ERE Outreach Worker

Job Description Summary: 

The ERE Outreach Worker assists adults, 18 years of age and older, impacted by a variety of behavioral health (addiction/substance use and mental health) issues in progress toward specific goals of an individualized treatment plan.  This worker assists individuals in making informed choices, and assures timely access by the client to psychiatric, medical, and social systems while demonstrating a warm and welcoming empathic, hopeful attitude, conveying a philosophy of dual recovery.  This worker provides the mechanisms for an individual to progress within or among Ozark Center service delivery systems and the community at large.  The ERE Outreach Worker serves adults who are assessed as having a serious mental illness and/or who might also be dealing with addiction/substance use issues.  The ERE Outreach Worker is primarily responsible for facilitating the maximum level of independent functioning of the clients served, engaging the individual in treatment services and reduce contacts with hospital emergency departments and law enforcement.  ERE clients will have had at least three contacts within 3 months or six contacts within one year, with emergency departments and/or law enforcement.  They are not likely to engage in services and are not currently involved in treatment.  These clients may be in need of respite care, more stable housing, medical care and/or medication.  They may require assistance with transportation to and from treatment services.  This worker provides services to individuals impacted by a variety of behavioral health (addiction/substance use and mental health) issues, recognizing that the individuals enrolled within the ERE program have often times experienced trauma that affects their adjustment and community functioning.  This worker will be trained in trauma-informed care approaches and will work to help provide services in an environment that is sensitive and responsive which will prevent victimization, abuse, or trauma as a result of the care received.  ERE Outreach Worker reports to the Assistant Director of Crisis Services, who serves as the ERE Coordinator.

Education:

Success candidates will meet either of the following requirements:

• An individual with a bachelor's degree in a human services field which includes social work, psychology, nursing, education, criminal justice, recreational therapy, human development and family studies, counseling, child development, gerontology, sociology, human services, behavioral science, and rehabilitation counseling; or
• An individual with any four- (4-) year combination of higher education and qualifying experience; or
• An individual with any four- (4-) year degree and two (2) years of qualifying experience; or
• An individual with an Associate of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support degree from an approved institution; or
• An individual with four (4) years of qualifying experience.

* Qualifying experience must include delivery of services to individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities.

Work Experiences:

• The individual must have at least one (1) year experience in assessment and crisis intervention interviewing/assessment skills.

Responsibilities:

• The ERE Outreach Worker participates in the ongoing assessment of a client’s status and the development of a treatment plan for all clients admitted to the ERE program. 
• The ERE Outreach Worker will participate on any interagency and interdisciplinary teams to assure continuity and coordination of service delivery.
• The ERE Outreach Worker will conduct periodic re-assessment of the clients’ status and overall community functioning.
• The ERE Outreach Worker will assist the client to access and utilize a variety of community agencies and resources that can provide a wide range of ongoing supports and activities including, but not limited to, medical, social, educational, vocational and recreational. 
• The ERE Outreach Worker will provide individualized assistance in creating personal support systems that includes work with family members, legal guardians, or significant others regarding the needs and abilities of an identified client and providing back-up support to families, friends and community members;
• The ERE Outreach Worker will provide direct services such as teaching, coaching, modeling, problem-solving as well as direct assistance to the client.  The ERE Outreach Worker assists in negotiating systems of care for all clients admitted to the ERE program, when appropriate;
• The ERE Outreach Worker will locate and coordinate services/resources to help resolve an ERE client’s crisis;
• The ERE Outreach Worker will participate in transition and discharge planning for all assigned ERE program clients;
• The ERE Outreach Worker will maintain contact with clients who are hospitalized, participate in and assist with discharge planning from the hospital, as appropriate;
• Provide case management as appropriate; and the ERE Outreach Worker will record and complete necessary documentation on all aspects of case management, assessments, plans, referrals, progress notes, due process requirements, discharge planning and case closures as dictated by license requirements, discharge planning and case closures as dictated by licensure requirements, State and Federal regulations, as well as Ozark Center Policy and Procedure.  
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.  ERE Outreach Worker will be cross trained for other positions within the Crisis Services department, for which they are qualified to perform based on their education and/or experience. Other duties may be assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Normal office environment. 
• Typical demands include prolonged sitting, frequent standing, bending, stooping, and occasional lifting up to 25 pounds. 
• Requires normal range of hearing and manual dexterity sufficient to operate keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator, and other office equipment as needed. 
• Requires ability to work under stressful conditions and to work irregular hours and deal with irate individuals.
• TB test upon hire.