Outreach Worker

Description

Position Title: Outreach Worker   

Program/Location: FSP ICM / San Luis Obispo  

Position Summary:

The Full Service Partnership Intensive Case Management (FSP-ICM) provides intensive, community-based services to unserved and underserved adults age 18 and older with serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorders who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, incarceration, or institutionalization. Under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), FSP-ICM serves as the least intensive level of care within the FSP continuum and may function as a step-down from Assertive Community Treatment (ACT).

The FSP ICM Outreach Worker provides community-based outreach, engagement, care coordination, and supportive services to adults experiencing serious mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, homelessness, or risk of homelessness. Working primarily in the field, the Outreach Worker builds relationships with individuals who may be disconnected from services, assists with accessing housing, benefits, medical and behavioral health care, and provides transportation, advocacy, and linkage to community resources. Using a trauma-informed, person-centered approach, the Outreach Worker supports clients in achieving stability, increasing community integration, and progressing toward their individualized recovery and wellness goals.

Hours/ Salary Employee Perks:

Full-time, non-exempt position. 40 hours per week. Anticipated hiring range is $25.50-$26.50. Includes a generous individual benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life, 403b retirement (with up to a 5% employer match paid vacation/holiday time, paid sick time and a variety of helpful employee perks as well. (*Full Salary Schedule $25.50-$33.99 per hour). 

Employee Perks:

A few of our helpful employee benefits include membership discounts to various local fitness centers. We offer years of service gift cards to businesses of your choice. We offer gift cards for walking, biking, or carpooling to work as well as 20% discount for shopping at our Growing Grounds Downtown Store/Nursey/ Farm. We host two employee appreciation events for employees and their families yearly. We practice Trauma Informed Care Principles, Guidelines for Collaborative Conversations, and encourage the use of pronouns. We mindfully promote equality, respect and diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all the fascinating characteristics that make us different! TMHA is also a pet friendly workplace (upon approval)!

Organization Description:

Transitions – Mental Health Association is a leading non-profit agency committed to providing comprehensive mental health services and support to individuals and families by inspiring hope, growth, recovery and wellness in our communities.  TMHA has decades of experience with teams of compassionate staff. TMHA is a driving force in improving mental health and wellness in our communities and a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and individual contributions. 

Mission Statement:

Transitions Mental Health Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community and family support services.  

Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Identify homeless mentally ill adults in the community and build a rapport of trust and advocacy.  Assist identified clients in accessing appropriate services and any available housing options. Provide support with transition to treatment services and local resources.  

2. Recognize and be available to clients in psychiatric crisis or emotional distress, linking them to appropriate support systems, including outpatient and crisis/inpatient treatment.

3. Assist clients in determining, developing, and carrying out their own goals; review plans and goals, evaluate progress, and foster independence.

4. Complete program paperwork: this may include individual client files, evaluating and charting client progress, time sheets.

5. Act as agency liaison by consulting, collaborating, and communicating with internal and external departments to meet client and program objectives.  This may include working with homeless shelter staff, Probation Departments, Park Rangers, local Police Departments, County Behavioral Health staff and Drug and Alcohol staff to coordinate client care; ensuring that appropriate Releases of Information are obtained before communicating with outside staff.

6. Attend weekly staff meetings, monthly staff meetings and quarterly all-agency meetings. Share relevant client information at staff meetings to get feedback from peers and brainstorm best options for clients.

7. Receive referrals from a variety of sources and meet with the client in a timely manner to assess their needs and appropriateness for services. Complete necessary intake paperwork with potential clients and follow their progress until outreach services are no longer needed. 

8. Coordinate with other members of the team to address client’s holistic wellness needs such as coordinating with the nurse for doctor’s appointments and mentors for transportation, etc. 

9. Responsible for meeting target outcomes including outreaching to 300 or more severely mentally ill homeless clients per year and attempting to connect them to appropriate mental health treatment.

