AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community-based organisation providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We take evidence-based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework to ensure equity and access to services for all.
At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. Every day, we strive to create meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. For more info see www.avi.org
Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centred team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and/or support services.
Harm Reduction Team, Mobile Harm Reduction Worker
Job Summary:
The Mobile Harm Reduction Worker will be part of an outreach team based out of Victoria which provides a broad range of low barrier, harm reduction supports, supplies and education to individuals in Greater Victoria (outside of the downtown core) and the Westshore who are otherwise unable to consistently access other existing Harm Reduction programming and services.
The Mobile Harm Reduction Worker will provide evidence-based harm reduction supplies, services and interventions to individuals and priority populations to increase knowledge of overdose prevention and response strategies. These positions will also provide accurate information regarding HIV, HCV and other blood-borne disease transmission and prevention strategies. This position will provide support & overdose response, including the administration of oxygen and Naloxone, to people using illicit substances in a variety of community settings including people’s homes.
The Mobile Worker will be integral to building stronger community connections with people who face ongoing health and social barriers such as poverty, stigma and criminalization.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide outreach and support in a variety of settings including but not limited to hotel sheltering sites, supported housing and private residences.
- Distribute safer drug use and safer sex supplies.
- Distribute naloxone kits and provide information and on-the-spot training in overdose prevention and response.
- Provide witnessed consumption support as requested. Assess for overdose symptoms and respond with rescue breathing and naloxone when necessary, training is provided.
- Use brief assessment, active listening, and crisis response skills to help meet immediate, basic needs and make appropriate referrals for people who use substances and those who have survived overdose(s) to other health and support services within the community.
- Engage with clients in a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction.
- Maintain the safety of all programs by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents (such as overdose prevention and response), including the ability to use communication devices (cell phone/2-way radio)
- Identify and develop safety plans with people who are using substances who are at increased risk of overdose.
- Maintain both paper and electronic confidential records as required.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ability to carry out physical duties of position.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Ability to organize and prioritize.
- Ability to analyze and resolve issues through conflict resolution and crisis interventions skills.
- Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction/health promotion practices, safer using practices, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, poverty issues, mental health concerns and addictions.
- Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations.
- Ability to problem solve with creativity, flexibility, and assertiveness in dealing with complex issues.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, clients, community, and other service providers.
- Working understanding of the importance of confidentiality and boundaries.
- Demonstrated cultural safety and humility, and trauma-informed practices.
- Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices.
- Understanding of the psycho-social issues affecting people who use drugs.
POSITION DETAILS:
- Pay: $30.64 to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU pay grid 34)
- Afternoon Shift Premium for Some Shifts: Afternoon Shift Premium of an additional $0.25/hour applies to any shifts that have at least 50% of their time scheduled between 4 pm and midnight. As such, some of the shifts of this ad qualify for an additional $0.25/hour premium.
- Position: This is a casual position ending on April 1, 2024
- Location: 713 Johnson Street Victoria and providing services to Greater Victoria, Westshore and Sooke.
- Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2022-2025 and this role is a BCGEU union position.
- Pension:If you are already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP), you can continue with them at AVI immediately. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account. If you are not already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan, part time staff may become eligible after 2 years with AVI.
- Other Perks: This position gets paid an extra 5% in lieu of vacation 5% in lieu of stats, meaning your hourly rate is actually 10% higher than listed.
- Proof of Vaccination Required: AVI is under BC's Health Services Order and continues to require proof of vaccination.
- Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.
To Apply:
Please send your resume and cover letter to Jobs@avi.org by July 17, 2023, 5 pm.
AVI is committed to equity and diversity and we strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Indigenous Persons, persons of colour, racialized, persons living with a disability, persons who use/d drugs, persons with experience of sex work, persons who live with HIV and/or hepatitis C, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.
Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.