AVI HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community based organization, 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 work within a social justice and health promotion framework – ensuring equity and access to services for all – and from a harm reduction perspective, understanding that clients are the best sources of knowledge regarding the services and supports they need.
At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. AVI provides comprehensive, accessible and effective education, prevention, care, treatment and support services to residents of Vancouver Island with offices in Victoria, the Westshore, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley and Campbell River. 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.
The Positive Wellness Program System Navigator is responsible for the provision and delivery of direct services to persons living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C. We aim to provide HIV care and support to underserved populations in the Greater Victoria area. Under the supervision of the program manager the system navigator will use a harm reduction model to give care and support to a wide variety of service users at 713 Johnson and in the community. This role will use a harm reduction model to give care and support to a wide variety of service users at 713 Johnson and in the community.
The Positive Wellness Program Victoria is located on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations).
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- 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
- Work with community partners to help identify under supported people living with HIV and get them connected to appropriate supports.
- 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
- Work with clients on issues such as housing, medical, legal and other support agencies
- Visit clients at their homes and attends appointments with service providers in the community.
- Distribute harm reduction supplies and provides education and support regarding safer substance use and safer sex
- Conduct individual or group education or support sessions, and compiles educational materials to meet clients’ needs, as required
- Provide onsite supervision, support and continues to develop the client drop-in program
- Deliver meals on foot or in a vehicle to clients and work with our nutritionist to help serve and bag meals for clients
- Maintain both paper and electronic confidential client files
- Support reception staff with answering phones and the distribution of harm reduction supplies.
- Perform other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS:
- University degree in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology etc.), or equivalent combination of education and work/lived/living experience
- To comply with current BC Public Health Orders, must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an approved medical exemption. Proof of vaccination status will be required for successful applicants for positions covered by the order.
- Minimum of two years’ relevant work experience
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License with “Normal” Drivers Status
- Driver’s Abstract (AVI will review the past year’s driving record. Drivers will need to have no suspensions or prohibitions or 1 passenger only restrictions or a high Driver's Factor)
- Experience doing outreach work with marginalized populations.
- 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 working with community partners in various settings.
- Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and 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 harm reduction/health promotion practices, safer using practices, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, poverty issues, mental health concerns and substance use
- Demonstrated cultural safety and humility, and trauma‐informed practices.
- 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
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with coworkers, clients, community, and other service providers
- 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
- Ability to build rapport and trust with a marginalized population.
- Dedicated approach to work with community partners to locate underserved person’s living with HIV.
- 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
POSITION DETAILS:
- Pay: $28.56/hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU paygrid 38
- Hours and Schedule: 28 hours per week position. 9:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Thursday. Hours are flexible
- Location: AVI Victoria Office
- Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2019-2022 and this role is a BCGEU union position.
- Position Type: Regular, Part Time
- 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. At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account. If you are not already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan, part time staff may become eligible after 2 years with AVI.
- Other Perks: This position gets 6% vacation (equivalent to 3 weeks), receives Stat In Lieu payments of 4.6% on each paycheque and has a Sick Bank of 6.9%. Sick and Vacation are both accessible after your first 488 hours at AVI.
- Proof of Vaccination Required: AVI is under BC's Health Services Order and continues to require proof of vaccination and masking.
- Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.
TO APPLY:
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@avi.org by 5 pm on February 9th, 2023.
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.
It is beneficial to identify in the cover letter if you are Indigenous and/or have lived/living expertise relevant to the position.
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.