Harm Reduction Support Worker

AVI Health and Community Services is a multi-disciplinary community-based organization providing HIV, hepatitis C, and harm reduction services across Vancouver Island. We are seeking a skilled Harm Reduction Support Worker to join our team.

The Harm Reduction Support Worker will provide low-barrier harm reduction services to individuals accessing our programming and services. This includes providing evidence-based educational and harm reduction interventions to increase knowledge on harm reduction, substance use, overdose prevention, sexual health, and HIV transmission and prevention strategies.

1. Responsible for harm reduction supply distribution and recovery at office site
2. 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.
3. Provides education, resources, and support regarding safer substance use, safer substance techniques, and safer sex, HIV, hepatitis C, and STIs
4. Assesses for overdose symptoms and responds with rescue breaths and Naloxone for service users on site.
5. Provides overdose prevention education, including education on the administration of Naloxone.
6. Facilitates in-office Naloxone distribution to service users and other community organizations.
7. Provides on-the-spot training in overdose prevention and response.
8. Supports Peer groups that work with AVI, including payment of honoraria.
9. Provides brief support, basic direction, and appropriate referrals to other health and support services.
10. Engages with clients in a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction.
11. Maintains the safety of all program spaces by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents.
12. Works in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services.
13. Keeps electronic records and compiles reports.
14. Maintains both paper and electronic confidential client files as required.
15. Assists with office ordering, supplier communication, and stock records.
16. Manages community distribution of harm reduction supplies and maintains distribution records.
17. Engages in planning, evaluation, and program development as requested by the Manager.
18. Performs other duties as assigned.

1. Diploma in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health & Addictions Support Worker, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and work/lived experience.
2. Minimum of two years' experience working within harm reduction settings.
3. First Aid training and experience responding to critical incidents, including overdose.
4. Valid Class 5 BC Driver's License.
5. Able to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships, with a trauma-informed and decolonial lens.
6. 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.
7. Demonstrated experience working within a harm reduction framework (paid or unpaid) within communities impacted by systemic injustice, colonialism, racism, and criminalization.
8. Demonstrated understanding of the necessary ongoing involvement of people who use drugs in all aspects of the creation and delivery of harm reduction services, to ensure their relevance and success.
9. Demonstrated ability to contribute to a supportive team environment with a focus on developing trust, transparent communication, and critical self-reflection while addressing interpersonal dynamics.
10. Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of local communities who use drugs, safer drug use, safer sex, sex work, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, mental health, etc.
11. Demonstrated understanding of the ongoing impacts of colonialism and racism, and where personal privilege and power as a service provider intersect with it.
12. Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices.
13. Demonstrated understanding of relational, empathetic, person-centered approaches.
14. Demonstrated ability to connect and build trust with a diverse range of folks accessing services, including people who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges.
15. Experience managing potentially hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and de-escalation skills.
16. Demonstrated experience with overdose response, including administration of naloxone, oxygen, and rescue breaths.
17. Ability to stay grounded and use creativity, flexibility, and assertiveness when working through complex and often urgent situations.
18. Experience supporting Peer groups.
19. Ability to problem-solve with creativity, flexibility, and assertiveness in dealing with complex issues.
20. Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them.

• Ability to carry out physical duties of position.
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, clients, community, and other service providers.
• Ability to organize and prioritize.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients and recognize changes in folks.
• Ability to analyze and resolve issues through conflict resolution and crisis interventions skills.
• Advocacy skills.
• Leadership experience.
• Comfortable approaching and initiating conversation with others and ability to build respectful rapport.
• Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Understanding of the psycho-social issues affecting people who use drugs.

• Pay: $31.56/hour to start with stepped increases based on seniority with AVI.
• Number of Positions: 1.
• Hours and Schedule: 31.5 hours/week, Monday to Thursday between 08:45am and 4:00pm, Friday 10:45-3:15pm.
• Start and End date: As soon as possible and ending on return of incumbent.
• Location: AVI Campbell River Office.
• 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. 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 paid an extra 5% in lieu of vacation 5% in lieu of stats, meaning your hourly rate is actually 10% higher than listed.
• Proof of Vaccination Required: AVI is under BC's Health Services Order and continues to require proof of vaccination.
• Hours of Work, Days Off, and Work Area may be subject to change.

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 color, 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.

Accommodation is 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.