10. Connecting clients to all available resources including obtaining an ID, assisting them with applying for state and federal benefits, obtaining income or employment if possible and following up on all case management needs related to this including paperwork, comm All direct service staff are expected to spend at least 50% of their work time in direct service and support of clients, unless otherwise assigned by your supervisor.

11. Medi-Cal billing provides a critical portion of funding for this program. You are expected to reach documentation and billing goals as set by Team Leader and Director.

12. Communicating with other agencies to ensure task completion problem-solving solving.

13. Must be comfortable working in a diverse and unpredictable environment, which includes time out in the field and clients at various functional levels.

14. Must be willing to meet clients where they are at with a “whatever it takes approach and a non-judgmental, trauma-informed philosophy.

15. Seek out advice and support from the team when needed for difficult or complex cases and implement feedback from the Program Manager.

16. Promote, encourage and maintain trauma-informed practices in all services and activities. 

Practice and promote, both individually and in team meetings, TMHA’s Collaborative Communication Guidelines in order to facilitate clear, empathetic and person-centered communication. 

17. Complete all mandatory and trainings and complete the required 20 hours per year

18. Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Team Leader and Directors.

Job Environment:

1. Daily and frequent documentation of client services on the computer.

2. Services are delivered to clients during a workweek; schedules will be developed in collaboration with all teammates and management staff to ensure maximum support for clients.

3. Moderate, physical activity and frequent driving that will include the transportation of TMHA clients; may include moving or lifting up to 50 lbs.

4. Involves moderate risks that require safety precautions and the risk of exposure to potentially intense situations.  

Supplemental Information:

This Job Description is a guideline reflecting the primary activities associated with this position; it is not intended to be an all-encompassing list of responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions. TMHA retains the right to assign other related duties; change or modify this job description at any time. 

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

1. BA/BS AND 6 months of full-time equivalent experience with target population, OR AA/AS or CADAC/CPRP certification AND 2 years of full-time equivalent experience with target population, OR 4 years of full-time equivalent experience with target population.

2. Must have a strong commitment to the right and ability of each person with a severe and persistent mental illness to live in a safe living environment; develop a meaningful role in the community; and have access to competent and continuous supports and services.  

3. Must have a strong commitment in clients’ rights to self-govern and create their own choices. 

4. Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative work style and strong oral/written and communication skills.  

5. Well defined organizational and time management skills. 

6. Ability to work independently and flexibly

7. Ability to handle intense situations, display good judgment and decision-making skills, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure. 

8. Able to work effectively with a variety of people and personality types regardless of age, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or socio-economic level

9. Ability to possess and maintain good physical and mental health.  

10. Ability to work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful attitude in the workplace.

11. Ability to be willing to work with supervisor oversight and direction. 

12. Attendance is an essential function of this job that requires face-to-face interaction with clients and/or other employees.

13. Ability to mindfully promote equality and respect diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all of the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

14. Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services

15. Knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including mental health, gender, race and ethnicity. 

16. Must use reasonable precautions in the performance of one’s duties and adhere to all applicable safety rules and practices while acting in such a manner as to assure at all times, maximum safety to one’s self, fellow employees, clients, and other persons contacted through TMHA business. 

17. Conditions of employment include: 

• Must be at least 18 years of age; possess a valid CA Driver’s License, at least 2 years driving experience, reliable transportation, proof of auto insurance, and DMV driving record that meets TMHA’s current vehicle insurance requirements.  May be required to utilize personal vehicle and auto insurance.  

• Must comply with a TB assessment (possibly a TB test if needed to confirm a negative tuberculosis result) and receipt of a criminal record clearance through fingerprinting.  

• Must be able to successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.

Physical Demands:

1. Seeing

2. Hearing

3. Speaking

4. Stooping/Bending

5. Moving around office

6. Moving between offices/clients

7. Driving

8. Climbing

9. Lifting/carrying heavy items

10. Computer use

11. Pushing/pulling/dragging items

12. Standing for long periods

13. Working outside

14. Using hands/fingers