, and must remain within a 10 block radius of established location. Mileage logs must be updated per location.
• Outreach teams will be no smaller than 2 workers or larger than 15 workers when out in the street. No outreach specialist may work alone at any time.
• Outreach teams are required to work in daily quadrants, which are confirmed by Program Specialist (s) - Front Line Supervisor(s) and/or Program Manager.

III) Policies/Procedures, Regulations and Laws 

• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships.
• Ability to provide substance education to Addiction Services customers and community at large.
• Ability to analyze environment
• Ability to provide crisis intervention and stabilization when needed.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in both verbal and written forms.
• Knowledge of the treatment of substance abuse.
• Knowledge of current HIV and STD/STI treatment and prevention methods.
• Knowledge of family, vocational, legal, and cultural as well as other sociological problems associated with HIV/AIDS, STD/STI and prevention/intervention methods.
• Knowledge of DSHS/CARF standards; knowledge of MHMR and Tarrant County and Addiction Services Policy and Procedures Manual.

IV) Personal and Public Contact

• Director of HIV services,
• MHMR of Tarrant County programs, Family Services, Dept. of State Health Services,
• Recovery Resources
• Tarrant County Public Health Department John Peter Smith Hospital.

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.

Required Education
High School Diploma / GED

Required Experience
Six months experience in substance abuse field
 
Required License
Valid Texas driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
 
Required Supervisory Experience
0 year(s)

Substitutions
Education life experience or Counselor Intern (CI) may be substituted for experience.
 
Testing Requirements
Pre-employment tests including drug/alcohol and TB Screening, Physical Exam including balance, cardio and lift test. Satori Alternatives to Managing Aggression (SAMA) Protection.
 
Lifting Requirements
25 Pounds

Our Benefits:

Our total rewards program offers benefits* to full time employees beginning 1st of the month following hire date including but not limited to:

Comprehensive healthcare options (Medical, Dental, and Vision)

Life insurance and additional supplemental accident and hospitalization plans

401a match and 457 deferred compensation plans

Paid vacation and holidays; varied flexible work environment locations

Annual tuition reimbursement program

Student Loan Forgiveness

Professional development programs and training

And more.....

Insurance eligibility:

Full time employees begin 1st of the month following hire date

Market driven positions (full time or part time) begin immediately after hire date

Select part time market driven positions are eligible for most insurance plans

Substitute status jobs are not eligible for benefits

For more information, click https://www.mhmrtarrant.org/benefits/

Additional Information
*MHMR of Tarrant County ("MHMR") and its affiliates and subsidiaries have an internal recruiting department. MHMR may supplement that internal capability from time to time with assistance from temporary staffing agencies, placement services, and professional recruiters herein after referred to collectively as "Recruiters"). Recruiters are hereby specifically directed NOT to contact MHMR employees directly in an attempt to present candidates - MHMR recruiting team or other authorized MHMR personnel must present ALL candidates to hiring managers. For more information please visit our website www.mhmrtc.org