Harm Reduction Worker (HRW) Consumption & Treatment Service (CTS)

Job title:

Harm Reduction Worker (HRW) Consumption & Treatment Service (CTS)

Company

Somerset West Community Health Centre

Job description

Position Title: Harm Reduction Worker (HRW)Consumption & Treatment Service (CTS)Position: Full Time PermanentDepartment: Family Community Health & Harm ReductionReporting to: Manager, Harm ReductionSalary Band: $26.72 – $32.19Deadline: Wednesday April 24This role is designated for Equity Deserving Groups (EDGs). Identifying as a member of Black, Indigenous and/ or racialized communities, and/or as a person with lived experience of drug use is a requirement for this position. In keeping with our commitment to equity, applicants are encouraged to self-identify in their applications.About SWCHCWe are Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC), a non-profit, community-governed organization that serves over 18,000 clients annually. Established in 1978, SWCHC provides a wide range of health care services such as primary health care, health promotion, community development, mental health, and harm reduction. We are deeply connected to the communities we serve and committed to removing barriers to accessing services for people who are vulnerable because of their age, income, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity, and language or culture.SWCHC strives to ensure that our team reflects the communities we serve. We work within an anti-racist, anti-oppressive framework that acknowledges the existence and impacts of systemic racism and seeks to ensure that systems are fair and equitable for everyone.Job SummaryReporting to the Manager, Harm Reduction, the Harm Reduction Worker (HRW)/Mobile Greeter (MG) works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide health care and treatment to clients of the Consumption & Treatment Service (CTS).As a member of the Harm Reduction Team, the HRW supports all activities within the CTS, including but not limited to: intake & harm reduction gear distribution & disposal; supervision & health teaching for safer drug consumption including injection; crisis intervention; overdose prevention, identification & response including naloxone and oxygen administration; information and referrals; practical assistance; counseling based on self-referrals; advocacy; log keeping & data entry; and case coordination with internal and external service partners in ensuring coordinated, wrap-around care for each CTS client. The HRW will also be responsible for supporting interdisciplinary CTS staff with overdose prevention and intervention, with a strong understanding of CTS client flow, an ability to build trusting rapport with CTS clientele, and intervene in crisis situations to support CTS staff with overdose interventions as needed.The position will also be assisting with the role of Mobile Greeter, stationed primarily on the ground floor, indoors and outdoors. Working collaboratively, this position will have a focus on welcoming and supporting harm reduction clients in their access to the Centre, with a focus on supporting the smooth operations of the CTS within and around the Centre, including liaising internally with Centre staff, programs, and peer workers, and externally with neighbours and the community as needed. This role will have key responsibilities relating to the management of the safety and security of the Centre and CTS clients, including but not limited to directing client flow; doing regular space checks for clients; monitoring and attending to the outside of the building, including daily outdoor clean-ups, client flow management and maintaining designated smoke free outdoor areas. This role will have a key accountability in the identification, response, resolution, follow-up and management of harm reduction client escalations and subsequent access plans/restrictions. This position will have a key responsibility in supporting, coordinating, and supervising peer volunteers in their shift duties.Requirements

• This role is designated for Equity Deserving Groups (EDGs). Identifying as a member of Black, Indigenous and/ or racialized communities, or as a person with lived experience of drug use is a requirement for this position. In keeping with our commitment to equity, applicants are encouraged to self-identify in their applications.
• Degree in Social Work (BSW); Social Service Work; or related health discipline plus three years’ experience and passion for working with high-risk populations and active drug users OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Create a welcoming presence for all clients of the Centre, and in particular welcome and support Harm Reduction clients and those accessing the CTS.
• Work collaboratively with the reception staff.
• Early response to any situations that require de-escalation. Support harm reduction clients in particular with any symptoms they are having related to substance use, mental health, or trauma, and getting team support when needed to support de-escalations quickly and effectively.
• Ensuring the safe access and use of the Centre during evenings and weekends
• Commitment to working from a health equity and anti-oppressive lens.
• Experience in advocacy for persons who use drugs considered an asset.
• Excellent knowledge and experience regarding harm reduction approaches
• Good understanding of health promotion, HIV and HCV transmission, Hepatitis A,B and C, STI’s
• Experience in a drop-in, outreach or shelter setting is an asset.
• Experience supporting people living with homelessness, mental health, and addictions challenges.
• Experience in overdose response is an asset.
• Experience working within Medical Directives an asset.
• Experience and knowledge in working with regulated health professionals an asset.
• Certification in oxygen therapy and airway management an asset
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends, including 12-hr shifts.
• Must be available to work rotational schedule.
• Schedules are subject to change based on the operational needs of the service.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Superior positivity, commitment, and passion for supporting the lives of the people who use drugs we have the honor of working alongside.
• Superior skills in presenting a warm, welcoming, and calming presence.
• Superior skills in relationship-building, rapport-building, negotiation, de-escalation, and boundaries management
• Superior skills in non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation
• Knowledge of best practice guidelines for individuals with substance use, supervised injection/consumption services, and suicide assessment.
• Demonstrate and advocate for welcoming practices that are anchored in trauma-informed practices.
• Knowledge of substances frequently used in the CTS service user population, psychoactive properties & possible drug interactions.
• Knowledge and ability to screen and assess for risk of overdose & withdrawal.
• Skills in creating care plans for clients. Experience creating care plans for clients experiencing dysregulation, violence & aggression as an asset.
• Sound judgment and strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities and manage time effectively.
• Knowledge of health promotion, disease prevention, behaviour change and health teaching.
• Strong clinical assessment skills
• Demonstrated ability and clinical expertise working with clients in crisis.
• Knowledge of concurrent mental health distress presentations including psychosis, trauma, and emotional dysregulation
• Knowledge of harm reduction approach and service delivery
• Effective organizational, critical thinking, problem solving and independent decision-making skills.
• Ability to delegate
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to work with people with concurrent disorders.
• Ability to work under stress with multiple demands.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Knowledge of legislation, acts and regulations that govern nursing practice.
• Valid CPR and First Aid
• Successful completion of police record check for vulnerable populations

Language Capability

• Fluency in English required. Working knowledge of French is an asset.

**It is the policy of SWCHC to require COVID-19 immunization for all employees, volunteers, and students, including those who work off-site with the following exceptions: Persons with a medical reason that prevents them from being vaccinated against COVID-19; Persons with other reasonable considerations pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code that restrict them from being vaccinated against Covid 19 vaccination.**Somerset West Community Health Centre is an equal opportunity employer who values the diversity of individuals in our programs and services.We welcome and encourage applications from members of Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, LGBTQ+ people; people with disabilities; and members of other equity deserving communities. Applicants are encouraged to share accessibility needs in the application process, and every attempt will be made to accommodate them.Due to the high volume of applicants, we can neither confirm receipt of nor respond to inquiries regarding your application. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Expected salary

Location

Ottawa, ON

Job date

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 00:00:36 GMT

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