Harm Reduction Worker

**Position Title**: Harm Reduction Worker (HRW)

Consumption & Treatment Service (CTS)

**Position**: Full Time Permanent

**Department**: Family Community Health & Harm Reduction

**Reporting to**: Manager, Harm Reduction

**Salary Band**: $26.72 - $32.19

**Deadline**: Wednesday April 24
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About SWCHC

We are Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC), a non-profit, community-governed organization that serves over 18,000 clients annually. Established in 1978, SWCHC provides a wide range of health care services such as primary health care, health promotion, community development, mental health, and harm reduction. We are deeply connected to the communities we serve and committed to removing barriers to accessing services for people who are vulnerable because of their age, income, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity, and language or culture.

SWCHC strives to ensure that our team reflects the communities we serve. We work within an anti-racist, anti-oppressive framework that acknowledges the existence and impacts of systemic racism and seeks to ensure that systems are fair and equitable for everyone.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Harm Reduction, the Harm Reduction Worker (HRW)/Mobile Greeter (MG) works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide health care and treatment to clients of the Consumption & Treatment Service (CTS).

As a member of the Harm Reduction Team, the HRW supports all activities within the CTS, including but not limited to: intake & harm reduction gear distribution & disposal; supervision & health teaching for safer drug consumption including injection; crisis intervention; overdose prevention, identification & response including naloxone and oxygen administration; information and referrals; practical assistance; counseling based on self-referrals; advocacy; log keeping & data entry; and case coordination with internal and external service partners in ensuring coordinated, wrap-around care for each CTS client. The HRW will also be responsible for supporting interdisciplinary CTS staff with overdose prevention and intervention, with a strong understanding of CTS client flow, an ability to build trusting rapport with CTS clientele, and intervene in crisis situations to support CTS staff with overdose interventions as needed.

The position will also be assisting with the role of Mobile Greeter, stationed primarily on the ground floor, indoors and outdoors. Working collaboratively, this position will have a focus on welcoming and supporting harm reduction clients in their access to the Centre, with a focus on supporting the smooth operations of the CTS within and around the Centre, including liaising internally with Centre staff, programs, and peer workers, and externally with neighbours and the community as needed. This role will have key responsibilities relating to the management of the safety and security of the Centre and CTS clients, including but not limited to directing client flow; doing regular space checks for clients; monitoring and attending to the outside of the building, including daily outdoor clean-ups, client flow management and maintaining designated smoke free outdoor areas. This role will have a key accountability in the identification, response, resolution, follow-up and management of harm reduction client escalations and subsequent access plans/restrictions. This position will have a key responsibility in supporting, coordinating, and supervising peer volunteers in their shift duties.

**Requirements**:
Degree in Social Work (BSW); Social Service Work; or related health discipline plus three years' experience and passion for working with high-risk populations and active drug users OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Create a welcoming presence for all clients of the Centre, and in particular welcome and support Harm Reduction clients and those accessing the CTS.
Work collaboratively with the reception staff.
Early response to any situations that require de-escalation. Support harm reduction clients in particular with any symptoms they are having related to substance use, mental health, or trauma, and getting team support when needed to support de-escalations quickly and effectively.
Ensuring the safe access and use of the Centre during evenings and weekends
Commitment to working from a health equity and anti-oppressive lens.
Experience in advocacy for persons who use drugs considered an asset.
Excellent knowledge and experience regarding harm reduction approaches
Good understanding of health promotion, HIV and HCV transmission, Hepatitis A,B and C, STI's
Experience in a drop-in, outreach or shelter setting is an asset.
Experience supporting people living with homelessness, mental health, and addictions challenges.
Experience in overdose response is an asset.
Experience working within Medical Directives an asset.
Experience and knowledge in working with regulated health profes