Clinical Engagement Specialist

  • AIDS Foundation of Chicago
  • Chicago
  • Oct 19, 2022
Full time Nonprofit-Social Services

Job Description

The Clinical Engagement Specialist is responsible for providing location and outreach, assessment, engagement and wraparound services for the Road to Health and Housing (R2H) program participants. Utilizing harm reduction, motivational interviewing and trauma informed service delivery approaches, the Clinical Engagement Specialist will provide housing navigation, case management and clinical services and work with Permanent Supportive Housing providers, Heartland Alliance Health and Legal Council for Health Justice to ensure that program participants living with serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders are successfully housed, linked and engaged with needed primary care, behavioral health and disability advocacy services.

The salary range for this role is $40,000 to $45,000.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Services

• Collaborate with outreach teams, housing providers and skilled assessors to effectively provide outreach to and locate clients who have been matched to permanent supportive housing

• Interview and evaluate the behavioral health needs, including mental health and substance use, of homeless individuals to establish program eligibility and desire to engage in services

• Conduct bio-psycho-social assessments using a variety of assessment techniques and instruments

• Screen and assess behavioral health, housing and income needs of program participants

• Provide housing navigation services including gathering documentation of homeless status and disability paperwork relevant to housing program eligibility

• Assist clients with public benefits applications and maintenance of benefits including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security income (SSI)/Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)

• Advocate on Behalf of clients for fair treatment in housing and healthcare

• Coordinate referrals and act as a liaison to Heartland Alliance Health (HAH) primary and behavioral health care including substance use treatment services

• Coordinate referrals and act as a liaison to Legal Council for Health Justice (LCHJ) disability advocacy services

• Attend appointments with clients to ensure engagement in care and/or services

• Provide crisis intervention services to clients as needed

• Coordinate with housing providers, HAH and LCHJ to provide location and outreach services to re-engage clients disconnected from care and/or services

• Provide services to clients using Motivational Interviewing and trauma-informed approaches

• Conduct and document intakes, assessments, discharges, and referrals

• Schedule all client visits and make reminder calls

• Provide assistance with transportation for clients in order to attend appointments

• Organize electronic and hard copy calendar

Program Support

• Implement Road to Health and Housing (R2H) program procedures and clinical forms

• Document assessment information and clinical encounters as required in client files

• Input information in management information systems and on paper charts

• Ensure quality of program files

• Maintain credentials and develop job knowledge by participating in training and educational opportunities, reading professional publications, and participating in professional organizations

• Protect organization’s value and manage risk by keeping information confidential

Other

• Assist with agency-wide activities as directed, including Annual Meeting, AIDS Run & Walk, and others

• Complete yearly trainings around best practices for other homeless service providers in Chicago

• Protect organization's value and manage risk by keeping information confidential

• Perform other duties as assigned

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assignment of duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology or related field AND 2 or more years of Human Service experience at minimum

  • PLUS Valid driver's license and acceptable vehicle insurance
  • PLUS Reliable vehicle transportation

• PLUS Able to work effectively in the field on a daily basis

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or related field AND 2 or more years of Human Service experience at minimum

• LSW/LPC, LCPC/LCSW or equivalent license preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• High attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality

• Maintain accurate work records and access these records as necessary

• Experience working with diverse groups and communities

• Ability to assess client needs to address barriers and ensure care is continuous and comprehensive

• Understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction

• Ability to conduct client visits at their homes, across the Chicagoland area

• Web-based systems knowledge (e.g., PC-based tools, Microsoft applications, Web-based applications)

• Basic knowledge of HIV infection and related chronic diseases

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Tasks involve the ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stand, walk and grasp. Tasks also involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (20-25 pounds.) Tasks may also involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and on the telephone

• Tasks require visual ability to read and complete written and typed correspondence and to operate/drive a motor vehicle

• For a portion of the work, the physical demands are representative of those found in a general office environment

• Work environment is occasionally unpredictable (i.e., hostile and/or clients and individuals under the influence of substances). Frequent travel is required throughout the Chicago metro area. May be subject to inclement weather when traveling.

 

Occupations

Social Service

URL

https://aids-foundation-chicago.breezy.hr/p/f6f48cf35e11-clinical-engagement-specialist?state=published

Salary

$40,000 to $45,000.