POSITION TITLE: Harm Reduction Support Worker, Casual
DEPARTMENT: Harm Reduction Services
SUPERVISOR: Manager- Harm Reduction Services
WAGE RATE: Grid 10 (starting at $21.53/hr)
HOURS: Variable, must have 30 hours/month availability, shifts range between 2:45-10:15pm daily
JOB SUMMARY
Under the direct supervision of the Manager of 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.
- Follow protocol related to violence prevention and critical incidents including the ability to use communication devices (cell phone, two-way radio) and navigate a stairwell of three stories multiple times each shift.
- Use brief assessment, active listening and crisis response skills to help meet immediate, basic needs. This includes collaboration and making appropriate referrals with a continuum of services within the Access Health Centre and across the Island Health Authority.
- Active engagement with people who use drugs (including alcohol) and individuals who are living with, or at risk for, HIV/hepatitis C using a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction and trauma-informed practice.
- Maintain both paper and electronic confidential client files and statistical documents as directed.
- 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.
Support Workers will have a minimum of two years relevant work experience and will demonstrate the following minimum requirements:
- Demonstrated understanding of using a harm reduction approach to engage with people who use illicit substances and other stigmatized populations;
- 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, health care, justice system, etc);
- 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 skills in managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and diffusing techniques;
- Ability to apply sound judgement: stay grounded and use creativity, flexibility and assertiveness when working through complex and often urgent situations;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated commitment to working within a collaborative, team approach and high pressure environment;
- Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them;
“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.”
Applications are due by 5pm on Tuesday, June 13 and should be sent via email to heather.hobbs@avi.org
Your cover letter and resume should be included as one document in the attachment.