Job Posting: Street Outreach Worker - Closed

POSITION TITLE: Street Outreach Worker

DEPARTMENT: Street Outreach Services

SUPERVISIOR: Program Manager

BARGAINING UNIT: Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association

CLASSIFICATION: Pending Grid 10 - $19.72 per hour

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JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Manager of Street Outreach Services or the Shift Supervisor, the Street Outreach Worker will provide effective, comprehensive and accessible harm reduction and health promotion services in all aspects of the Street Outreach Services program.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Harm Reduction
a. Provides needle exchange services, distributing condoms, lubricant, alcohol swabs and other harm reduction supplies, as well as harm reduction/health promotion information.
b. Performs client intake and maintains the confidential client data base, collecting/recording accurate statistics for the needle exchange program.
c. Provides outreach and safe recovery of used syringes to the downtown community.

2. General Shift Responsibilities
a. Assists with the training and supervision of casual staff, volunteers and students.
b. Provides support and debriefing to casual staff, students and volunteers

3. Client Assessment and Support
a. Provides intake and assessment, crisis intervention and counselling,
b. Provides active referral and advocacy for clients to housing, medical, legal and other support agencies.
c. Collaborates with community partners to provide continuity of client care plans
d. Provides accompaniment to hospitals, prisons and client appointments when appropriate.

4. Crisis Management
a. Responds and manages any health care crisis and crisis situation: overdoses, suicidal ideation, and aggressive behavior.
b. Manages illegal activity on or near the premises.

5. Health Promotion
a. Delivers education on HIV, hepatitis C, safe injection, abscess management, overdose prevention and management and other health related issues for injection drug users.
b. Participates in research initiatives on prevention and communicates the results of these to the clients.
c. Assists in the development of peer education initiatives.

6. Community Relations
a. At the direction of the Manager, or Executive Director, participates in panel discussions, forums and conferences on harm reduction/health promotion.

7. Other
a. Participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the department programs.
b. Performs other duties as assigned by the Manager of Street Outreach Services or the Shift Supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in health or social services, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

+ Demonstrated skills in client assessment, counseling and individual advocacy
+ Demonstrated understanding of addiction, harm reduction, HIV, hepatitis C and mental health issues
+ Demonstrated experience working with marginalized and street involved clientele
+ Ability to work within a harm reduction setting
+ Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations
+ Strong interpersonal and communication skills
+ Demonstrated knowledge of health and social service systems
+ A Class 5 driver’s license
+ Level 1 first aid an asset

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Please submit written applications outlining qualification and experience by email to George Pine at george.pine(at)avi.org by the closing date of 4pm, May 2, 2008.

There is one regular 30 hour a week position and casual positions available. Please note the hours of operation for these positions are Monday to Saturday 3.30pm to 11pm and 5pm to 9pm on Sundays.

No phone inquiries, please. We thank everyone for applying but will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

Download a pdf of this posting here.