Job Description

Who We Are:

Since 1985, BHCHP’s mission has been to provide or assure access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in greater Boston. We care for over 11,000 homeless individuals each year and ensure that every one of these individuals can receive comprehensive health care, which includes primary care, behavioral health, medical respite, dental, case management, and more. Our staff work in 30+ locations across the city to serve some of our community's most vulnerable—and most resilient—citizens.

From our earliest days as a program, we have always sought to do work that is transformational: recognizing our shared humanity, centering trust, mutual respect, hope, and supporting the right of every individual to access the highest levels of health care and every staff member to reach their fullest potential. We continue to be committed to building bridges and breaking down physical and systemic barriers that our patients face and provide community-based health care services that are compassionate, dignified, and culturally appropriate.

Job Summary:

Hours: Full time, Monday – Friday 8:30am -5:00pm

Union: Yes

Union Name: 1199SEIU

Patient Facing: Yes

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) is committed to ensuring equitable, dignified access to high-quality health care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. A significant portion of BHCHP patients experience substance use disorder (SUD), and drug overdose remains a leading cause of death. BHCHP is continuously strengthening its care model to better meet the needs of individuals actively using substances by expanding access to treatment and reducing the health risks associated with drug use.

Community Care in Reach (CCiR) is a mobile health initiative that partners with primary care, addiction medicine, and public health organizations to engage individuals experiencing homelessness and/or substance use who are not well connected to care. Through street-based outreach and mobile services, CCiR provides low-threshold access to medical care, behavioral health support, and risk reduction services.

The Community Access Outreach Specialist / Men’s Health Coordinator is a key member of a multidisciplinary team, responsible for delivering trauma-informed outreach, care navigation, and linkage services. This role centers on engaging individuals who use drugs and experience homelessness, with a focused responsibility on advancing men’s health engagement and access. In this role, you will work to reduce risks associated with drug use, including overdose, HIV, Hepatitis C, STIs, and other health complications, while supporting connections to medical care, behavioral health, and critical social services.

Responsibilities:

Outreach, Engagement, and Navigation

• Conduct street-based outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness and/or substance use, particularly in the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard area, including the Engagement Center and Comfort Station
• Build trusting relationships through nonjudgmental, trauma-informed engagement strategies
• Assess participant needs and provide supported referrals, including patient accompaniment when appropriate
• Connect individuals to primary care, behavioral health services, substance use treatment, housing resources, benefits, and other social services
• Maintain ongoing relationships with patients to support continuity of care and care plan follow-up

Risk Reduction and Health Education

• Provide education on risk reduction strategies, including overdose prevention, safer use practices, vein care, wound care, and infection prevention
• Distribute Narcan kits and provide overdose prevention education
• Provide education on HIV, Hepatitis C, and STI prevention and transmission
• Assist clinical staff during overdose response situations
• Serve as a resource to staff and participants on risk reduction strategies and best practices

Men’s Health Coordination

• Lead targeted outreach and engagement efforts focused on men experiencing homelessness, particularly those less likely to engage in traditional healthcare settings
• Provide education on men’s health topics including sexual and reproductive health, HIV/STI prevention, and preventative care
• Support access to routine screenings and chronic disease management, including blood pressure monitoring and age-appropriate screenings (e.g., prostate health)
• Engage men in conversations around mental health, substance use, and stigma using trauma-informed and risk reduction approaches
• Ensure services are inclusive of cisgender and transgender men through culturally competent and gender-affirming care practices
• Collaborate with internal teams and community partners to strengthen men’s health programming and address service gaps
• Assist in developing outreach strategies, educational materials, and programming focused on men’s health
• Track engagement and outcomes related to men’s health services to support program development and quality improvement

CCiR Van Operations and Case Management

• Drive the CCiR van to and from outreach sites for a minimum of two sessions per week
• Manage and restock supplies prior to each shift, including inventory tracking and compliance with DPH requirements
• Provide medical case management and assist patients with navigating MassHealth, Social Security, and Department of Transitional Assistance services
• Review healthcare maintenance needs, including immunizations and follow-up care
• Document all case management and outreach activities in the electronic health record (Epic)
• Develop outreach and educational materials to support patient engagement and health promotion
• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and BHCHP policies

Clinical Support

• Obtain phlebotomy competency within 60 days of training and provide phlebotomy services as needed
• Receive a 3% pay increase upon demonstration of phlebotomy proficiency

Program Operations and Collaboration

• Support daily operations at outreach sites, including ensuring availability of supplies, food, and resources
• Collaborate with partner organizations, including the Boston Public Health Commission
• Participate in team meetings, outreach debriefings, incident reviews, and trainings
• Provide coverage for other BHCHP programs, including SPOT and additional risk reduction services as needed

Qualifications:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent experience (minimum two years in human services)
• Experience working with individuals with substance use disorder required
• Strong commitment to risk reduction principles and trauma-informed care
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, incarceration, or violence preferred
• Prior street outreach experience strongly preferred
• Knowledge of community resources, particularly addiction and social services, preferred
• Commitment to culturally responsive, equitable care across diverse populations
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work both independently and within a team-based environment
• Lived experience is welcomed and valued

Compensation and Benefits:

• The compensation increases based on years of experience and ranges from $23.80- $38.08 hourly
• BHCHP full time employees are eligible for our competitive time off program, health, dental and vision insurance, 403B retirement savings plan, pre-tax MBTA pass program with 40% discount, additional compensation for demonstrated bilingual proficiency and more.  Benefits are prorated for part-time employees

Does this amazing opportunity interest you? Then we'd love to hear from you.

As an equal opportunity employer, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Covid-19 Vaccination: Proof of Covid-19 vaccination(s) is optional for employment. Candidates who are offered employment will be given details about how to demonstrate receipt of vaccination if they choose to.

Please Note: Employment at Boston Health Care for the Homeless is at-will. Boston Health Care for the Homeless does not sponsor work authorization visas.