Outreach Specialist

Primary function

• Participate in recruitment, retention, and post treatment monitoring of clients diagnosed with chemical dependency.  Assist with community education, data collection, outreach strategies and development.  Provide risk reduction education, HIV testing and referrals to aid in the prevention of new HIV infections by performing the following duties. Participates in the coordination and planning of community events as well as day to day activities of the program. Responsible for initial engagement and maintaining relationships with community partners. Maintain work performance in accordance with unit goals. 

Scope of work

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position.

• Identify program referral sources through community outreach.
• Educate referral sources about collaboration and continuum of programs.
  
• Maintain ongoing contact with referral sources providing identified services, as needed.
  
• Visit potential clients, in community, and provide information about programs.
  
• Assist in the development of HIV outreach strategies for client recruitment, retention, and post treatment monitoring.
  
• Provide individual, group, family therapy as needed to help increase entry into treatment.
  
• Conduct client assessments and evaluations.
  
• Assist in Community Outreach activities.
  
• Work closely with Data Specialist to complete, review and submit reports as required.
  
• Provide administrative support as needed.
  
• Participate in staff development activities.
  
• Provide HIV counseling, testing and education.
  

Standards of performance

• Maintain client rights as defined by DCF.
• Maintain the highest standards in ethical conduct and confidentiality.
• Maintain clinical records in accordance with agency standards.
• Follow all established agency policies and procedures.
• Model ideals of integrity, loyalty, and teamwork.
• Sustain a positive, caring, supportive, recovery-oriented environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operation instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports.  Ability to speak effectively.  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.  Knowledge of 12-step program, behavior modification, case management and addiction.

Physical requirements

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Regularly required to sit and talk or hear.  Frequently required to stand and/or walk; use hand s to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands or arms.  Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.