Substance Use Street Outreach Specialist

Community Care Network is seeking a Substance Use Street Outreach Specialist to join our team!

Community Care Network is comprised of Rutland Mental Health Services and Rutland Community Programs. Our mission is to enhance the well-being of our communities, individuals and families through responsive, innovative and collaborative human services.

About the Role:

The Substance Use Street Outreach Specialist is responsible for providing outreach and engagement to individuals in the community struggling with symptoms of substance use. This position is a member of a community collaboration with the Rutland Free Clinic, Turning Point, and the Community Resource Team. The Substance Use Street Outreach Specialist ensures a person centered, trauma informed, harm reduction approach is facilitated through community education, modeling and consultation. This position will maintain a strong connection to the broader Adult Services Team at Rutland Mental Health through weekly team meetings, trainings, weekly supervision, and office space. This position will be primarily community based, meeting and engaging individuals where they are in a variety of settings.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Participate in Outreach Care Team activities including field work, being present at various community locations that serve individuals experiencing homelessness, trainings, weekly debrief meetings.
• Coordinate and facilitate access to appropriate levels of treatment including: residential placement, access, MAT provider, detox, discharge planning/step down from residential to outpatient, crisis, etc.
• Participate in interagency planning and service coordination activities as directed to improve and enhance service continuity and effectiveness for clients to include but not be inclusive of referrals to other interagency programs.
• Maintain close communication with the consulting psychiatrist, Medical Director and/or nurse for input regarding medication compliance, side effects of medication, and/or medication changes as well as alert required members of the staff of any changes in client adjustment which might suggest decompensation and a need for more aggressive intervention.
• Engage with individuals in a respectful manner that promotes developing rapport.

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, human services, social work or related field preferred; High School diploma required.

• Or an Associate's degree and 5 years experience working with adults in recovery.

• Possesses 1-2 years combination of mental health work experience and training to perform principal responsibilities.

• Knowledge with services, systems, and programs available in the community including primary health care, residential treatment, Medication assisted treatment, eligibility criteria and intake processes, generic community resources, and mental health.

• Working knowledge of substance use, relapse prevention, overdose risk, serious mental illness, mental disabilities, including clinical and developmental issues.

• Understanding the use of medications in the care or treatment of the population served.

• Ability to work effectively in an often-conflicting environment that dictates high need of service with limited resources.

• Superior communication skills, verbally and in writing, and able to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to work with team members, maintaining effective inter- and intra-agency working relationships.

• Ability to work independently, performing position duties under general supervision.

• Ability to engage and sustain ongoing relationships with individuals receiving services.

• Must have a valid driver's license, and reliable transportation with personal automobile liability insurance coverage at or above the levels mandated by the State of Vermont.

• *Successful completion of a criminal history background check after hire.

What's in it for YOU:

• Competitive Pay - $23.34 - $24.09/hour (compensation is typically dependent upon experience)

• Comprehensive Benefit Package

• 401(k)

• 401(k) matching

• Dental insurance

• Employee assistance program

• Flexible schedule

• Flexible spending account

• Health insurance

• Health savings account

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Professional development assistance

• Retirement plan

• Tuition reimbursement

• Vision insurance

• Career Training and Development

• Collaborative and engaging team meetings with supervision.

Our work is guided by our Core Values of Trust, Accountability, Respect, Cultural Competence, Person-Centered Care, and Continuous Learning and Growth.

CCN is an Equal Opportunity Employer.