Job Details

Admissions Outreach Specialist
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Admissions Outreach Specialist will be part of a team continuing an outreach process that provides people with critical access to substance use treatment. This position serves as an important bridge between the community, acute care settings (emergency rooms, psychiatric units) and substance use treatment services. Hours of work are flexible to meet program needs with some evenings and weekends. Using skills in trauma informed care and motivational interviewing the Outreach Specialist is responsible for engaging with patients experiencing complex psychosocial issues who are high utilizers of other medical services.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Respond to requests for outreach to individuals in hospitals, other agencies, and in the community.
• Meet with patients in emergency rooms, psychiatric hospitals and other community settings to evaluate for substance use treatment, including withdrawal management, residential, and outpatient services at Fora (and in some circumstances, elsewhere).
• Perform brief screening or assessments when appropriate. When needed, conduct full ASAM assessment if required for access to critical services.
• Ensure that patients get timely access to appropriate services by promoting and modeling advocacy skills.
• Help coordinate patient transportation and accompaniment as needed.
• Coordinate with community alcohol and drug treatment providers, including withdrawal management, residential, outpatient, peers etc.
• Develop health care plans and goals based on identified needs in collaboration with medical and other staff.
• Demonstrate a person-centered approach in working with patients by respecting their self-determination and autonomy and exploring their ambivalence by utilizing motivational interviewing principles.
• Facilitate communication and positive relationships building between patients and medical providers.
• Actively work to reduce social, cultural, racial, linguistic and educational barriers in order to develop a culturally competent and creative action plan with patients.
• Actively participate as a member of a health care team by providing input and developing creative strategies to address health and psychosocial issues. Consult with clinical supervisor in complex cases exceeding area of expertise.
• Strongly adhere to trauma informed care principles and educate providers on this model as appropriate.
• Participate in agency and care team meetings to coordinate outreach activities as needed.
• Provide ongoing education and information about Fora Health services and admissions criteria, including how to access services, eligibility and admission criteria.
• Participate in community education events and presentations relating to Fora services and access to care.
• Continue existing community partnerships and actively engage in developing new ones.
• Coordinate same day and scheduled referrals as primary contact for accessing withdrawal management services at Fora; including screening patients for eligibility, working directly with referents and communicating with medical staff in real time.

Professional and Ethical Responsibilities

• Demonstrate ethical behaviors by adhering to established professional codes of ethics that define the professional context within which the counselor works, in order to maintain professional standards and safeguard the client.
• Adhere to Federal and State laws and agency policies and procedures regarding the treatment of substance use disorders.
• Recognize the importance of individual differences that influence client behavior and apply this understanding to clinical practice.
• Participate in ongoing supervision and consultation.
• Maintain (or complete) current addiction counselor certification or QMHP privileging.
• Maintains healthy boundaries with clients and their families.

ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Additional trainings to be completed as assigned in a timely manner.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS

• This position has no supervisory duties.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree (in behavioral health strongly preferred)
• CADC-R (must obtain CADC I within 6 months of hire) or CADC I with CADC II or III preferred.
• Minimum two years' experience serving the addiction needs of adults and families. Preferably conducting outreach and multi-agency collaboration.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Demonstrated effectiveness in presenting ideas, transmitting information, or convey concepts to individuals or groups of people of varying educational, cultural and experiential levels.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with patients, the community, and other staff members.
• Ability to work collaboratively with patients, other treatment program staff, team members, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times.
• Written and organizational skills to complete all required documentation.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• If has a history of a substance use disorder, must have a minimum of two years abstinence.
• Position will require some amount of regular connection to work via cell phone to answer questions and respond to internal and external contacts.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Ability to pass DHS criminal background and DMV checks.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position generally works in an indoor office environment with frequent travel between sites or to special events.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases which can encompass a variety of illnesses and infections, including COVID, tuberculosis, Hepatitis A, B, and C, and HIV.
• Possible exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized, disabled or emotionally disturbed adults, adolescents, and families.
• Exposure to potentially hazardous cleaning chemicals, personal protective equipment provided.

INTERNAL CANDIDATES: click here to apply via the employee intranet site

ABOUT FORA HEALTH

Looking for a meaningful career? At Fora Health, we employ a team of passionate, diverse and caring people who are committed to carrying out our mission to provide treatment, care and advocacy for all who are affected by substance use disorder. We are seeking dedicated individuals to join our experienced team of professionals in the fight to overcome the stigma of addiction and mental health. Come join one of Oregon's largest and most reputable providers of substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health treatment for adults!

Fora Health is committed to providing a wide range of accessible, coordinated, and well-integrated services that benefit the community and support our clients to recover and to maintain recovery from addiction. To maintain an organizational culture which supports Fora's mission, each employee will, at a minimum:

1. Have knowledge of substance use disorders.
2. Recognize the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment and recovery process.
3. Respect the diversity and uniqueness of all people.
4. Recognize that a healthy work environment is maintained through the practice of mutual respect and healthy self-care.
5. Uphold the highest standard of customer service to clients, referents, and all community partners.

BENEFITS

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Comprehensive dental and vision insurance
• Employer-paid basic life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Additional voluntary insurance (short-term disability insurance, supplemental group life insurance, accident & critical illness insurance, and pet insurance)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare, dependent care and transportation costs
• 401K plan with Employer Matching up to 6%
• 4 weeks paid vacation, one floating holiday & sick leave
• 10 observed holidays, paid bereavement and paid jury duty days
• Flexible schedules
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted 24 Hour Fitness membership from $6.99/month
• One free employee meal on days worked at our Cherry Blossom location
• Online education tools for CEUs
• Critical shift compensation up to double hourly pay rate and shift premiums for certain positions
• Employee referral bonus
• Education grant program reimbursement for continuing education expenses after 90 days of employment
• Loan forgiveness for eligible medical and clinic positions
• Free parking at our two facilities

Employees may be eligible for education grants:

• National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
• NURSE Corps
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Fora Health is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Fora Health encourages applications from those who are in recovery. Please note that we require individuals in recovery to certify that they have at least six months of sobriety for non-patient facing positions or two years of continuous sobriety for patient-facing positions upon hire.

Fora Health is a second chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Fora Health conducts a background check for all positions upon offer of employment. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of certain jobs may require us to take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.