Dispatch, Systems and Screening Navigator

**AVI Health & Community Services (AVI)** is a multi-disciplinary community-based organisation providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We take evidence-based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework to ensure equity and access to services for all.

At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. Every day, we strive to create meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs.

Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centred team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and/or support services.

**AVI Peer Assisted Care Team (CRCL)**:
The AVI Crisis Response, Community Led (CRCL) is funded by the Province of British Columbia and the Canadian Mental Health Association. CRCL is a peer-assisted care program and a mobile crisis response team, led by persons with lived/living experience and mental health professionals who are able to de-escalate crises and develop community care plans with persons experiencing crisis.

The CRCL team is an alternate approach to responding to someone in crisis that focuses on health, well-being and community support. Utilizing a community-based, client centered, trauma-informed response, a peer-assisted model of care has been proven to help individuals navigate mental and social care services and reduce engagement with the justice system and emergency services.

In the spirit of reconciliation and community empowerment, K'ómoks First Nation and AVI Health and Community Services have joined hands to support and create a comprehensive and culturally safe service initiative. KFN provides guidance through the CRCL program development to ensure Indigenous preceptive is woven throughout and supports Indigenous peoples accessing this service.

The CRCL team provides services on the territories of the K'ómoks First Nation.

**JOB SUMMARY**:
The CRCL team will provide acute mobile crisis support and de-escalation services for persons 13 years of age and older experiencing mental health and/or substance use related crises. Working in collaboration with all team members, the Systems, Screening and Dispatch Navigator is the first point of contact via the phone and is responsible for assessment and acuity triage and team dispatch. This role is responsible for determining the level of risk, deciding the most appropriate response, and dispatching/ maintaining communication with teams attending to crisis.

Alongside the team, this role is grounded in person-centered, harm reduction and trauma informed approaches to care, which center the needs and agency of the service user.

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Screening and Dispatch**

Manage the central call line for the CRCL team, including phone lines and through text

Assess and triage calls and text messages from community including assessment screening and triage, while initiating Community Care Plans and resourcing community supports.

Develops support and safety plans for persons in crisis, and/or for Third Party Callers

Consults with community resources, family members and peers, as directed by and appropriate to the caller's needs, as well as participating in trainings, case management, daily debriefing, client follow-up and staff check‐ins.

Where appropriate redirect callers to access pertinent resources, including 911 and/or the crisis line.

Quickly and accurately engages in assessments and obtains all information needed to assist CRCL team in responding to crisis calls.

Gather and share vital and relevant information, liaising between caller and CRCL team, updating CRCL team of status/status change of person in crisis.

Provides non-judgmental emotional telephone and text support and crisis intervention, including assessment, problem solving and community resourcing.

Completes a thorough assessment of suicidal ideation and/or homicidally, including planning or attempt in progress.

Uses assessment and screening tools to determine urgency and involves CRCL Team or other emergency services, depending on severity and needs of individual and care provider(s) onsite.

Assess needs and risk of callers, referring to appropriate services and providing short term follow-up during wait times, and until CRCL support can be arranged.

Supports behind the scenes systems, including communication with internal AVI programs, staff scheduling, payroll and leave management.

Consults with community members and resources, as appropriate to client care.

Quickly prioritizes multiple competing tasks using a meth