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Position Type: 1.0 FTE (40 hours/week)
Department: Client Services
Reports To: Program Director
Bilingual candidates are eligible for an additional $1 Bilingual Differential
Eligible for Full-time and Part-time benefits. See our benefits page at http://hivalliance.org/employment/benefits
Application Instructions: All applicants must submit a complete Job Application, Supplemental Questions, and Resume via the Job Portal to be considered. The Job Portal can be found here https://hivalliance.org/employment/open-positions/
Position Summary
This position conducts outreach with homeless populations as part of our street-based medical outreach team. This position works with clients to develop a plan to address immediate needs and develop a plan that will lead to housing stability and create conditions of self-management. The Outreach Worker will participate on the team of providers including Outreach Workers, an EMT and a Nurse Practitioner, and may be the lead of that team. The role of the Outreach Worker includes meeting with clients on the street, in homeless camps and in rest stops, assisting clients in addressing basic and emergent needs, finding housing placement, and helping clients navigate medical systems and access health care. The Outreach Worker will link the client to specific programs as needed such as health insurance, social security benefits, and other medical, and social assistance programs as well as harm reduction strategies and information and COVID precaution education. Ongoing advocacy and support are provided to the client in order to maintain access to medical assistance programs, and minimize any break in access to medical care. The Outreach Worker facilitates this access through the provision of referrals and additional coordination or advocacy as needed. The Outreach Worker will develop and maintain relationships with key community partners including hospital social work teams, local housing provider, substance use treatment centers and other social service agencies as needed.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
Outreach and Advocacy
Conduct street-based outreach to unhoused clients
Engage unhoused clients to build rapport and strengthen relationship
Provide systems navigation to remove barriers to housing and facilitate access
Empower clients to develop and utilize independent living skills and strategies
Facilitate individual or group vocational and life skills trainings for participants
Deliver Harm Reduction services to participants as appropriate
Deliver basic needs supplies such as homelessness survival supplies, wound care supplies and basic needs supplies
Proactively seek out and develop relationships to encourage positive relations between the agency and other organizations.
Assessment of needs, identification of client strengths and development of individualized housing care plan that addresses barriers to obtaining and maintaining housing
Assist clients in identifying and accessing community programs and other resources
Provide direct one-on-one and phone housing navigation services
Maintain client records in a timely manner
Make appropriate referrals, including follow up and documentation
Advocate with other case managers and other service providers on behalf of our clients
Provide HIV education, including explanation of available services, and partner programs to all clients
Monitoring of service delivery and reassessment of needs
Provide client transportation for client appointments and other treatment needs as needed
Develop and implement care plans that acknowledge trauma, both current and past
Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required
Attends community meetings as assigned
Support
Maintain up-to-date referrals information for clients
Develop and strengthen relationships with service providers and landlords
Maintain up to date information regarding OR Medical Assistance programs
Maintain up-to-date information regarding other benefits and entitlements programs available in Oregon
Participate in required training
Participate in necessary meetings
Assist Supervisor with all necessary reports
Participate in agency teams
Required Qualifications
2 years of experience working with clients who have substance abuse and/or mental health issues, including those experiencing crisis
2 years of client centered experience working with clients who experience housing instability
1 year of experience using trauma informed care and ability to consistently provide trauma-informed care
1 year of recordkeeping experience and working with confidential records
Ability to pass agency criminal background check and drug screen.
Valid Oregon Driver’s license, driving record sufficient to be covered by agency auto insurance policy
Basic to Intermediate proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite and computers skills
TB test (provided by the agency).
Must be flexible in working with populations that have a history of poor follow-through with appointments; persistence is key
Ability to maintain compassionate communication with clients experiencing crisis or expressing frustration preferred
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement: HIV Alliance is a healthcare facility and is requiring all employees to complete their COVID-19 vaccination series by October 18th, 2021. For more information, please visit https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Documents/executiveorders/eo21-29.pdf
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required
Repetitive use of hands such as grasping, twisting/turning of wrists, and finger dexterity necessary to perform various clerical duties, such as typing and writing.
Frequent use of arms such as pushing and pulling to open and close drawers and cabinets
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time at an assigned station
Ability to bend, stand, and reach to be able to transport clients and to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds (harm reduction kits, naloxone kits, testing and education materials)
Continuous clarity of vision at 20 inches or less for processing of paperwork
The physical demands described above here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Working Conditions, Travel and Environment
The duties of this job require individuals be able to work in non-traditional and community-based settings
The duties of this job require regular attendance
Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends
Ability to work 5 days per week for a minimum of 40 hours per week
Travel to other locations as necessary to complete essential job functions
Ability to transport self to job-related events and locations
Supplemental Questions
What makes working as an outreach worker worth all the effort one puts in?
What three qualities do you believe an outreach worker should possess?
What types of outreach programs have you worked for? Which one held more interest for you?
What kinds of experiences have you had in relating with people whose backgrounds are different than your own?
Please elaborate on the experience and education you have that would enable you to be a direct service worker, engaging clients in one-on-one interactions.
HIV Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. HIV Alliance encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status.
HIV Alliance prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, sex, sexual/affectional orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or partnership status, veteran status, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, HIV antibody status or any other factor protected by law or association with any of these classes, in its services, employment, or use of volunteers.
HIV Alliance is a community united to stop the spread of the HIV epidemic. We strive to create an environment where everyone is empowered to reach their full potential. We value the diverse perspectives that each of us brings to this work, understanding the influences of culture, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, sex, sexual/affectional orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or partnership status, veteran status, political affiliation or belief, genetic information and HIV status in shaping our life experiences. We pledge to listen and ask questions before making judgments, and to continue to educate ourselves and each other. We recognize that we will only be successful against the HIV epidemic in a culture where oppression is not tolerated.
