Safer Workforce/ 713 Pss Systems Navigator

**SAFER **is a flexible, community-based, harm reduction program that provides safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic drug supply. SAFER is located on the territories of the Lekwungen peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations). The SAFER Harm Reduction Workforce program provides dedicated access to prescribed safe supply for people who work in harm reduction services and otherwise meet the criteria for the service. The SAFER 713 Prescribed Safe Supply program provides access to prescribed safe supply for people who access the 713 drop-in who meet the criteria for service.

**JOB SUMMARY**:
Under the direct supervision of the Workforce/ 713 PSS Coordinator and SAFER Program Manager, the _**SAFER Workforce/ 713 PSS Systems Navigator **_will provide coordination, care-planning and system navigation for the Harm Reduction Workforce and 713 PSS programs. They will coordinate care in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team. They will practice harm reduction in their relationships to build trust and assist participants in their engagement with the program and connect them to other health and social supports. This role will provide support to participants accessing pharmaceutical alternatives through the Workforce and 713 PSS programs.

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
1. Provide assessments, intake and care planning and light case management to identified participants in the HRWP, including identifying and addressing any barriers to accessing prescribed safe supply. (PSS)

2. Use System User Design and Nothing About Us Without Us principles to develop the program and ensure continuous feedback is incorporated into program design and delivery.

3. Work both independently (under the Working Alone Policy, when appropriate) and collaboratively with the SAFER team to provide psychosocial supports for participants in the community, as well as at the program site as appropriate/if required for minimum staffing.

4. Work in partnership with the participants to support resolution of any issues with prescribers, pharmacies and other external providers.

5. Provide outreach-based supports in the community including accompaniment to appointments, home visits, and advocacy in accordance with the established care plans.

8. Work with SAFER participants and team to navigate administrative and financial requirements for access to pharmaceuticals according to care plan.

9. Liaise between SAFER participants and SAFER team members to support participants and assist with collaborative and proactive problem-solving as needed.

10. Maintain confidential records in accordance with privacy requirements.

11. Engage in planning, evaluation, reporting, and program development as required.

12. Foster safety by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents.

13. Assist with overdose response other medical emergencies as required.

14. Perform other duties as assigned.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- University degree in health or social services, Counselling, Social Work, Psychology, etc. or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of four years of demonstrated experience in the direct delivery of social services, ideally in harm reduction services including light case management and safe supply programs.
- 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.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, program participants, community, and other service providers.
- Direct service delivery and advocacy experience with community-based and provincial support services and systems (income, housing, healthcare, legal systems, etc.).
- Demonstrated practice of social justice, anti-racism, decolonization and trauma-informed
- Demonstrated understanding of public health and equity-oriented models of social support and health care.
- Commitment to harm reduction principles and practice, with experience working alongside coworkers, and with program participants, who experience intersecting systemic oppression.
- Commitment to honor local indigenous communities and to recognize the ongoing impacts of colonial violence.
- Demonstrated ability to provide support and advocate for a diverse range of individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant barriers to their health and well-being.
- Demonstrated empathic observer invested in respectful relationship-building.
- Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and diffusing techniques.
- Ability to problem solve with creativity, flexibility, assertiveness and a ‘cool head’ in dealing with complex issues.
- Experience with data collection and reporting tasks.
- First Aid certification and experience responding to critical incidents and overdose, includin