Bilingual Family Outreach Specialist (Social Worker)

Position Description:

We're looking for those individuals-the creative thinkers and innovation seekers-who are content with nothing short of changing the world. Discover the endless opportunities within the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and be inspired by the work we can do together to improve health, and make a positive, daily impact in our communities.

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.

Preferred Schedule:



Monday-Friday

Position Requirements:

Specifications

Appropriate experience may be substituted on equivalent basis

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's level social worker or similar educational experience
• One year experience
• Licensed counselor or licensed social worker
• Fluency in Spanish

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Level Licensed Clinician, Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• 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

#LI-AC1

Why MCW?

• Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
• 403B Retirement Package
• Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes.
• Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.

For a full list of positions see: www.mcw.edu/careers

For a brief overview of our benefits see: https://www.mcw.edu/departments/human-resources/benefits

Eastern Wisconsin is a vibrant, diverse metropolitan area. MCW is intent on attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce and faculty body that reflects the community we serve. We value diversity of backgrounds, experience, thought, and perspectives to advance excellence in science and medicine. MCW is a welcoming campus community with a strong culture of collaboration, partnership, and engagement with our surrounding community. For more information, please visit our institutional website at https://www.mcw.edu/departments/office-of-diversity-and-inclusion.

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination


The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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