Forensic Harm Reduction Specialist

The Bridge; New York (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bridge in Bronx, NY, is seeking a Forensic Harm Reduction Specialist to provide supportive services to formerly homeless adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Under supervision, you will conduct case management, link clients to housing and health resources, and assist with navigating the criminal justice system. You will co-facilitate groups and ensure documentation meets regulatory guidelines, contributing to housing stability and client well-being.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree preferred or Bachelor's Degree with experience working with justice-involved individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Experience in mental health, substance use, crisis intervention, and handling trauma-triggered behavior.
• Strong time management, adaptability, teamwork, and willingness to CPR/First Aid/Naloxone.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management, including benefits assistance and housing referrals, primarily in clients' apartments and community settings.
• Provide psychoeducation on harm reduction and related health topics.
• Assist clients with navigating the criminal justice system, including escorts to court.
• Assist with medication observation in line with OMH regulations.
• Develop Service Plans and document in electronic records, identifying client strengths and needs.
• Motivate clients to develop skills for housing stability and legal compliance.
• Help clients build natural supports and include them in Service Plans.
• Complete timely documentation for every client contact per agency policy.
• Co-facilitate groups on harm reduction, reentry, wellness, housing, and related topics.
• Assist in preparing program for audits and regulatory reviews.
• Provide crisis intervention when needed and ensure proper incident reporting.
• Liaise with other departments and collaborate with community organizations for services.
• Work with diverse populations with cultural sensitivity and respect.
• Conduct apartment inspections and provide client escorts using public transport.
• Assist in maintaining safe, decent living conditions for clients' homes.
• Report serious incidents promptly to supervisors and file incident reports.
• Attend staff meetings, supervision, and trainings; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Mental health experience

Substance abuse experience

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed care

Experience with justice-involved

Time management

Stress resilience

Team player

Open to feedback

Creativity

Organizational skills

CPR/First Aid/Naloxone

AWARDS knowledge

Education

Masters degree preferred

Bachelor's degree with relevant experience

Job description

48-unit supportive housing program on the grounds of Bronx Psychiatric Center.

About the Role

Under the supervision of the Program Director the Forensic Harm Reduction Specialist will be responsible for providing supportive services to formerly homeless adults diagnosed with serious mental illness, some of which have a forensic background with co-occurring substance use disorders.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management, including benefits assistance, help complete housing applications, provide links to primary and behavioral health care in the community, and housing referrals to formerly homeless adults diagnosed with serious mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders. These services are primarily provided in the client's apartment and in community settings.
• Provide psychoeducation to clients around harm reduction techniques pertaining to substance use, sexual reproductive health etc.
• Assist clients with navigating the criminal justice system including working with parole officers, attorneys, and legal aid. Provide escorts to court and other mandates as requested.
• Assist with observation and education regarding medication in accordance with OMH regulations.
• Assist in identifying strengths, needs, abilities, and goals and create related Service Plans in electronic client records system.
• Motivate clients to develop skills needed to maintain housing and compliance with legal obligations.
• Assist and encourage individuals to develop natural supports and include these supports in Service Plans and client-related meetings.
• Timely completion of required documentation for every client contact as per agency policy. Ensure documentation meets regulatory guidelines for level of care.
• Co-facilitate groups in areas including, but not limited to: harm reduction, reentry, wellness, leadership, housing, stability, employment and education, relationships, and healthy decision making.
• Assist in preparing program for audits.
• Provide crisis intervention, as necessary.
• Compliance with requirements, including facilitating appropriate admissions and discharges, maintaining census, documentation, and incident reporting.
• Liaise with other departments within The Bridge, including: Clinical Risk Management, Aging Services, Outpatient services, etc.
• Collaborate with community-based organizations around services and resources available to clients, including safe use centers, outpatient treatment, family planning/safe sex, etc.
• Ability to work with consumers/residents, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences.
• Conduct apartment inspections on multiple floors, utilizing stairs.
• Provide escorts to clients throughout the community utilizing public transportation.
• Provide assistance and instruction to clients with maintaining their home environment in decent living condition.
• Immediately reports serious incidents, serious incident allegations, incidents, or sensitive situations to supervisors. Completes incident reports in accordance with Bridge policy.
• Accounts for consumers, performs diligent searches, and files missing person reports on consumers not accounted for in accordance with policy and procedure.
• Attends staff meetings, supervision, and trainings as required.
• Any other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree preferred or Bachelor's Degree with experience working with justice-involved individuals with co-occurring substance abuse disorders.

Required Skills

• Experience working with mental health, substance abuse, crisis intervention, and managing trauma-triggered behavior.
• Excellent time management skills; stress-resistant, flexible; team player; open to feedback; creative; excellent organizational skills; willingness to perform CPR/First Aid/AED/Naloxone.
• Experience working with justice system-involved individuals.
• Preferred knowledge of AWARDS.

Hours

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Bridge is committed to diversity and inclusivity.