Kitsap Mental Health Services Careers

Description

Outreach and Engagement Specialist
Hiring Range: $24.94 - $30.55 

• Comprehensive and generous health, dental and vision benefits
• Up to 19 days of PTO, 2 mental health days and 10 paid holidays your first year (pro-rated for part-time)
• Company-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability 
• Student loan payment assistance and extensive training
• An incredible team approach that is dynamic and collaborative

General Summary of Duties:  The Outreach and Engagement Specialist functions as a member of a team of Engagement specialists, as well as part of a multidisciplinary department. The Engagement Specialist will demonstrate the clinical skill and experience to engage clients and assist these clients with navigating entry and re-entry into services at KMHS. This person would also provide education, referral information, consultation to families, and crisis intervention services to clients who are in the engagement of services. This person and this team will provide services to clients who cannot/are unable to participate in services in a traditional office based model and who are not a good fit for other levels of care (such as FACT/PACT/New Journeys). The person in this position strives to live into the KMHS values of Equity, Excellence, Empowerment and Integrity.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Major Responsibilities/Tasks:

• Carry a caseload of clients needing outreach/engagement strategies as primary intervention for participating in outpatient services. Conduct telephonic or in person outreach to clients who are un-engaged in order to assist in addressing any barriers that may exist for engagement.
• Provide supportive pre-engagement and engagement activities, through phone calls or in person, including problem-solving, client education, referral to resources, reminders and outreach.
• Organize and facilitate the Connections Orientation (new client orientation) and be the point person for assignment and follow up for those who miss the orientation. Assist clients reducing any barriers to attending orientation or their first appointments.
• If a client does not come to their first session with assigned provider, Engagement Specialist will be assigned this client do telephonic or physical outreach to attempt to re-engage client into services.
• If agency/team shifts to not facilitating the Connections Orientation, Engagement specialist will be the point person for assignment for any client that does not show up for their initial treatment planning session and will attempt engagement activities to address any barriers to treatment.
• Provide initial engagement outreach, including motivational counseling, problem solving, patient advocacy, education, referral to resources, reminder calls and outreach, to encourage and facilitate patient to connect with behavioral health treatment services. Arrange for interpreters or signers as needed.
• Act as a community liaison between KMHS and other community services for the purposes of engaging clients in services.
• Assist with setting up paratransit or educating on the Kitsap transit system in order to assist clients with removing transportation barriers for engagement.
• Assists in monitoring clients on alternative scheduling and attempting to assist them in re-engaging in services. Clients on alternative scheduling will be assigned to the Engagement Specialist.
• Coordinate with Population Health team in response to needs for engagement with clients on the high utilizer list/coming out of the hospital. If a client cannot be seen by their primary clinician within 7 calendar days of discharge from a psychiatric hospital (hospital for psychiatric reasons), then the Engagement Specialist can be scheduled to see them for a one time post discharge session.
• Monitor and assess when a client is ready for more consistent and ongoing appointments and coordinate the transfer to a new provider.
• Collaborate with client in developing, writing, implementing, evaluating, and revising overall treatment goals and plans. Primary interventions will likely be engagement activities, motivational interviewing and address barriers to consistent treatment.
• Educate and support clients’ families and advocate for clients’ rights and preferences.  Consult with families and community agencies such as DSHS, court systems, housing authorities, etc., to maintain coordination in the treatment process.
• Provide crisis intervention counseling and coordinate with Designated Crisis Responders/crisis services when appropriate during engagement activities. Outreach to CTC/AIU/Keller/Emergency Departments in order to engage clients during and after a mental health crisis. Help client identify goals for increasing stability and increasing engagement in outpatient services. 
• Provide triage services for clients who walk-in to the agency needing to be seen and who cannot be seen by their primary provider or anyone else on their primary team.
• Document client progress to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established policies and procedures.
• Participate in treatment team meetings as appropriate to review client engagement and need for re-engagement.
• In addition to the above, any other responsibilities appropriate to the position and not specifically listed in the job description.

Minimum Qualifications:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, social services, or behavioral health field.

EXPERIENCE: Entry 1 year of experience required.

LICENSURE: Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration.

An essential and required task of this position is driving clients in a personal vehicle on behalf of the agency; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in the state of Washington, and have reliable, insured transportation.

Preferred Qualifications:

EXPERIENCE: Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience)

Experience in co-occurring disorders treatment, individual and group therapy, vocational services, or substance abuse treatment.

Performance Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE:

1. Maintain a working knowledge of current trends in community mental health, including health care reform and automation of job tasks using computer technology.
2. Maintain a working knowledge of mental health rehabilitation standards.

SKILLS:

1. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other employees, clients, organizations, and the public.
2. Communication ‑ Communicates clearly and concisely.
3. Computer skills ‑ Ability to operate a personal computer, fax machine, printer, and copier proficiently.

ABILITIES:

1. Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed productivity standards.
2. Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively as a team member.
3. Able to assist in building positive working relationships with staff of all agency departments.

Equipment Operated: Standard office equipment including computers, fax machines, copiers, printers, telephones, etc. Ability to drive a car (with appropriate license and insurance) is also required in order to do outreach services.

Work Environment: Frequent mobility and/or sitting required for extended periods.

Mental/Physical Requirements: While performing the job duties, the employee is required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with arms, talk, or listen.  Peripheral vision is also required for this position.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Our recruitment processes are designed to prevent discrimination against our people regardless of gender identity or orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any aspect which makes someone unique.