Metro Line Substance Abuse Specialist - (5403)

PATH (People Assisting the Homeless)

8h • $25 - $30 • Onsite

About The Position

PATH is seeking candidates passionate about helping others make a positive change in their lives to join our Metro Rail Outreach Services team as the Substance Abuse Specialist at the Union Station location. As part of the Metro Rail Outreach team the Substance Abuse Specialist will participate in daily street outreach to homeless clients on the MTA (Metro) system in the metropolitan Los Angeles region. Using the PATH Street Outreach Integrated Care approach, the Substance Abuse Specialist will provide outreach and engagement services to conduct interventions to quickly assess and link clients to long-term housing, health, mental health and other supportive services. The Substance Abuse Specialist may attend community meetings and develop relationships with local businesses, organizations, and service providers. Substance Abuse Specialist will refer clients for necessary services and offer transportation assistance.

Requirements

• Analytical Skills and Attention to Detail: Gather and interpret data, identifying trends, patterns, and insights to inform decision-making. Ability to consistently produce high-quality work, ensuring accuracy and precision in all tasks.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Work effectively with others, seeking out and building positive working relationships with colleagues, participants, and stakeholders. Work effectively with others, contributing to team goals and recognizing the strengths and contributions of others.
• Communication: Convey information clearly and effectively (both verbally and in writing) to individuals and groups in a manner that informs, engages and maintains their attention.
• Creativity and Initiative: Take action and make decisions without being prompted, demonstrating a proactive approach to work and a willingness to take on additional responsibilities. Think outside the box, generating innovative solutions to problems or challenges.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Analyze and evaluate information and situations, identify key issues, consider alternatives, and make logical decisions based on sound reasoning that will achieve the desired outcome.
• Ethics and Boundaries: Maintain ethical and professional standards, demonstrating honesty, integrity, and a commitment to doing the right thing in all situations while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Have employment eligibility verification
• Have or be able and willing to obtain CPR/First Aid training
• Successfully complete the following as a condition of hire: Tuberculosis Test, Background Screening, Drug Test
• Have reliable transportation
• A valid driver’s license
• Proof of insurance and ownership for personal vehicles used during work duties
• The ability to qualify for PATH's insurance coverage
• Two (2) years required working directly with substance use services

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
• Certification in substance use counseling (e.g., CATC, SUDCC, CADC).

Responsibilities

• Conduct nightly outreach at Metro stations, bus stops, and aboard trains to develop relationships and build rapport with clients in order to assist them with finding a home.
• Conduct VI-SPDAT (Vulnerability Index- Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool) assessments for all new clients in order to connect them to proper intervention and services and document results in the HMIS.
• Conduct substance abuse assessments and provide referrals as necessary.
• Provide street-based case management services that are designed to prepare and connect homeless clients to long-term supportive services and achieve their goals including: Assistance with the establishment of personal benefits including (GR, SSI, TANF, Veterans Pension, etc.). Assistance with obtaining various forms of identification, including birth certificates and social security cards. Provision of employment assistance, housing referrals, and health related assistance, as identified on the ISP. Assistance with applications for supportive and subsidized housing and prospect potential locations for affordable rental housing. Provision of and/or assistance with connection and access to any other services that assist with improving quality of life, such as mental and physical health services.
• Meet with established clients on a regular basis to review, evaluate, and support goal completion.
• Respond within specific contract timeframes to requests for street outreach services and send follow-up information to the requestor and the supervisor.
• Collaborate with community substance abuse and mental health providers to ensure seamless referral services.
• Work with local law enforcement and interim service providers to ensure a smooth transition from street living to interim housing.
• Provide ongoing information, referrals, linkages, and advocacy for all other identified needs.
• Creatively use and develop community resources to broker and link clients to services.
• Provide a high-quality customer service environment for all clients.
• Participate in staff meetings and training as assigned by the supervisor.
• Complete all necessary paperwork to track client progress (daily logs, ISP, etc.).
• Maintain documentation standards as set forth by the program contract and PATH policies.
• Complete paperwork on each face to face and telephone contact with the client, or with any collateral contact, by close-of-business on the next working day.
• Ensure all program data is accurate and entered into the appropriate program documentation system as required contractually (i.e. HMIS, internal spreadsheet, CES, etc.)
• Prepare case-related reports, including but not limited to, demographics, outcomes, successes and challenges.
• Generate client data for reporting.
• Complete follow-up and retention services and provide back-up documentation in client file.

Benefits

• In addition to a rewarding work environment, we offer our employees a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision coverage, vacation and sick time, paid holidays, and a retirement plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees