COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST jobs in Santa Maria, CA

Job Title:                Behavioral Health Outreach Worker     

Department:           Behavioral Health

Reports To:            Mental Health Outreach Coordinator

FLSA Status:         Non-Exempt

Wage Range that the Company Expects to Pay:   $20.50 - $24.92 per hour

SUMMARY 

Under the direct supervision of the Mental Health Outreach Coordinator, the Behavioral Health (BH) Outreach Worker works as part of a team to ensure efficient and quality patient care. Performs paraprofessional education consisting of early prevention and intervention of mental health issues for underserved persons at risk of serious mental illness and their families in the Latino and Oaxaca populations.

It is the primary purpose of CHCCC to provide the highest quality of healthcare possible to the patient population it serves. Such a level of quality depends ultimately on the staff’s desire and ability to work together, individually and as a team. The employee is expected to be professional, punctual, maintain regular attendance, cooperative, organized, and enthusiastic at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned with or without notice.

Conducts outreach and education activities including educational workshops, discussion groups and support groups that address individual and family member mental health as well as various wellness topics. With emphasis on providing outreach and education to hard-to-reach segments of the Spanish/Mixtec-speaking, low-income, migrant-farm worker community.

Provides culturally appropriate training sessions for community members, community leaders and to service providers that focus on the identification of early signs of mental illness and how to link the individual or family member to local mental health or other appropriate resources. The BH Outreach Worker will participate in, coordinate, and/or attend community events such as health fairs and community forums, as a representative of CHCCC.

Provides culturally and linguistically sensitive linkage and referral to services. The BH Outreach Worker will act as a client advocate and liaison between the client/family and community service agencies.

Cultural Wellness Practices will be incorporated into outreach and education as well as consultation and early intervention activities.  Wellness activities shall be culture-specific offered in the identified communities through healing and wellness sessions. The BH Outreach Worker will provide brief interventions, referrals to local resources and culturally appropriate services. The BH Outreach Worker shall provide activities that enhance resilience and protective factors in individuals at risk for serious mental illness or those who have been exposed to trauma.

Works collaboratively with local leaders to obtain information on community needs and concerns. The leaders may include public health workers, childcare, staff, teachers, representatives of faith based/spiritual communities and support group facilitators from the target population.

Provides written and oral communication in the target population's identified language, as applicable. Attendance to regular staff meetings, trainings, and other meetings as requested.

Provides trainings annually to community organizations, church or faith based organizations, or other community groups.

Participates with collaborative partners to ensure that information is disseminated throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.

Maintains and completes weekly statistics of patients served for reporting purposes.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served (infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults or geriatrics).

Must demonstrate the ability to complete tasks and documentation in the Electronic Health Record (where applicable).

Demonstrates knowledge of domestic violence, child and dependent abuse protocols.

Demonstrates adherence to and observes all safety policies and procedures, inclusive of infection control rules and regulations.

Maintains and adheres to HIPAA patient and employee confidentiality, and privileged communications (patient, employee, and corporation).

Other duties not directly stated here will be added based on department contract requirements.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or GED equivalent required.

Must be familiar with the culture of the target population and have a relationship with the community they serve. Previous experience working with families and individuals in a community setting, experience in health education and health promotion, connection with service providers, strong communication skills, and experience in providing training to groups and/or individuals.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Bilingual in English and Spanish and/or Mixtec is highly desirable. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply sound judgment in understanding to carry out instructions in written or oral form. Ability to make appropriate job decisions following standard office policies and past precedents. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Experience with search engine software, word processing, spreadsheets, email, and keyboarding required. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suites.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

Possession of current, valid, unrestricted California Driver's License (Class C) is required. Current CPR (BLS) card through American Heart Association is required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Required to pass a criminal history background check and drug screen upon hire. Annual health examination; annual Tuberculosis skin test clearance or chest x-ray; proof of immunity to MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B; proof of Tdap vaccine; during current flu season, must provide proof of influenza vaccine or a signed declination form. If declined, a flu mask is mandatory during flu season. Health screening requirements are subject to change based on CDC recommendations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

Must be willing to have a flexible work schedule that may include evenings/weekends, and travel as needed.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.