As an Outreach Worker, you will provide high quality, direct case management services to the individuals Vinfen supports. Your support and instruction will help in developing and enhancing activities of daily living, achieve goals, overcome barriers, and become more independent. In your role you will work together with the people we serve, their families, friends, employers, and other support staff to transform their lives.

On a typical day, you may implement Individual Service Plans (ISP), provide transportation, and perform general housekeeping.

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed
below:

• Implement service plan interventions with persons served.
• Provide direct training and support (instruction, assistance, modeling and reinforcement) for persons served in developing and enhancing their daily living skills, i.e. Symptom, medication and money management, cooking, cleaning, recreational activities, personal hygiene, social and interpersonal skills, etc.
• Maintain and update documentation in individual and program records.
• Act as an advocate for persons served.
• Communicate verbally and in writing with co-workers, supervisors, and other service providers, including funding agency personnel.
• Escort persons served into the community using public transportation, company or personal vehicle, as necessary.
• Monitor status of persons served, provides crisis intervention and counseling, as needed.
• Report incidents to on-call manager or supervisor, as required.
• Perform housecleaning tasks, as assigned.
• Attend in-service trainings and staff meetings, as assigned.
• Provide coverage for the program as required, including overnights, days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Adhere to established policies and procedures of the program and company as well as internal and external standards and regulations.
• Store, administer, document, and dispose of medication for persons served consistent with MAC requirements, funding source regulations, and Company policy. May assume on-call duties in some programs.
• May provide outreach to persons served living in their own homes.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues
• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles
• Participatory skills, collaborative skills, teaching skills
• Knowledge of human, legal, civil rights, community, and other resources
• Knowledge of available equipment, therapies, and service providers
• Knowledge of empowerment and self-advocacy techniques
• Knowledge of formal and informal assessment practices
• Knowledge of participatory planning techniques
• Knowledge of required physical personal management skills
• Knowledge of required household management skills
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

High School diploma or GED required. A bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field preferred, but experience may substitute for education. 

At least one year work experience in human services with adults with psychiatric illness and/or
development disabilities is required.

Driving Requirements:
Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least six months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.

Physical Effort:

Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position.
Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift.
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.

Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living. Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.
Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand, and move around the facility.

Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Required Certifications:

CPR is required within two weeks of hire

First Aid is required within two weeks of hire

MAC follows CT guidelines

Safety Care is required within 60 days of hire

Other training, as assigned