Positive Wellness Program System Navigator

**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.

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.

**The Positive Wellness Program System Navigator** is responsible for the provision and delivery of direct services to persons living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C. We aim to provide HIV care and support to underserved populations in the Greater Victoria area. Under the supervision of the program manager the system navigator will use a harm reduction model to give care and support to a wide variety of service users at 713 Johnson and in the community. This role will use a harm reduction model to give care and support to a wide variety of service users at 713 Johnson and in the community.

**The Positive Wellness Program Victoria** is located on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations).

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Actively engages with individuals who are living with, or at risk for, HIV/Hepatitis C, using a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction
- Work with community partners to help identify under supported people living with HIV and get them connected to appropriate supports.
- Work with clients on issues such as housing, medical, legal and other support agencies
- Visit clients at their homes and attends appointments with service providers in the community.
- Distribute harm reduction supplies and provides education and support regarding safer substance use and safer sex
- Conduct individual or group education or support sessions, and compiles educational materials to meet clients’ needs, as required
- Provide onsite supervision, support and continues to develop the client drop-in program
- Deliver meals on foot or in a vehicle to clients and work with our nutritionist to help serve and bag meals for clients
- Maintain both paper and electronic confidential client files
- Support reception staff with answering phones and the distribution of harm reduction supplies.
- Perform other duties as assigned

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- University degree in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology etc.), or equivalent combination of education and work/lived/living experience
- 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.
- Minimum of two years’ relevant work experience
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License with “Normal” Drivers Status
- Driver’s Abstract (AVI will review the past year’s driving record. Drivers will need to have no suspensions or prohibitions or 1 passenger only restrictions or a high Driver's Factor)
- Experience doing outreach work with marginalized populations.
- 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
- Experience working with community partners in various settings.
- Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and Direct service delivery and advocacy experience with community-based and provincial support services and systems (financial aid, housing, healthcare, justice system, etc.)
- Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction/health promotion practices, safer using practices, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, poverty issues, mental health concerns and substance use
- Demonstrated cultural safety and humility, and trauma‐informed practices.
- Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care
- Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non‐violent communication, and diffusing techniques
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with coworkers, clients, community, and other service providers
- Demonstrated time management and personal organization skills to effectively support a high volume of client work

**SKILLS AND ABILITIES**:

- Commitment to honor local indigenous communities and a dedication to lessen