Social Worker / Bilingual Family Outreach Specialist

Purpose

Under the direction and in collaboration with a faculty lead and program manager, this licensed clinician’s primary role will be conducting outreach to families in Milwaukee County who have lost someone to overdose and supporting the work of nonfatal overdose response teams in Milwaukee County with a particular focus on individuals who identify as Hispanic. This licensed clinician will be placed in the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office and will connect with families of individuals who have experienced a fatal overdose to identify needed referrals to community services, including grief support. The position will also conduct next of kin interviews regarding the history of the individual and the risk factors and circumstances leading to the death. Additionally, this position will work with a community paramedic social worker through the Office of Emergency Management to provide linkage to substance use disorder treatment and other services for individuals who have experienced a nonfatal overdose. This licensed clinician must have experience and a high level of engagement while working with children, adolescents, and adults on a continuum of care providing community resource services.

Primary Functions

• Conduct outreach in English and Spanish for the next of kin for individuals who resided in Milwaukee County and died of a probable overdose to identify primary needs and provide referrals to community resources
• Conduct next of kin interviews in English and Spanish to understand the history and risk factors of individuals
• Provide linkage to substance use disorder treatment and other services for individuals contacted by nonfatal overdose response teams in Milwaukee County in coordination with the Office of Emergency Management.
• Serve as a liaison with community resources to ensure referrals are received or redirect to alternate resources if needed
• Assist in the development and tracking of position goals and outcomes
• Develop effective and collaborative working relationships with various community resources (e.g., government, nonprofit, other resources)
• Assess the needs of individuals and families following a death from overdose
• Assist in the development of operational approach to working with families and developing resource referrals
• Identify a continuum of services and resources to draw from when working with families
• Be an active contributor and member of the multi-disciplinary team supporting the response work, including but not limited to the Milwaukee County Overdose Public Health and Safety Team
• Identify gaps or challenges in available resources in working with families who have lost someone to overdose
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities

• Fluency in Spanish
• Ability to conduct phone interviews with the next of kin of individuals who die of a probable overdose in a sensitive manner with the ability to prepare reports based on those interviews
• Knowledge and experience with substance use disorder/addiction, addiction medicine, trauma treatment and/or bereavement counseling
• Knowledge of current events and policy matters regarding behavioral health and substance use
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with system partners in addressing public health and public safety priorities
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to engage in outreach and conduct interviews with family of individuals experiencing a non-natural death
• Ability to make independent judgements and decisions in carrying out assigned responsibilities
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and to demonstrate sociocultural sensitivity
• Ability to assess needs of individuals and families for resources following an unexpected death
• Skills in effective verbal communication, particularly under sensitive circumstances with individuals experiencing trauma
• Direct experience in working with individuals or families experiencing trauma
• Knowledge regarding secondary trauma and how to protect oneself and others from the trauma
• Education and/or experience in interventions in community social service and mental health settings.

Specifications

Appropriate experience may be substituted on equivalent basis

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s level social worker or similar educational experience
• One year experience
• Certified social worker, licensed social worker, licensed clinician, or licensed counselor (State of Wisconsin)
• Fluency in Spanish

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with Milwaukee County community agencies, ability to conduct phone and in person interviews with individuals in a potentially high stress and highly sensitive situation.

Field

• Social work, Counseling