We're Hiring: Positive Wellness Support Worker - Victoria

Position Details:

Grid Level:   34, $26.42/hour

Work Location: 713 Johnson Street

Hours of Work: 30 hours a week

Schedule: Monday through Thursday  9:00am – 5:00pm

Start Date: ASAP

To Apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@avi.org by Tuesday, November 23, 2021

 

Positive Wellness Program Summary:

Our Positive Wellness Program provides integrated services to individuals living with HIV and/or hepatitis C, including advocacy and support with income assistance, health care services, employment, housing, disability status applications and legal matters; short-term counseling focused on immediate needs and outcomes; non-judgmental education and support for treatment, food security and nutrition.

Job Summary:

The Support Worker is responsible for the provision and delivery of direct services to persons living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C.  Under the supervision of the program manager staff will use a harm reduction model to give care to a wide variety of service users at 713 Johnson and in the community.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Actively engages with individuals who are living with, or at risk for, HIV/Hepatitis C, using a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction
  2. Use brief assessment, crisis response, and counselling skills to help meet immediate, basic needs (eg. applications and follow-up regarding housing, income, identification, etc) and make appropriate referrals to other health and support services
  3. Advocate on behalf of clients with various Ministries and agencies to ensure clients receive maximum information and support
  4. Work with clients on issues such as housing, medical, legal and other support agencies
  5. Visit clients at their homes and attends appointments with service users in the community.
  6. Distribute harm reduction supplies and provides education and support regarding safer substance use and safer sex
  7. Conduct individual or group education sessions, and compiles educational materials to meet clients’ needs, as required
  8. Provide onsite supervision, support and continues to develop the client drop-in program
  9. Deliver meals on foot or in a vehicle to clients
  10. Help put together meals for clients and performs other kitchen duties. 
  11. Work in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services
  12. Maintain both paper and electronic confidential client files
  13. Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

University degree in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Support Worker, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience 

Proof of Vaccination Status, as required by the Provincial Health Order for Hospital and Community Health Care Services staff  

Support Workers will have a minimum of two years’ relevant work experience and will demonstrate the following minimum requirements:

  • Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License.
  • Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction principles and practices
  • Demonstrated ability to establish rapport, provide support and advocate for a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges
  • Direct service delivery and advocacy experience with community-based and provincial support services and systems (financial aid, housing, healthcare, justice system, etc.)
  • Demonstrated empathic observer invested in respectful relationship-building
  • 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 substance use
  • Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care
  • Understanding of the impact on individual health and well-being, as well as the considerations for service delivery related to systemic barriers associated with poverty, mental health, substance use, trauma, racism, ongoing colonialism, heterosexism, and gender discrimination
  • Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and using trauma informed practice
  • Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, and demonstrated commitment to working within a collaborative team approach
  • Demonstrated time management and personal organization skills to effectively support a high volume of client work

Skills and Abilities:

  • Commitment to honor local indigenous communities and a dedication to lessening the ongoing impacts of colonial violence.
  • Committed to social justice, equity, anti-racism and decolonization. 
  • Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position
  • Able and willing to work outside during all weather conditions
  • Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others
  • Ability to operate related equipment
  • Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients
  • Ability to analyze and resolve problems
  • Advocacy skills
  • Leadership experience
  • Ability to work with a diverse clientele facing significant structural vulnerability
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Understanding of the psycho-social issues affecting people living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C

 

We encourage applications from, but not limited to, Indigenous persons, persons of colour, persons living with disabilities, persons who use/d illicit drugs, persons with experience of sex work, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.