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.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Intensive Case Management Team (ICMT) is a multi-disciplinary team that operates as a partnership between AVI Health and Community Services and Island Health. People are hired as AVI employees and work in cooperation with Island Health staff.
The ICMT is an outreach team that practices from a harm reduction, strengths-based philosophy and partners with individuals who are actively using substances. The ICMT respects and acknowledges personal differences and promotes a focus on the assets and abilities of the person and their environment. People partnering with the ICMT require more intensive services than are available in the traditional mental health and substance use system of care. The ICMT services includes street outreach and providing services in the community, meeting people where they are to be found.
Our ICM Team provides services on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations).
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Actively engages with people who use substances and individuals who are living with, or at risk for, HIV/Hepatitis C, using a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction
- Uses brief assessment, active listening and crisis response skills to help meet immediate, basic needs and make appropriate referrals to other health and support services
- Establishes client care plan in collaboration with the client, and the team
- Provides outreach-based supports in the community including accompaniment to appointments, home visits, eviction prevention, and advocacy in accordance with the established client care plans
- Distributes and recovers harm reduction supplies, and provides education and support on safer drug use, safer sex, HIV, hepatitis C, and STIs
- Works in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services within AVI and the Island Health Authority
- Maintains confidential paper and electronic case notes and communicates clearly to coworkers in the communication log
- Fosters safety by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents (such as overdose and other medical emergencies), including the ability to use a cell phone
- Engages in planning, evaluation, reporting, and program development as directed
- Performs other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education, Training, and Experience:
University degree in health or social services (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:
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License and use of own vehicle for work purposes
- 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 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
- Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and diffusing techniques
- Ability to problem solve with creativity, flexibility, assertiveness and a cool head in dealing with complex issues
- 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 full caseload within a case management model
SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position
- Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others
- Ability to operate related equipment
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Ability to organize and prioritize
- Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients
- Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients
- Ability to analyze and resolve problems
- Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills
- Advocacy skills
- Leadership experience
- Ability to work with a diverse clientele facing significant structural vulnerability
- 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
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Understanding of diversity issues
- Understanding of the psycho-social issues affecting people who use substances
POSITION DETAILS:
- Pay: $31.54/hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU pay grid 35)
- Term: This position is an ongoing position
- Location, Hours and Schedule: Working out of 713 Johnson Street but may be moving to 941 Pandora later this year. It is a full time position (37.5 hours/week) that runs Sunday to Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm.
- Hours and Location may vary
- 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.
- Benefits: This position will be eligible for extended health, life and AD&D coverage after 488 hours with AVI. AVI pays for the entire cost of the plan on behalf of its staff.
- Pension: If you are already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP), you can continue with them at AVI immediately. If not, after 488 hours, you will be eligible to join the Municipal Pension Plan. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account.
- Other Perks: This position gets 6% vacation (equivalent to 3 weeks), receives a paid day off for every Stat Holiday and Easter Monday and accrues a Sick Bank of 6.9%. Sick and Vacation Days are both available to be used after your first 488 hours at AVI.
TO APPLY:
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@avi.org. This posting is open until filled.
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.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
As AVI is a union environment, internal staff will be prioritized in the hiring process.
We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.