Fenway Health is hiring a Bilingual Outreach Specialist (Spanish) to serve high‑need communities in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. The role focuses on culturally competent street and mobile outreach for active injection drug users, rapid HIV/HCV/STI testing, overdose prevention trainings, and harm‑reduction support.
Primary Responsibilities
* Conduct street and mobile outreach activities with active drug users in identified high‑risk or high‑need neighborhoods, including East Somerville, Roxbury and Jamaica Plain, and Cambridge.
* Distribute safer sex, overdose prevention, and injection supplies to people who use drugs (PWUD) and collect used syringes for safe disposal.
* Provide written and verbal harm‑reduction information on safer injection strategies, vein and abscess care, overdose prevention, and HIV, STD, and Hepatitis transmission, and offer appropriate referrals.
* Provide practical interventions for injection site issues, including advice for basic wound and abscess care.
* Break down language barriers by delivering interventions in up to two languages (Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Portuguese) when necessary.
* Conduct rapid HIV testing, provide screening and risk‑reduction sessions, and offer education and referrals as needed.
* Provide training on overdose prevention and naloxone (Narcan) to active users, their allies, and other service providers.
* Offer clients low‑threshold services within the harm‑reduction framework, helping them access primary care, drug treatment, homeless shelters, legal advocacy, and enrollment in syringe exchange and overdose prevention programs.
* Participate in daily drop‑in operations, including opening and closing procedures, to ensure facilities are clean, safe, and welcoming.
* Build and maintain partnerships with community partners and conduct community advocacy.
* Assist the Program Manager in program development, evaluation, and vehicle maintenance.
* Respond to overdose and behavioral health crises as necessary.
* Attend and participate in departmental, collaborator, and funder meetings and trainings.
Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution
* Under Program Manager supervision, obtain Overdose Prevention Master Trainer designation from funders.
* Assist the Outreach Coordinator in training and certifying new staff to conduct overdose prevention trainings.
* Assist the Outreach Coordinator in maintaining Narcan distribution to community partners.
Meet agency participatory expectations
* Adhere to all agency and departmental policies and procedures.
* Participate in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested.
* Adhere to the highest principles of client confidentiality.
* Enforce agency’s safety policies and clinical procedures, including crisis procedures.
* Attend all required meetings, in‑services, and professional trainings.
* Maintain professional competence and provide records of continuing education activities.
Requirements
* Minimum of two years of relevant work experience (a Bachelor’s degree plus relevant experience may substitute).
* Knowledge of and commitment to harm‑reduction practice in all interactions.
* Fluency in Spanish.
* Experience in conducting street and mobile outreach with at‑risk populations.
* Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
* Previous experience with data collection and entry.
* Self‑directed, motivated, and flexible, able to work independently and as part of a team.
* Significant knowledge of health‑related issues faced by injection drug users, including awareness of networks, norms, and culture.
* Current valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and at least one year of driving experience.
* Ability to provide rapid HIV testing using a finger‑stick test and/or willingness to learn phlebotomy skills.
* Experience in crisis intervention.
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience implementing support groups and trainings.
* Familiarity with electronic databases.
* CPR certification or willingness to be trained.
Physical Requirements
* Travel to community events and venues such as health fairs, neighborhoods, bars, and nightclubs for outreach activities, including late evenings and weekends.
* Sit at a computer station and use a keyboard for extended periods.
* Handle average‑weight objects up to 15‑20 pounds and occasionally assist patients.
* May work with blood or blood‑borne pathogens and require OSHA training.
* Work environment may involve exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations requiring extensive safety precautions and protective equipment.
Salary: $23.24 – $26.10 per hour ($46,300 – $50,900 per year).
LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
This is a union position in a Fenway Health bargaining unit represented by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
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