Harm Reduction Worker

**Organization Introduction**:
At Margaret’s Housing & Community Support Services Inc., our mission is to provide a continuum of housing and support services for individuals who struggle with addiction, substance abuse, and mental health challenges through an array of innovative programs, advocacy, and education which empowers individuals to build and reclaim their lives.

Margaret’s hosts a collaborative work environment, built of employees who share our core values of being compassionate, respectful, and innovative and strongly believe in empowering and providing support to vulnerable individuals in need. We support open communication and strongly encourage employees to take a direct, hands-on approach to their work as part of a team that plays an instrumental role in providing support services to our clients and residents.

**Job Purpose**:
The Harm Reduction Worker plays a key role in providing direct supports to individuals who engage in substance use. The incumbent will offer harm reduction education, crisis intervention, referrals, and on-going case management to promote safe substance use practices, health and well-being, and supports in navigating community resources.

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Conduct outreach to individuals using substances in and around our Drop-In and Respite Centres, encampments, and other locations where harm reduction support is needed
- Provide harm reduction supplies and one-on-one counselling, assessment, and crisis intervention to individuals experiencing substance use issues
- Provide clients with information about addiction issues and about available services and drug treatment programs, and make appropriate referrals when necessary
- Vaccines,
- HIV Testing,
- Hepatitis, etc.
- Support clients in managing overdose risk, including recognizing overdose symptoms, administering naloxone, and engaging emergency services when necessary
- Build trusting relationships with clients, fostering a non-judgmental and trauma-informed approach to service delivery
- Provide crisis de-escalation and emotional support to individuals experiencing distress related to substance use, mental health challenges, or other social determinants of health
- Conduct safety planning for overdose prevention, and post-use safety check-ins with clients (via phone calls, crisis mobile teams, in-person check-ins, etc.)
- Offer short-term case management, assisting clients in navigating the healthcare system, housing services, and other social supports
- Collaborate with clients to develop personalized harm reduction plans that align with their goals and readiness for change
- Plan and implement follow-up and aftercare programs for residents to be discharged from treatment programs
- Advocate for clients in accessing services, ensuring equitable treatment within healthcare and other community resources
- Educate clients, community members, and stakeholders about harm reduction principles, overdose prevention, and the impact of criminalization on people who use drugs
- Reduce stigma around substance use by promoting evidence-based harm reduction approaches in community settings
- Participate in training and capacity-building activities to stay informed on emerging trends in harm reduction and drug policy
- Implement harm reduction programs designed to reduce the risks associated with substance use (e.g., needle exchange programs, overdose prevention education)
- Participate in the harm reduction committee (Respite and Drop-In) to ensure safety during use, and implementation of TSSS standards and Harm Reduction Toolkit, and ensure guidelines related to substance use are being followed
- Collaborate with other service providers, community organizations, and public health authorities to ensure comprehensive support for individuals dealing with substance use and addiction
- Work closely with community partners, including healthcare providers, housing support teams, mental health services, and legal supports
- Liaise and coordinate with the Community Engagement Team to secure harm reduction supplies, ensure equipment is in good state, sharps container pick-up and disposal, and emptying of biohazard waste
- Complete documentation (logbook notes, client notes, harm reduction tracking, death of a shelter resident, etc.), tracking harm reduction supplies given out and gathering client demographic information
- Conduct daily data collection and ensure accurate and timely reporting to the City
- Maintain accurate records of client interactions, referrals, and service outcomes
- Prepare reports on program impact and emerging trends in substance use within the community
- Adhere to confidentiality and ethical guidelines in all client interactions and documentation
- Maintain strong communication with public health and harm reduction teams to ensure coordinated care
- Contribute to program development by identifying service gaps and advocating for improved resources and policies
- Perform other tasks and d