POSITION TITLE: Harm Reduction Support Worker, Regular Part Time
DEPARTMENT: Harm Reduction Services
SUPERVISOR: Coordinator - Harm Reduction Services
WAGE RATE: Grid 10 (starting at $21.13/hr)
HOURS: 2 positions:
Monday - Thursday, 2:45-10:15pm (28 hrs/week)
Friday - Sunday, 2:45-10:15pm (21 hrs/week)
______________________________________________________________________
JOB SUMMARY
Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator - Harm Reduction Services, the Harm Reduction Support Worker will provide a broad range of low barrier, psycho-social supports to individuals accessing harm reduction programming and services at the Access Health Centre.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES
- Provide safer drug use and safer sex supplies.
- Provide education and support regarding safer drug use and safer sex, HIV, hepatitis C, and STIs.
- Overdose prevention education and first aid response. Act as lead first responder when Team Lead is not present.
- Use brief assessment, active listening and crisis response skills to help meet immediate, basic needs and make appropriate referrals to other health and support services within the Access Health Centre and within the community.
- Engage with clients in a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction and trauma-informed practice to provide information and support.
- Maintain the safety of all program spaces 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, two-way radio) and navigate a stairwell of three stories multiple times each shift.
- Facilitate workshops and support groups related to increasing health and wellness.
- Work in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services.
- Maintain both paper and electronic confidential client files as required.
- Engage in planning, evaluation, and program development as directed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Formal education in health or social services program (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health & Addictions Support Worker, etc), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Harm Reduction Support Workers will have a minimum of two years relevant work experience and will demonstrate the following minimum requirements:
- Direct service delivery experience in the community social services sector with a demonstrated working knowledge of community-based programs and related provincial and community support services systems;
- Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges;
- Demonstrated skills, experience and knowledge in the areas of safer drug use, addictions, safer sex, sex work, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, mental health, etc;
- Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care;
- Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices;
- Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges;
- Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and de-escalation skills;
- Ability to apply sound judgement: stay grounded and use creativity, flexibility and assertiveness when working through complex and often urgent situations;
- Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, clients, community, and other service providers.
Candidates should send an updated resume and cover letter as one attachment to heather.hobbs@avi.org by 5pm on Monday, January 2.