Behavioral Health Outreach Specialist - Belltown

Evergreen Treatment Services & REACH•Seattle, WA

13d•$82,500 - $96,500•Onsite

About The Position

The REACH Program of Evergreen Treatment Services works with individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health conditions to help them achieve stability and improved quality of life. The REACH mission is to foster community health and safety through outreach, relationship, healing interventions and systems advocacy for people who use drugs and experience homelessness. REACH provides outreach-based-care coordination, multidisciplinary clinical services, and supports to access and maintain housing. All services are based in principles of harm reduction that offer respect and dignity to individuals moving through stages of change in their lives. REACH incorporates a racial equity lens that includes naming the impact and actively dismantling systems of oppression rooted in White Supremacy, while addressing the root causes perpetuating historical trauma and immense suffering in individuals’ lives. We are committed to building a behavioral health response that diverts people away from jail by rebuilding community and providing services to ensure those presently marginalized aren’t just surviving, but able to thrive. REACH offers an array of services ranging from survival support provided where folks are living outside to linkages to essential resources such as housing, assistance to resolve legal issues, health care, entitlements and easily accessible treatment for substance use disorders and mental health conditions. The REACH team is passionate about creating a hospitable and welcoming environment for all people while providing quality services on an individually tailored basis to our clientele. REACH values diversity of lived experience, is committed to racial equity and social justice, and appreciates hard work, creativity, and a good sense of humor. People who have been impacted by the criminal legal system are encouraged to apply. This dynamic position plays an important role in helping ETS accomplish our mission!

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required, undergraduate degree with coursework in the social service field preferred.
A minimum of three years’ experience in work related to social work or outreach programs.
Experience providing services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness and behavioral health conditions from a harm reduction perspective is essential.
An understanding of racial justice and social equity and a commitment to helping create an equitable environment for all ETS clients and patients as well as fellow staff.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, patients, and staff from a wide variety of ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.
Strong interpersonal skills and verbal/ written communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload, work independently, and complete tasks timely and efficiently.
Punctual, dependable, able to work under pressure, receptive to change, willingness to learn, cooperative approach to problem solving.
Flexible team player, with excellent attention to detail.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion when handling highly sensitive information.
Knowledge of King County resources for behavioral health and substance use treatment preferred.
Ability to set boundaries, resolve conflict and de-escalate issues.
Computer literate, with basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, as well as a high level of initiative in keeping current with technological change.
The employee may be exposed to illicit drug residues and fumes or other bio-hazardous materials when carrying out job functions. There is also potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens. ETS will provide employees with appropriate training to limit the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Policies and procedures are in place addressing each item specifically.
The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear; frequently required to stand, walk, and kneel; occasionally to climb balance, or stoop; rarely to crouch or crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, and peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
Local travel on behalf of the agency is a job requirement.
Use of a program vehicle, for which a valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record is required.

Nice To Haves

undergraduate degree with coursework in the social service field
Knowledge of King County resources for behavioral health and substance use treatment

Responsibilities

Build trusting relationships with clients who are living outside, use drugs, and have mental health needs, emphasizing harm reduction practices.
Conduct brief assessments to understand clients' substance use patterns, mental health status, and social determinants of health.
Assess the nature and severity of clients’ behavioral health needs and match clinical interventions to the individual’s stage of change.
Develop individualized harm reduction plans in collaboration with clients, focusing on reducing risks associated with drug use and unmet mental health needs.
Utilize clinical supervision, psychiatric consultation and peer support for exploring clinical intervention strategies, resource development, self-care and burnout prevention.
Educate clients on safer drug use practices, overdose prevention, and accessing harm reduction resources (e.g., syringe exchange programs, MOUD, co-occurring outpatient programming etc.).
Utilize Motivational Interviewing to provide brief, ongoing counseling and support to help clients set achievable goals related to their mental health, substance use and overall well-being.
Assist clients in navigating social services, healthcare systems, and community resources to address their housing, employment, and healthcare needs. This includes helping clients schedule appointments and accompanying them to the appointments.
Coordinate with external agencies and service providers to ensure comprehensive care and support for clients, including medical detox and inpatient substance use or psychiatric treatment when indicated.
Conduct street outreach to engage with individuals who may be hesitant to access traditional services.
Develop and maintain productive, respectful relationships with community stakeholders and other resources including SUD and mental health treatment providers.
Identify gaps and barriers in available community resources and advocate for systemic changes that will facilitate easier access to care for individuals facing the most barriers.
Participate in regional and local meetings that pertain to initiatives related to addressing the behavioral health needs of people experiencing homelessness or housing instability in King County.
Participate in case conferencing meetings for outreach and other homeless service providers to discuss clients with high barriers to accessing services.
Maintain accurate and confidential client records in compliance with organizational policies and legal requirements.
Collect data and prepare reports on activities per agency and contract requirements.
Participate in program evaluation and quality improvement activities to enhance service delivery and outcomes.
Provide services consistent with ETS/REACH policies and procedures.
Help ETS succeed in carrying out our mission through working together with other staff to transform systems of harm and inequity to create different approaches to improving community health and safety through addressing substance use, mental health and homelessness.
Assist with the organization-wide initiative to reimagine our interconnectedness within our community to overcome the aspects of our society and organizational culture shaped by white supremacy and settler colonialism.

Benefits

Medical and Dental benefits, as well as voluntary Vision benefits.
403b Retirement Plan with employer match starting at 2% at 1 year, and Roth IRA.
Basic Life/ADD/FSA tax saving accounts for health and dependent care.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP), voluntary long-term disability coverage.
Vacation (2 weeks/year, access at 6 months), Sick leave (24 days/year, access at 30 days).
Mental health leave (12 days/year, access at 30 days).
Holidays (12 days/year) and one Floating Holiday per year.
Wellness stipend ($50/month) to use for wellness benefits such as massage, fitness classes, gym membership, meditation, therapy, park passes, etc.
Transportation stipend or pass and mileage and parking reimbursement when traveling for work.
License renewal reimbursement and tuition/training assistance.
Referral bonus ($100/$250) and sign-on bonuses for some positions at certain times.
Longevity awards ($50 - $750 over milestone anniversaries, and for REACH programs).
Discounts for Woodland Park Zoo, Verizon Wireless, and Corporate Shopping.
Professional development: ETS is committed to supporting all staff in fulfilling their continuing education requirements and on their career paths so that ETS is a place to thrive long-term.