Outreach and Engagement Specialist

Job Title:Outreach and Engagement Specialist
Location: 91 East Broadway, New York City
Reports To: Outreach and Patient Experience Manager
Schedule: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm (Onsite/In Field)
Salary range:50-55k based on relevant experience & education  

Job Summary:
The Outreach & Engagement Specialist connects individuals experiencing homelessness with Care For the Homeless (CFH) health services, helping both first-time clients and those returning to care. As part of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) team, the specialist conducts outreach and in-reach at shelters, soup kitchens, supportive housing programs, CFH-hosted sites, and other community settings.
The specialist builds relationships with community partners and clinic staff; promotes CFH’s medical, dental, mental health, substance use, podiatry, and insurance enrollment services; and helps clients with registration, appointment scheduling, care coordination, and follow-up. In collaboration with Street Health, the specialist also connects people reached through street-based outreach with appropriate CFH services and supports continuity of care.
Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness at shelters, soup kitchens, supportive housing programs, on the streets, and in communities surrounding CFH sites to connect potential clients and clients needing reintegration to CFH health services.
• Collaborate with the Street Health team to coordinate street-based outreach, identify individuals who may benefit from services, facilitate connections to CFH clinics and appropriate care, and support follow-up and continuity of care.
• Build and maintain working relationships with community programs, shelter and supportive housing staff, and other community partners to strengthen coordination of care.
• Conduct in-reach at CFH-hosted sites to engage clients in care and encourage re-engagement when needed.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with CFH clinic staff at assigned outreach sites and communicate barriers or obstacles that may affect clients’ access to or continuity of care.
• Promote CFH services, including medical, dental, mental health, substance use, podiatry, and insurance enrollment services.
• Educate clients about the importance of health screenings, influenza vaccination, HIV testing, treatment adherence, and health insurance enrollment under the Affordable Care Act.
• Escort clients to CFH clinics and community providers as needed, and assist with registration, appointment scheduling, and navigation of services.
• Assist clients with registering for and using Patient Portal.
• Provide appointment reminder calls, letters, and other follow-up activities to support appointment adherence; accompany clients to follow-up appointments as needed.
• Document all client encounters in writing through the required activity log and maintain timely, accurate documentation.
• Attend and participate in mandatory meetings, training, and interdisciplinary team activities.
• Use Kronos to accurately record hours worked.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, Psychology, or a related field preferred.
•   Minimum 1-2 years of experience providing outreach, case management, patient navigation,  community health, or social services support to vulnerable populations, including individuals  experiencing homelessness.
• Experience working in shelters, supportive housing programs, healthcare settings, street outreach programs, or community-based organizations preferred.

Additional Skills Required

• Client-centered approach: Compassion, respect, and understanding for people experiencing homelessness.
• Communication and collaboration: Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with others. Strong interpersonal skills and clear oral and written communication.
• Organization and technology: Ability to manage multiple tasks, organize responsibilities, and complete follow-up promptly.
• Proficiency in MS Outlook and
• Community and street-based outreach: Flexibility and ability to work effectively in nontraditional environments, including community and street-based settings.
• Participate in Mobile Street Health Outreach as designated by Supervisor

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position requires regular travel by subway or bus throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. Work locations may include CFH health centers, shelters, supportive housing agencies, community settings, and street-based outreach locations, as required.