PATH Outreach Worker

JOB PURPOSE AND REPORTING STRUCTURE

Under the direction of the Director of Community Services, the Outreach Worker outreaches and enrolls consumers that are homeless and have suspected mental illness. The Outreach Worker assists consumers to seek psychiatric and/or substance abuse treatment, to secure income, and find housing, in accordance with agency policies and procedures.

• Outreach consumers in the community and those referred from other community organizations. Meet consumers where they are, which includes parks, meal sites, shelters, clinics, crisis respite houses, and others.
• Interview consumers to assess homelessness or possible mental illness, gather information on current treatment providers, ensure a release is signed, and send records. If the consumer lacks a current provider, refer for psychiatric treatment at Recovery Behavioral Health Clinic.
• If eligible for PATH, concentrate on engaging with consumers. Supporting counseling, symptom assessment, and symptom management are key to long‑term success.
• Interview consumers to complete assessments and crisis plans, including mental status exams. Develop care plans, provide ongoing linkage, follow‑up, and referrals for services and coordination.
• Assess the need for psychiatric treatment, including substance abuse and trauma history.
• Intervene to place consumers into treatment for identified issues.
• Assist and refer consumers to apply for SSI/SSDI benefits through the SOAR model, and help find housing by providing technical assistance for rent or security deposit and applying for housing subsidies.
• Provide crisis linkage and follow‑up, assisting with medical treatment, legal assistance, employment, training, education, and development of social support systems. Offer supportive contacts and guide consumers through the community.
• Maintain daily consumer logs and enter information weekly into Wisconsin Servicepoint. Enroll eligible consumers into PATH and create Intake and Eligibility Forms for all PATH enrollees.
• Transfer consumers when services are no longer appropriate or when additional services are needed. Refer to CARS, Family Care, Adult services, Wiser Choice, and/or OCHC AODA case management services through the SHARE program as appropriate.
• Attend staffings for shelter placement and update the team when a consumer stays at Safe Haven or THP.
• Coordinate transportation for consumers to and from appointments, including medical and mental health visits.
• Attend and actively participate in departmental meetings and meetings with other service agencies.
• Coordinate or schedule medical examinations or psychiatric evaluations through OCHC Clinics or establish relationships with organizations that can perform examinations for disability determination.
• Collaborate with and make referrals to other organizations to ensure favorable outcomes for consumers and beneficiaries.
• Demonstrate experience in jobs requiring organizational skills, administrative work, writing, and editing.
• Comprehend instructions and understand medical/psychiatric terminology to screen claimants for program appropriateness.
• Act as a resource to representatives from other community‑based organizations, ensuring this program is recognized as a resource for eligible consumers.

• Complete special projects as assigned.
• Maintain technical competency and remain current in technology and industry changes. Perform accurate data entry into the Wisconsin Servicepoint system.
• Attend all trainings and workshops scheduled that relate specifically to the PATH Program.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with consumers and agency employees.
• Manage records to ensure completion of all required paperwork, documents, etc.
• Ensure compliance with all safety and work rules and regulations, and maintain departmental housekeeping standards.
• Required early morning Friday shift: 3 am to 11 am.

• Recognize medical and psychiatric disabilities in claimants, aligned with standards for determining SSI eligibility.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of one year of related experience.
• High School Diploma or GED and a minimum of three years of related experience.

Outreach Community Health Centers, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.