Outreach Worker

Overview

Contributes to high quality case management services for persons served providing direct case management services.

Responsibilities

• Implement service plan interventions with persons served.
• Provide direct training and support (instruction, assistance, modeling and reinforcement) for persons served in developing and enhancing their daily living skills, i.e. symptom, medication and money management, cooking, cleaning, recreational activities, personal hygiene, social and interpersonal skills, etc.
• Maintain and update documentation in individual and program records.
• Act as an advocate for persons served.
• Communicate verbally and in writing with co-workers, supervisors, and other service providers, including funding agency personnel.
• Escort persons served into the community using public transportation, company or personal vehicle, as necessary.
• Monitor status of persons served, provides crisis intervention and counseling, as needed.
• Report incidents to on-call manager or supervisor, as required.
• Perform housecleaning tasks, as assigned.
• Attend in-service trainings and staff meetings, as assigned.
• Provide coverage for the program as required, including overnights, days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Adhere to established policies and procedures of the program and company as well as internal and external standards and regulations.
• Store, administer, document, and dispose of medication for persons served consistent with MAC requirements, funding source regulations, and Company policy. May assume on-call duties in some programs.
• May provide outreach to persons served living in their own homes.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues
• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles
• Participatory skills, collaborative skills, teaching skills
• Knowledge of human, legal, civil rights, community, and other resources
• Knowledge of available equipment, therapies, and service providers
• Knowledge of empowerment and self advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of formal and informal assessment practices
• Knowledge of participatory planning techniques
• Knowledge of required physical personal management skills
• Knowledge of required household management skills
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team

Qualifications

At least one year work experience in human services with adults with psychiatric illness and/or development disabilities is required.

A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor's degree in counseling psychology, human services, or related. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least six months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.

Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.

Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living.

Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed. Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility.

Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Required Certifications: CPR is required within two weeks of hire. First Aid is required within two weeks of hire. MAC follows CT guidelines. Safety Care is required within 60 days of hire. Other training, as assigned.