Navigation & Support Specialist

Turning Point Society is striving towards healthier, safer communities for all through the agency’s service in Red Deer and Central Alberta for over 30 years. Turning Point is a progressive, non-profit organization actively engaged in changing the conversation surrounding drug use, people who use drugs, homelessness, HIV and vulnerable populations. As a team member, you will gain knowledge in the following areas: HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections; Naloxone; Overdose Prevention Site/ Supervised Consumption Services; sex-trade and survival sex; substance use; homelessness; LBGTQ supports; comprehensive sexual health; harm reduction supply distribution; supportive housing; and community support networks. You will also be part of a supportive team that encourages personal and professional growth.

**Position Title**:Navigation & Support Specialist

**Reports to**:Program Manager

**Hours of Work**:35 hours per week

**Job Purpose**:To contribute to the work of the multi-disciplinary team in promoting respect and dignity for all through education and support relating to sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) associated with high-risk behaviours, such as IV drug use and unprotected sex.

**Actively promoting Turning Point as a resource for people who use drugs, while providing holistic STBBI prevention services responding to the target population's specific health issues including**:

- Provide drug use information, capacity building and tools
- Safety information related to their sexual and/or drug engagement risks (i.e. overdose, abscess)
- Develop/maintain trusting, caring, non-judgmental and supportive relationships individuals accessing Turning Point services
- Assist the Rural Outreach program in ensuring all vulnerable populations in rural Central Alberta can access Turning Point as a support
- Encourage testing and treatment for STBBIs
- Systems navigation support
- Psycho-social support
- Facilitate linkage to health and social services
- Provide relevant health information based on individual need
- Market available distribution routes and debris disposal options

**Provide holistic STBBI support services responding to the target population's specific health needs**:

- Provide STBBI information, capacity building and tools
- One on one support to all people living with HIV and/or Hep C on the Harm Reduction case load
- Safety information related to their sexual and/or drug engagement risks
- Systems navigation support
- Emotional support, establishing supportive and trusting relationship with service users
- Provide health information based on individual need
- Facilitate access to and encourage testing for STBBIs
- Facilitate access to and retention in treatment of STBBIs
- Facilitate access to telehealth services
- Facilitate linkage to health and social services

**General Duties**
- Contribute to the work of the multi-disciplinary team
- Participate in staff meetings
- Supervise students, contractors or volunteers as identified
- Adhere to established goals and objectives
- Support the participation of individuals affected by STBBI’s and services users in all aspects of Turning Point
- Maintain current knowledge and skills
- Cleaning, stocking and supplying designated areas (including seating area and client restroom)
- Monitoring the space within office to ensure safety of services users, staff, volunteers, and community members
- Responding to emergency situations as they arise
- Attend agency functions as required
- Other tasks as assigned by the Management Team
- Manage communications (calls, faxes and mail, etc.)
- Support other team members as time allows

**Program Development, Evaluation and Reporting**:

- Maintain program delivery records
- Participate in evaluation and reporting activities, including program planning that is evidence-based and locally relevant
- Projects related to funded activities
- Submit required reports to the Program Manager
- Meet regularly with supervisor for consultation and activity updates

**Community**
- Promote and facilitate the participation of target populations in regional, provincial and national activities
- Create awareness about STBBIs and related issues in the community
- Teach interested people about and share accomplishments of Turning Point
- Collaborate on common activities

**Qualifications**:

- A diploma in social sciences, health or related field and/or combination of education and work experience is preferable
- Experience working with marginalized individuals
- Commitment to harm reduction principals
- Knowledge, experience or willingness to learn about substance dependence, drug practice and culture, communicable diseases, sexual health, vulnerable populations, affected populations, mental health, and concurrent disorders
- Flexibility, creativity, motivation, enthusiasm, and an inclusive and equitable non-judgmental attitude
- Ability to demonstrate self-awareness of own beliefs and biases