Bilingual Outreach Specialist (Spanish)
Location: Cambridge, MA
Job Type: Full‑time
Description
While opioid‑related overdose fatalities have been declining overall in Massachusetts, BIPOC and Latinx communities are seeing dramatic surges in overdose fatalities. At the same time, many people who use drugs in areas disproportionately affected by this are often underserved by harm‑reduction services, unaware of these services, and/or do not view themselves as eligible or in need of them. Fenway Health’s Department of Prevention aims to tackle this issue head‑on through hiring a bi‑lateral outreach specialist. The ideal candidate can bring a breadth of cultural knowledge and diversity to better serve these communities through culturally competent street and mobile outreach for active injection drug users in high‑need areas of Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the specialist will also conduct rapid HIV/HCV/STI testing, provide overdose prevention trainings with clients, community groups, and businesses, and provide on‑site health education duties as needed.
Primary Responsibilities
* Conduct street and mobile outreach activities with active drug users in high‑risk or high‑need areas such as East Somerville, the Roxbury and Jamaica Plain neighborhoods of Boston, and Cambridge.
* Distribute safer sex, overdose prevention, and injection supplies to people who use drugs; 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 to program participants and area providers; provide appropriate referrals.
* Provide practical interventions for injection site issues, including advice for basic wound and/or abscess care.
* Break down language barriers by providing these interventions in two languages when required (Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Portuguese).
* Conduct rapid HIV testing; provide screening and risk reduction sessions, education, and referrals as necessary.
* Provide training on overdose prevention and naloxone (Narcan) to active users, their allies, and other service providers.
* Provide clients with easily accessible, low‑threshold services that operate within the harm‑reduction framework, assisting with access to primary care, drug treatment, homeless shelters, legal advocacy, and enrollment in syringe exchange and overdose prevention services.
* 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 engage in community advocacy.
* Assist the Program Manager with 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 the Program Manager’s supervision, obtain Overdose Prevention Master Trainer designation from funders.
* Assist Outreach Coordinator in training and certifying new staff to conduct overdose prevention trainings.
* Assist 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.
* Maintain the highest principles of client confidentiality.
* Follow established safety policies, procedures and precautions; enforce agency’s clinical procedures, including safety and crisis procedures.
* Attend all required meetings, in‑services and professional trainings.
* Maintain professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; keep records of continuing education activities.
Requirements
* Minimum two years of relevant work experience. A Bachelor’s degree plus relevant experience may substitute for the minimum work experience requirement.
* Knowledge of and commitment to practice harm reduction in all interactions with program participants and throughout program planning.
* Must be fluent in Spanish.
* Experienced 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 with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Significant knowledge of health‑related issues faced by injection drug users, including awareness of injection drug user 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.
* Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences; engaging constructively with colleagues, patients, clients, and vendors in a manner that reflects professionalism, empathy, and cultural awareness, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or other protected characteristics as defined by applicable law.
Preferred Qualifications
* Previous experience implementing support groups and trainings.
* Familiarity with electronic databases.
* CPR certification or willingness to be trained.
Physical Requirements
* Ability to meet the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodations:
* Travel to community events and venues such as health fairs, neighborhoods, bars and nightclubs to perform outreach activities, including on late evenings and weekends.
* Sit at a computer station and use a keyboard for extended periods of time.
* 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 involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
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.
Salary
$23.24 – $26.10 per hour ($46,300 – $50,900 per year)
Benefits include comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans and a retirement plan with employer match, along with 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.
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