Outreach and Engagement Specialist

Care For the Homeless•New York City, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Outreach and Engagement Specialist connects individuals experiencing homelessness with Care For the Homeless (CFH) health services, supporting both first-time clients and people returning to care. As part of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) team, the specialist conducts outreach and in-reach at shelters, soup kitchens, supportive housing programs, CFH-hosted sites, and other community settings. The role builds relationships with community partners and clinic staff, promotes CFH services, and helps clients with registration, appointment scheduling, care coordination, and follow-up. In collaboration with Street Health, the specialist connects people reached through street-based outreach with appropriate CFH services and supports continuity of care. The position is based at 91 East Broadway in New York City, with a Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. schedule and onsite and in-field work. It requires regular travel by subway or bus throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. Work locations may include CFH health centers, shelters, supportive housing agencies, community settings, and street-based outreach locations.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Minimum 1–2 years of experience providing outreach, case management, patient navigation, community health, or social services support to vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness.
Compassion, respect, and understanding for people experiencing homelessness.
Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with others.
Strong interpersonal skills and clear oral and written communication.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, organize responsibilities, and complete follow-up promptly.
Proficiency in MS Outlook.
Flexibility and ability to work effectively in nontraditional environments, including community and street-based settings.

Nice To Haves

Associate's or bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, Psychology, or a related field.
Experience working in shelters, supportive housing programs, healthcare settings, street outreach programs, or community-based organizations.

Responsibilities

Conduct outreach to people experiencing homelessness at shelters, soup kitchens, supportive housing programs, on the streets, and in communities surrounding CFH sites, connecting potential clients and clients needing reintegration to CFH health services.
Collaborate with the Street Health team to coordinate street-based outreach, identify people who may benefit from services, facilitate connections to CFH clinics and appropriate care, and support follow-up and continuity of care.
Build and maintain working relationships with community programs, shelter and supportive housing staff, and other community partners to strengthen coordination of care.
Conduct in-reach at CFH-hosted sites to engage clients in care and encourage re-engagement when needed.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with CFH clinic staff at assigned outreach sites and communicate barriers affecting clients’ access to or continuity of care.
Promote CFH medical, dental, mental health, substance use, podiatry, and insurance enrollment services.
Educate clients about health screenings, influenza vaccination, HIV testing, treatment adherence, and health insurance enrollment under the Affordable Care Act.
Escort clients to CFH clinics and community providers as needed, and assist with registration, appointment scheduling, and navigation of services.
Assist clients with registering for and using the Patient Portal.
Provide appointment reminder calls, letters, and other follow-up to support appointment adherence; accompany clients to follow-up appointments as needed.
Document client encounters in writing through the required activity log and maintain timely, accurate documentation.
Attend and participate in mandatory meetings, training, and interdisciplinary team activities.
Use Kronos to accurately record hours worked.
Participate in Mobile Street Health Outreach as designated by the supervisor.
Perform other related duties as assigned.