Crisis Responder

**AVI Health & Community Services (AVI)** is a multi-disciplinary community-based organisation 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 take evidence-based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework to ensure equity and access to services for all.

At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. Every day, we strive to create meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs.

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.

**AVI Crisis Response, Community Led (CRCL)**:
The AVI Crisis Response, Community Led (CRCL) is funded by the Province of British Columbia and the Canadian Mental Health Association. CRCL is a peer-assisted care program and a mobile crisis response team, led by persons with lived/living experience and mental health professionals who are able to de-escalate crises and develop community care plans with persons experiencing crisis.

The CRCL team is an alternate approach to responding to someone in crisis that focuses on health, well-being and community support. Utilizing a community-based, client centered, trauma-informed response, a peer-assisted model of care has been proven to help individuals navigate mental and social care services and reduce engagement with the justice system and emergency services.

In the spirit of reconciliation and community empowerment, K'ómoks First Nation and AVI Health and Community Services have joined hands to support and create a comprehensive and culturally safe service initiative. KFN provides guidance through the CRCL program development to ensure Indigenous preceptive is woven throughout and supports Indigenous peoples accessing this service.

The CRCL team provides services on the territories of the K'ómoks First Nation.

Alongside the team, this role is grounded in person-centered, harm reduction and trauma informed approaches to care, which center the needs and agency of the service user.

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Crisis Response**

CRCL is an emergency response team, supporting persons and their community/family experiencing mental health and substance use related crises.

Model a high degree of cultural competency, including ensuring services are culturally sensitive and incorporate Indigenous knowledge, practices, and approaches to healing and wellness

Ready and able to respond to mental health and substance use related crises,

Triage and adjust responses depending on call acuity, severing and other incoming calls,

Think critically and respond quickly, especially in critical situations and when deciding the next course of action,

Attend back-to-back calls,

Communicate effectively with and follow the direction of the CRCL team’s Dispatch/Coordinator or any supervisor,

Remain responsive to incoming calls up until the end of shift, and/or when Mandatory Emergency Overtime is in effect,

Demonstrate emotional resilience, including and especially within complex situations,

Work effectively as a team, including respectful communication throughout and following an emergency crisis response,

Continuously center the needs of the person experiencing crisis

Effectively and professionally engage other care providers, including when advocating for a person in crisis, and/or when critically assessing and determining the next course of action,

Develop comprehensive safety plans and establish post crisis follow-up care, centering the needs of the person in crisis.

Situational Awareness, Scene Safety and Unpredictable Working Conditions

CRCL works in environments and conditions that many change quickly, including with persons who may be or become escalated.

Utilize a trauma informed approach, including with persons who are escalated and who use language or express beliefs that could be offensive or triggering for staff,

Decenter themselves to provide care to all persons accessing our services,

Utilize situational awareness, assessment, de-escalation, and mental health training to work safely within changing and unpredictable environments,

Be prepared for and able to adapt to changing work environments, including:
All kinds of weather

For extended periods

Within and around diverse types of substance use

Within and around respiratory illnesses

Within potentially hazardous dwellings

Within unknown and unpredictable environments

Perform in-person assessment to critically assess and determine the next course of action, includin