Company:
AVI Health & Community Services
Details:
Job Summary:
The Harm Reduction Support Worker provides a broad range of low barrier, harm reduction supports to individuals accessing harm reduction programming and services at AIDS Vancouver Island.
The Harm Reduction Support Worker will provide evidence-based educational and harm reduction interventions to individuals and priority populations to increase knowledge regarding HIV and other blood-borne disease transmission and prevention strategies, and facilitate behavior change to prevent transmission.
The Harm Reduction Support Worker will provide oversight, support, and overdose response, including the administration of oxygen or rescue breathing and Naloxone, to people using illicit substances.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Responsible for harm reduction supply distribution and recovery
Provides education and support regarding safer drug use and safer sex, HIV, hepatitis C, and STIs
Provides overdose prevention education and first aid response, including education on the administration of Naloxone
Monitor and support people who are injecting in the Overdose Prevention Room. Assess for overdose symptoms and respond with rescue breathing and naloxone when necessary. Training is provided.
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 within the community
Engages with clients in a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction
Maintains the safety of all program spaces by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents (such as overdose prevention and response), including the ability to use communication devices (cell phone/2-way radio)
Facilitates workshops and support groups related to increasing health and wellness
Works in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services
Maintains both paper and electronic confidential client files as required
Engages in planning, evaluation, and program development as directed
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications & Experience:
Qualifications:
Diploma in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health & Addictions Support Worker, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience
Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License
Harm Reduction Support Workers will have a minimum of one (1) year relevant work experience and will demonstrate the following minimum requirements:
First Aid training and experience responding to critical incidents
Direct service delivery experience in the community social services sector with a demonstrated working knowledge of community-based programs and related provincial and community support services systems
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 understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices
Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges;
Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and de-escalation skills
Experience with overdose response, including administration of naloxone, is an asset.
Ability to apply sound judgement: stay grounded and use creativity, flexibility, and assertiveness when working through complex and often urgent situations
Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, clients, community, and other service providers