Homeless Outreach Behavioral Health Specialis

Under the general supervision of the Director of Grants and Community Engagement, the Homeless Outreach Behavioral Health Specialist serves as an independent contractor whose primary role will be to identify unsheltered homeless individuals through direct street outreach activities and through community referrals from behavioral health partners, hospitals, local law enforcement, municipalities and other social service agencies.   Once homeless individuals are identified, the Homeless Outreach Behavioral Health Specialist will provide direct and indirect services involving intensive case-management services including plan development, placement services, assistance in daily living, individual and/or group counseling, and crisis intervention.

This is a time-limited position in support of a pilot program and is contractual. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides direct and indirect services involving intensive case-management services including plan development, placement services, assistance in daily living, individual and/or group counseling, and crisis intervention.
• Provides quality and flexible behavioral health services to homeless individuals.
• Builds relationships with homeless individuals, business entities, law enforcement partners, to provide advocacy, and assist with connection to behavioral health services, benefits, and housing. 
• Refers individuals to the appropriate service provider to support clinical psychosocial evaluations in a timely manner, through in-office, telehealth, or telephone visits. Clinical services may also be provided at community-based locations, including schools, homeless shelters, and home-based services when appropriate.
• Completes direct referrals for diagnostic evaluations and recommendations.
• Develops and implements person-centered treatment plans for clients based upon clients' areas of need, diagnoses, and symptoms.
• Maintains multi-disciplinary working relationships with clinicians and other related professionals in the community. This will include making appropriate referrals, sharing of clinical information within HIPAA guidelines, and providing clinically appropriate multi-disciplinary interventions and collaborations.
• Completes timely and accurate documentation, prepares and completes clinic progress notes, assessments, reports, schedules, and other material required as a function of the position.
• Participates in staff development opportunities offered to enhance professional growth, especially to maintain clinical license(s), certification(s), or identified program performance skills.
• Participates with the Homeless Services Program team meeting and attends other staff meetings as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of homeless outreach principles and practices.
• Knowledge of mobile crisis and crisis intervention.
• Knowledge of Motivational Interviewing. 
• Knowledge of the DWIHN provider network.
• Knowledge of medical and behavioral health practices and terminology.
• Knowledge of utilization management.
• Knowledge of mental health clinical standards and protocols.
• Knowledge of and ability to use screening and assessment tools for behavioral health services.
• Knowledge of and ability to use treatment planning, case management and continuing care for behavioral health services.
• Knowledge of Person-Centered Treatment Plans.
• Knowledge of community referrals for homeless and behavioral health services.

• Knowledge of severe mental health, physical health, and substance abuse issues and symptoms.
• Computer skills
• Assessment skills
• Decision Making skills
• Customer Service skills
• Language skills
• Listening skills
• Relationship building skills
• Empathy skills.
• Communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills
• Teamwork skills.
• Ability to communicate orally.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to work with an ethnically, linguistically, culturally, economically and socially diverse population.
• Judgement/Reasoning ability.

Required Education:

• A Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, the Human Services, the Social Services or a related field.

Required Experience:

• One year of experience in a mental health or behavioral health setting.

NOTE: Experience working with adults with severe mental illness, substance use disorders, and/or homelessness is preferred.

Required License:  

• Qualified Behavioral Health Specialist

 WORKING CONDITIONS:

Employees will be subjected to outside environmental conditions while conducting various levels of outreach to homeless individuals. In addition to working in a typical office environment, the Specialist will be required to work in areas inhabited by homeless persons, this includes working in dirty environments and dealing with challenging individuals. 

This description is not intended to be a complete statement of job content, rather to act as a general description of the essential functions performed.  Management retains the discretion to add or change the position at any time. 

 Please Note:  DWIHN requires proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Medical or religious accommodation or other exemptions that may be required by law, will be approved when properly supported. Further information will be provided during the recruitment process. 

 The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer