Behavioral Health Outreach Specialist

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Facilitate Screening and Assessments: Conduct SUD screenings using validated tools, receive referrals, and perform evidence-based mental health and substance use disorder assessments. Provide crisis intervention and solution-focused counseling both in and out of health department settings.

Education and Outreach: Deliver education aimed at preventing drug overdose deaths and the spread of communicable diseases, such as Hepatitis C and HIV. Engage in outreach at non-traditional organizations to identify clients in need of services. Distribute naloxone to clients.

Community Partnerships: Build and maintain partnerships with community resources, including Syringe Service Providers (SSPs), Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS), mental health agencies, and treatment providers. Foster linkages with other agencies in the assigned county/counties.

Client Linking and Support: Connect clients to a range of services including community mental health, substance use treatment, harm reduction, primary health services, and recovery support services. Disperse overdose education materials to clients and the public.

Documentation and Record-Keeping: Complete detailed progress notes, track referrals, and enter information accurately into record systems. Maintain records to comply with contract, state, grant, and agency requirements.

Team Participation: Attend team meetings, case conferences, and relevant training sessions to support continuous improvement initiatives and enhance service delivery.

Additional Duties: Perform other related tasks as required to meet the needs of the community and uphold agency standards.

Travel: Travel is required (with mileage reimbursement).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Be at least age eighteen (18) or older

At minimum, hold a high school diploma, General Equivalency Degree (GED) or equivalent.

Preferred: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferred; or equivalent extensive experience related to substance use, at-risk populations, social work, or psychological counseling (including mental health, correctional, or harm reduction).

One year of professional experience is required, but additional qualifying graduate coursework may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis, up to one year.

Applicants with lived experience must have demonstrated self-directed recovery for a minimum of 24 consecutive months.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS:

Begin the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification process (preference to candidates who have already obtained the Peer Recovery Specialist certification).

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

Collaborative team player with experience in peer services and leadership.

Knowledge of addiction recovery processes and recovery-oriented care principles.

Understanding and support for medication-assisted recovery practices.

Ability to develop and sustain relationships with individuals and organizations in the community.

Familiarity with community-based recovery support services in the service area.

Experience providing peer support and building effective relationships.

Strong commitment to treating all individuals with dignity and respect.

Proficient in active listening and asking supportive open-ended questions.

Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries.

Cultural competency and experience with diverse populations.

Strong customer service ethic.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Bilingual is preferred (Spanish and English).

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants for this call may be required to:

Possess a valid driver's license, vehicle, and proof of insurance.

Applicants agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority. All contract employees will undergo a background check prior to their start date. A felony conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant but will necessitate further investigation and review. If any records are identified, the applicant must provide written explanation and/or documentation within seven days.

Submit to a review of their status on the Department of Health's vulnerable persons registry and any abuse registry for any state in which the person has lived in the previous seven (7) years, the TDH Abuse Registry, the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry, and the National Sex Offender Registry. Applicants listed on of these registries will be disqualified.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires occasional moderate physical effort or periods of frequent light physical activity. Regular use of body members to work is expected.