Outreach Worker/Crisis Stabilization Support

Job Summary:

The Outreach Worker works in a variety of ways to provide one-on-one support and services that value diversity, are inclusive, and promote cultural sensitivity to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. This position works collaboratively as a member of a team that includes the consumer, Emergency Services Unit staff, Journey Community Programs, and other community treaters.

Services provided by this position include medication delivery and observation, transportation of consumers, social support, and providing support and supervision of consumers served by JMHC variety of programs. This person must be able to provide companionship and support to people in distress, model appropriate social interactions and coping skills, assist consumers in identifying natural support systems and help with linking consumers to ongoing community-based resources.

This position on the emergency services team involves mobility throughout the community and working a set schedule of 8:00am – 4:30pm Monday - Friday. The Outreach Worker reports directly to the Crisis Stabilization Manager with overall program supervision provided by the Director. The Crisis Stabilization Outreach Worker is expected to complete 1,352 service hours within a program calendar year.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Journey Mental Health Center upholds a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) that guides our daily operations. We foster a caring community for all individuals to feel a sense of belonging. We prioritize delivering services that are centered around ensuring fairness and inclusivity for all. We are dedicated to demonstrating courage and initiative within our agency and community to actively dismantle structural oppression for all affected communities. 

Duties/Responsibilities:

A. Community Support for Individuals in Crisis:

1. Provide culturally sensitive community support services in whatever way the individual and his or her treaters deem necessary and appropriate in order to assist them in getting through a difficult time, with special emphasis on consumer involvement and empowerment. The nature of these duties depends on the nature of the crisis and what the individual requires and shall be developed in concert with the consumer and treatment team. Potential responsibilities may include:

• Helping a consumer get engaged into a treatment program or organization
• Aiding with transportation or helping consumer learn the bus system or alternative transportation options
• Assisting consumer with locating food pantries or other community resources
• Spending time assisting consumer with learning healthy leisure skills
• Completing compliance checks for community members under Chapter 51 Commitments or Settlement Agreements

B. Additional Duties

1. Participate in scheduled training and in-services.
2. Document contacts in a timely manner.
3. Keep up to date with required paperwork and reporting.
4. Assume an active role that promotes JMHC’s and the program’s mission, vision and values.

Experience

ESSENTIAL

• Experience with and knowledge of mental health, whether through formal training and education, or life experiences
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and different world views
• Demonstrated ability and skill to work with consumers in a validating, empowering and non-judgmental manner
• Must be available to work flexible hours
• Possession of a valid driver's license, a favorable driving record, adequate insurance (per WI law) and access to an automobile
• All potential candidates will need to successfully pass the Background Information Disclosure (BID) for entity employees and contractors.  Wisconsin’s Caregivers Law requires background, and criminal checks are required by the Department of Health Services and Wis. Stat. 50.065(6)(c) and Wis. Admin Code § DHS 12.05(4)

PREFERRED

• Knowledge and skill in providing cross-cultural services

Physical Requirements

• Requires driving, sitting, standing, light lifting, bending, and reaching, and the ability to use and operate standard office equipment, including computer, calculator, phone, printer, cell phone, use of Electronic Health Records, etc.

Working Conditions

• May require evening or weekend hours depending on program and consumer’s needs.

Journey Mental Health Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.