Outreach Specialist, Homeless Services

Ranked one of Tennessee's top places to work, MHC is a rare and special place where outstanding company culture is intentional. Where clients and associates are treated the same, as equals.

Mental Health Cooperative, Inc. (MHC) was formed in 1993 to serve individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Since then, we have expanded our services to children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders across Middle and East Tennessee.

Our sole purpose is to support and treat those challenged with serious mental illness and poverty. Although based out of Nashville, we serve several communities across middle and East Tennessee with satellite offices in Antioch, Gallatin, Dickson, Columbia, Cleveland, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Cookeville, Chattanooga, and Memphis.

If you are interested in joining a team that is caring, collaborative, innovative and energizing this might be a great place for you

Provide outreach in the community to individuals experiencing homelessness. Support, link, and refer homeless individuals to services and resources as appropriate in their community.

JOB TITLE: Outreach Specialist, Homeless Services (Nashville, TN)

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

SALARY: $38,600 (base pay) with additional incentive for language skills and behavioral health experience. Mileage reimbursement available.

JOB SUMMARY: Provide outreach in the community to individuals experiencing homelessness. Support, link, and refer homeless individuals to services and resources as appropriate in their community.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Able to reliably work independently with minimum structure and supervision.
• Able to approach and effectively work with homeless individuals in all types of settings.
• Provide on-going outreach and in-reach to homeless individuals on the streets, in encampments, shelters, and other living situations.
• Advocate for homeless consumer's needs to be met.
• Refer consumers to appropriate services.
• Follow-up with consumers and other agencies to ensure consumer needs have been addressed.
• Re-engage or re-establish contact with consumers who have not followed-through on necessary services.
• Develop rapport with homeless individuals in order to assess and assist with their needs.
• Research and be familiar with available resources and share resources with appropriate staff.
• Monitor transition of consumers into follow-up/referral services such as case management, housing, financial, medical, etc.
• Respond to consumer's crisis situations as needed by developing plans and interventions through collaboration with case management and Emergency Psychiatric Services.
• Develop and maintain relationships with other homeless agency staff to facilitate teamwork among the homeless service community.
• Provide assistance to shelter staff and homeless case managers to assist with any problems or day-to-day issues.
• Consistently treat consumers and co-workers with respect.
• Work within team environment within the organization.
• Ensure timely and appropriate documentation as required by organization including: notes, activity logs, HMIS, discharge forms, etc.
• Maintain professional and ethical behavior at all times.
• Develop and maintain community and MHC inter-departmental relations including prompt follow-up with all contacts.
• Maintain consumer's confidentiality at all times.
• Coordinate & assist with scheduling and implementation of mobile clinic as needed; including prompt documentation & follow up with CM's, nurses, and providers.
• Transport consumers as needed to assist in linking to resources.
• Participate in community coordinated events, campaigns, and initiatives as deemed appropriate by Program Manager.
• Collaborate with other agencies.
• Attend annual PATH network meeting.
  Attend and participate in community outreach meetings as deemed necessary by Program Manager and/or Supervisor/Team Leader.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, or related social service field or two (2) years of related experience. Internships and volunteer work may be counted for experience.
• Proof of all required credentials shall be submitted upon request of the State.
• Valid Tennessee Driver's License
• Acceptable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• Acceptable Criminal Background Investigation
• Personal Automobile Insurance
• "F" Endorsement
  Cell Phone

ABOUT YOU:

Engagement Focused

• Courteous, friendly, professional
• Focused on consumer and family needs during meetings
• Listens well
• Knowledgeable of services offered by the agency
• Communicates effectively with consumers, families, community partners, and staff
• Ability to connect consumers and families to services based on individual's needs

Recovery Focused

• Documentation reflects quality service
• Tolerance/patience to work through difficult situations
• Side-by-side philosophy
• Individualized care

Time Management/Organization

• Meets deadlines
• Prepared for meetings
• Rapid response in meeting with consumers upon intake completion
• Documentation is entered in a timely manner
• Plans for time off
• Prioritizes well
• Self-Disciplined
• Flexible

Integrity and Trust

• Honesty
• Professionalism
• Dependability
• Strong follow-through

Approachability

• Engagement skills
• Crisis management skills
• Ability to give and accept feedback
• Ability to work with other departments
  Understanding and empathetic

REPORTING TO THIS POSITION:

None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described 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.

• Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
  Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

BENEFITS: Mental Health Cooperative offers a full comprehensive benefit plan for you to participate in. The following products are available:

• Medical Insurance/Prescription Drug Coverage
• Health Savings Account
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Cancer Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• 403b - Retirement Plan
• Calm App for medication and mental health
  Gym membership discounts

Mental Health Cooperative embraces inclusion, diversity and equal opportunity. We're committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Mental Health Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.