Community Outreach Worker – Substance Use at UNITED COUNSELING SERVICE OF BENNINGTON COUNTY INC – Bennington, Vermont

Description: Why join UCS?Since 1958, United Counseling Service (UCS) has been dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to individuals and families in our community. Through a wide range of programs, services, and educational opportunities, we strive to meet the diverse needs of those we serve. Our team includes professionals from various fields, including administration, clinical services, nursing, education, case management, psychiatry, and direct support, working across 17 facilities throughout Bennington County.As a proud affiliate of Vermont Care Partners—a statewide network of 16 non-profit community-based agencies—we deliver comprehensive mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental services across Vermont. We are currently seeking compassionate, motivated team players to join us in making a positive impact and building a stronger community.

UCS Offers Generous Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Generous paid time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career development opportunities
• Free clinical supervision towards licensure
• Loan repayment and tuition assistance program
• Award winning worksite wellness program
• An inclusive workplace supported by an active Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging committee.
• Rewarding experience making a difference in the community.

We believe a dynamic and inclusive workforce will strengthen our organization and enhance the services we provide. Therefore, it is our goal to hire a diverse workforce and cultivate a culture where our employees feel accepted and included, hold a valued place within our organization and are equally able to contribute to their fullest extent, assisting in fulfilling our mission of building a stronger community.

The Community Outreach Worker will report to the Clinical Manager of Substance Use Disorder Services and Targeted Care Management (TCM). The Community Outreach Worker will work collaboratively with UCS’s SUD Case Manager, Same Day Access Teams, UCS Emergency Services, and other members of the Outpatient program. The Community Outreach Worker will at a minimum attend local, regional, and state partner stakeholder meetings; scheduled and organize community partner and stakeholder meetings, represent UCS for the purpose of raising awareness both directly and indirectly of services available to individuals with substance use disorders; and manage UCS website content.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement

• Make contact and establish a positive relationship with local, regional, and state partners and stakeholders.
• Schedule and organize community partner and stakeholder meetings and events, including trainings; sometimes evenings as needed.
• Represent United Counseling Services (UCS) for the purpose of raising awareness both directly and indirectly of services available to individuals with substance use disorders.

Patient Engagement in Treatment

• Facilitate initiation of treatment from introduction from community partners into the agency.
• Use motivational interviewing techniques to communicate with clients in a respectful, culturally appropriate, non-judgmental manner.
• Maintain up-to-date information about the effects of various substances, withdrawal symptoms, and treatment options to effectively educate and counsel clients.
• Promote harm-reduction strategies based on clients’ goals, preferences, and life circumstances.

Website Management

• Collaborate with community partners to maintain a directory of community service providers that support individuals with substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Provide any public facing website content updates for the SUD Program to the Community Relations and Development Team.

Documentation

• Utilization of My Avatar for client documentation.
• For required for program reporting, aggregate monthly or quarterly counts of targeted metrics such as, number of clients served, and clients that initiated and engaged into treatment.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND RECORD KEEPING:

• Completes various clinical and administrative forms for billing, information and clinical records. Completes all case management documentation on time and in a professional manner.
• Attends all staff meetings, agency meetings, in-services, and clinical trainings as instructed by supervisor. Maintains confidentiality on all cases at all times.

ADMINISTRATIVE, AGENCY AND CLINICAL TEAM MEETINGS::

• May support the function of Universal Access and provide back-up, as requested, for the Universal Access Team.
• Participates in interagency planning and service coordination activities as directed to improve and enhance service continuity and effectiveness for clients.
• Participates in regular interdisciplinary staff meetings, and substance use program supervision.
• Participates in regular group supervision and individual supervision as a means of enhancing professional growth, reviewing the provision of clinical services, and addressing administrative issues.

EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE/CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of Associate degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Health Sciences with background in Substance Use Disorders.
• Willing to obtain the Addiction Apprentice Professional credential through the Vermont Office of Professional of Regulation within 180 days of hire.
• Nonjudgmental, positive, and compassionate approach to assisting clients with substance use disorder (SUD). Understanding of SUD as a medical condition and the role of supportive counseling, medications, and psychological interventions in treatment, harm reduction and recovery supports.
• Ability to use computer information systems, computer literacy, and knowledge of word processing. Interest/proficiency in working with individuals recently released from incarceration, individuals experiencing homelessness, and other marginalized populations.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

• Valid Driver’s License
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Basic understanding of clerical procedures and systems such as recordkeeping and filing.
• Ability to work independently.

Requirements: