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. 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
AVI Health Centre is a Community Health Centre in Nanaimo. We provide Primary Care, HIV, Substance Use, STBBI, PrEP, PEP, and HCV medical services, as well as outreach, supports, and social programming for our clients. We also provide education services for the communities we support and for health and social services students and professionals that work with the same communities. Our Health Centre is located on the Snuneymuxw territories.
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 Positive Wellness Support Worker is responsible for client specific case management and the provision and delivery of direct services to persons living with HIV and/or HCV. The Positive Wellness Support Worker will report to the Community Health Centre Director.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Actively engages with individuals who are living with, or at risk for, HIV and/or HCV, 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.
- Advocates on behalf of clients with various Ministries and agencies to ensure clients receive maximum information and support.
- Provides advocacy to clients by working with them on issues such as housing, medical, legal and other support agencies.
- Provides intake and assessment, brief counseling, crisis counseling, harm reduction counseling, advocacy, and referral.
- Conducts individual or group information sessions, and develops educational materials to meet clients’ needs, as required.
- Provides onsite supervision and support for clients, and continues to develop programming for the resource room.
- Provides information to other service providers, such as government and community-based agencies, medical and educational settings on HIV/AIDS and its effect on the provision of services.
- Works in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services.
- Maintains both paper and electronic confidential client files.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- University degree in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Support Worker, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of two years’ relevant work experience and will demonstrate the following minimum requirements
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License.
- 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.).
- 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.
- Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction/health promotion practices, safer using practices, HIV, HCV, poverty issues, mental health concerns and substance use.
- Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care.
- Experience managing challenging behavior, 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 high volume of client work.
- 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.
Skills and 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 observe and recognize changes in clients.
- Advocacy skills.
- Leadership experience.
- Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations.
Position Details:
- Pay: $26.42/hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU pay grid 34)
- Hours and Schedule: 30 hours a week, Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Start Date: ASPA
- End Date: This is a temporary position covering an employee on a General Leave of Absence, the end date of this position will be based upon the return of the incumbent.
- 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.
- 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.
To Apply: Please send an email to jobs@avi.org letting us know you are interested by 5pm on June 8, 2022.
We strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Queer, who are living with or at risk of HIV, who identify as Indigenous, as a person of colour, as a person who is racialized, as a person living with a disability, as a person who uses or used drugs, as a person with experience engaging in sex work, as a person who lives with HCV, and/or persons who represent a diversity of sexual orientations and genders.