Community Access Outreach Specialist/Men's Health Coordinator

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program•Boston, MA

47d•$24 - $38•Onsite

About The Position

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) is committed to ensuring equitable, dignified access to high-quality health care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. A significant portion of BHCHP patients experience substance use disorder (SUD), and drug overdose remains a leading cause of death. BHCHP is continuously strengthening its care model to better meet the needs of individuals actively using substances by expanding access to treatment and reducing the health risks associated with drug use. Community Care in Reach (CCiR) is a mobile health initiative that partners with primary care, addiction medicine, and public health organizations to engage individuals experiencing homelessness and/or substance use who are not well connected to care. Through street-based outreach and mobile services, CCiR provides low-threshold access to medical care, behavioral health support, and risk reduction services. The Community Access Outreach Specialist / Men’s Health Coordinator is a key member of a multidisciplinary team, responsible for delivering trauma-informed outreach, care navigation, and linkage services. This role centers on engaging individuals who use drugs and experience homelessness, with a focused responsibility on advancing men’s health engagement and access. The Specialist works to reduce risks associated with drug use, including overdose, HIV, Hepatitis C, STIs, and other health complications, while supporting connections to medical care, behavioral health, and critical social services.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent experience (minimum two years in human services)
Experience working with individuals with substance use disorder required
Strong commitment to risk reduction principles and trauma-informed care
Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, incarceration, or violence preferred
Prior street outreach experience strongly preferred
Knowledge of community resources, particularly addiction and social services, preferred
Commitment to culturally responsive, equitable care across diverse populations
Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Ability to work both independently and within a team-based environment
Lived experience is welcomed and valued

Responsibilities

Conduct street-based outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness and/or substance use, particularly in the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard area, including the Engagement Center and Comfort Station
Build trusting relationships through nonjudgmental, trauma-informed engagement strategies
Assess participant needs and provide supported referrals, including patient accompaniment when appropriate
Connect individuals to primary care, behavioral health services, substance use treatment, housing resources, benefits, and other social services
Maintain ongoing relationships with patients to support continuity of care and care plan follow-up
Provide education on risk reduction strategies, including overdose prevention, safer use practices, vein care, wound care, and infection prevention
Distribute Narcan kits and provide overdose prevention education
Provide education on HIV, Hepatitis C, and STI prevention and transmission
Assist clinical staff during overdose response situations
Serve as a resource to staff and participants on risk reduction strategies and best practices
Lead targeted outreach and engagement efforts focused on men experiencing homelessness, particularly those less likely to engage in traditional healthcare settings
Provide education on men’s health topics including sexual and reproductive health, HIV/STI prevention, and preventative care
Support access to routine screenings and chronic disease management, including blood pressure monitoring and age-appropriate screenings (e.g., prostate health)
Engage men in conversations around mental health, substance use, and stigma using trauma-informed and risk reduction approaches
Ensure services are inclusive of cisgender and transgender men through culturally competent and gender-affirming care practices
Collaborate with internal teams and community partners to strengthen men’s health programming and address service gaps
Assist in developing outreach strategies, educational materials, and programming focused on men’s health
Track engagement and outcomes related to men’s health services to support program development and quality improvement
Drive the CCiR van to and from outreach sites for a minimum of two sessions per week
Manage and restock supplies prior to each shift, including inventory tracking and compliance with DPH requirements
Provide medical case management and assist patients with navigating MassHealth, Social Security, and Department of Transitional Assistance services
Review healthcare maintenance needs, including immunizations and follow-up care
Document all case management and outreach activities in the electronic health record (Epic)
Develop outreach and educational materials to support patient engagement and health promotion
Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and BHCHP policies
Obtain phlebotomy competency within 60 days of training and provide phlebotomy services as needed
Support daily operations at outreach sites, including ensuring availability of supplies, food, and resources
Collaborate with partner organizations, including the Boston Public Health Commission
Participate in team meetings, outreach debriefings, incident reviews, and trainings
Provide coverage for other BHCHP programs, including SPOT and additional risk reduction services as needed