Advocate – Outreach Harm Reduction Specialist
Job Description
Job Title: Advocate – Outreach Harm Reduction Specialist
Dept: Harm Reduction
Status: Non-Exempt
SUMMARY
The Advocate – Outreach Harm Reduction Specialist is charged with increasing community awareness and access to HIV/AIDS and HCV testing and care through harm reduction education, HIV/AIDS prevention or disease management, and linkage to primary care. Through street outreach and community events, the Advocate will engage homeless adults to determine their HIV/AIDS risk and/or status and need for additional services and/or housing.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provide targeted case management; coordinate and implement primary health care, mental health and/or recovery support services with from 12-24 members diagnosed with or at risk of HIV/AIDS
2. Coordinate HIV/HCV testing events every other month
3. Conduct weekly HIV/AIDS groups focusing on education, harm reduction, prevention, and disease management
4. Provide street outreach to homeless individuals with the objective of engaging them, as appropriate, in HIV/AIDS testing, support, harm reduction behaviors, and linkage to primary care
5. Develop effective, trusting relationship with members utilizing motivational interviewing to encourage engagement, with a focus on facilitating independence and procuring needed services and housing
6. Respond to community referrals from sources including, but not limited to, 211, BID, and LAPD
7. Assist in the recruitment, screening, assessment, and enrollment of members into the HOPWA program, including orientation to program policies, community resources, and goals
8. Collaborate with each member to develop an individual service plan and review and update the plan quarterly and upon completion of goals
9. Maintain a current, thorough knowledge of community resources and utilize them to provide comprehensive, wrap-around services to members
10. Work cooperatively and cohesively with other members of the HOPWA and emergency and transitional housing teams, including participation in staff meetings and trainings
11. Maintain up-to-date, accurate, and complete data, progress notes, and files that include all information required according to agency and regulatory service standards
12. Ensure that all member paperwork and data collection is complete and up to date in the agency database
13. Produce monthly and quarterly reports (e.g., HOPWA, HMIS)
14. Complete all documentation of services evidencing a minimum of 65% of work hours in direct member service provision
QUALIFICATIONS
1. High School diploma or GED; Associates or Bachelors degree preferred
2. Minimum of four years’ experience working with homeless or formerly homeless individuals, preferably those living with mental illness, substance addictions, or HIV/AIDS
3. Current, valid California Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record
4. Able to work with minimum supervision
5. Detail oriented with excellent time management, organizational, written, verbal, and computer skills
6. Able to obtain and maintain CPR/1st Aid certification
7. Minimum 30 WPM typing speed preferred
WORK ENVIRONMENT
1. Combination of field and office environment
2. Regularly required to walk or drive to different local sites throughout the day
3. Regularly required to sit, stand, bend and occasionally lift or carry up to 35 pounds
4. May necessitate working in busy and loud environments
5. May be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise and odor
6. May need to bend, stoop, twist , and sit throughout the day
RESPONSIBILITIES COMMON TO ALL AGENCY EMPLOYEES
1. Maintain a safe work environment and confidentiality at all times
2. Be proactive, creative, and flexible in determining, evaluating, researching, and resolving issues
3. Organize and prioritize multiple activities to meet all external and internal deadlines
4. Maintain professional demeanor that reflects positively on the agency
5. Demonstrate respect and courtesy toward others
6. Able to thrive in a work environment emphasizing teamwork and collaboration
7. Respond in a timely manner in all aspects of communication
8. Work with minimum supervision
9. Perform other duties as assigned
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Employee Incumbent Name_____________________________________
Employee Signature__________________________________________
Date__________________________________________________
Chief Executive Officer Name ______________________________________
Chief Executive Officer Signature______________________________
Date______________________________________________
