Outreach Team Lead

**JOB TITLE: OUTREACH TEAM LEAD- 30 hours per week**

**REPORT AND ACCOUNTABLE TO: Manager of Harm Reduction Outreach & Education**

**POSITION PURPOSE**:
To provide low threshold street outreach, community outreach and community development to structurally marginalized community members living with or at risk of acquiring HIV/HCV/STBBI. The position aims to reach more persons affected by their substance use earlier and to remain in contact to prevent health damage while not requesting abstinence. This includes community development specific to the needs of people who use drugs, BIPOC communities, and other persons and groups experiencing interlocking systemic barriers related to poverty, racism, and drug policy. It serves to strengthen the connections and relationships between individuals and organizations, to bridge capacities across communities, and to work towards common goals - making communities vibrant and healthy.

**POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES**:
Please note that this position provides operational support and guidance but does not include direct supervisory responsibilities over staff.

**Street Outreach Services**

1. Coordinate outreach activities to serve those at risk of HIV/HCV/STBBI transmission through injection/needle and other means of drug use.

2. Provide outreach services in both urban and rural settings where people congregate and are considered at greater risk of HIV/HCV acquisition and drug poisoning.

3. Recognize and respond to drug poisoning events during in-reach and outreach shifts and administer naloxone as needed.

5. Where appropriate, refer to or deliver brief counselling (crisis intervention/just listening), Indigenous traditional services, and harm reduction teaching, naloxone training, to reduce risk of drug poisoning and HIV/HCV transmission.

6. Provide referrals and bridge connections to other community, social, and health care services, including mental health, addictions, legal primary care, and HIV/HCV care and testing to support member/patients in a continuum of care.

7. Provide practical support to assist with scheduling and transportation to appointments, assistance with identification and access to other social services.

8. Promote the inclusion of people with lived or living experience of drug use within local harm reduction outreach programs (i.e. recruit, assist with training, and support people with lived and living experience in their roles).

9. Assist with supervision/mentoring of trained and approved placement students, volunteers, and peers working within the street outreach services.

10. Act as a bridge between the street and in-house services, as well as external services offered by community partners.

**Community Outreach & Development**

Connect with community partners to deliver presentations, workshops, education, and to provide referrals to priority populations (people who use substances, people at risk of or living with HIV and /or HCV), as well as collaborate to provide wellness programming to community members.

1. Working collaboratively with community partners, create opportunities to meet with potential/existing members within their sites to establish/maintain contact.

2. Provide referrals and supports to those who use substances to bridge individuals to HIV/HCV/STBBI testing, treatment and support services as appropriate..

3. Provide ongoing risk/harm reduction information/education/materials to those at risk of HIV/HCV transmission.

4. Actively seek out new opportunities to provide harm reduction workshops within the agency’s catchment area.

**Outreach Services Training**

1. By working collaboratively with the Manager of Harm Reduction Outreach and Education as well as the outreach team, provide guidance and mentorship of trained and approved placement students and community workers to provide in-reach and outreach services.

2. The Outreach Team Lead will work in alongside the Manager of Harm Reduction Outreach and Education to ensure that the outreach team is supported and connected to professional development opportunities.

**Administration**

1. Maintain member/patients records and database including contact information, activities, and member/patients service history when appropriate (in-office services versus outreach services).

2. Ensure that files are secure, confidential and have all necessary backups.

3. Ensure that all necessary reports are completed and submitted to the appropriate sources meeting set deadlines.

4. Recommend program changes to the leadership team as appropriate.

5. Assist and implement with the evaluation of all program activities.

6. Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures set out by the Board of Directors of Réseau ACCESS Network.

7. Assist with the regular upkeep of Réseau ACCESS Network offices.

8. Participate as a team member in all team functions - program planning, team meetings, inter-team meetings, weekly outreach meetings and case conferences.

9. Provid