Pwp System Navigator- Part Time

**AVI HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES (AVI)** is a multi-disciplinary community-based organization, 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 work within a social justice and health promotion framework - ensuring equity and access to services for all - and from a harm reduction perspective, understanding that clients are the best sources of knowledge regarding the services and supports they need.

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.

The Positive Wellness Program System Navigator is responsible for the provision and delivery of direct services to persons living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C. We aim to provide HIV care and support to underserved populations in the Greater Victoria area. Under the supervision of the program manager the system navigator will use a harm reduction model to give care and support to a wide variety of service users at 713 Johnson and in the community.

The Positive Wellness Program Victoria is located on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations).

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
1. Actively engages with individuals who are living with, HIV/HCV, using a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction

2. Work with community partners to help identify under supported people living with HIV/HCV and get them connected to appropriate supports.

4. Work with clients on issues such as housing, medical, legal and other support agencies

5. Visit clients at their homes and attend appointments with service providers in the community.

6. Distribute harm reduction supplies and provides education and support regarding safer substance use and safer sex

7. Conduct individual or group education or support sessions, and compiles educational materials to meet clients’ needs, as required

8. Provide onsite supervision, support and continues to develop the client drop-in program

9. Support the PWP Nutrition Program by supervising the drop in space and helping compile the lunch orders.

10. Deliver meals on foot or in a vehicle to clients.

11. Maintain both paper and electronic confidential client files

12. Support reception staff with answering phones and the distribution of harm reduction supplies.

13. Perform other duties as assigned

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- University degree in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology etc.), or equivalent combination of education and work/lived/living experience
- 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.
- Minimum of three years’ relevant work experience
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License with “Normal” Drivers Status an asset
- Driver’s Abstract (AVI will review the past year’s driving record. Drivers will need to have no suspensions or prohibitions or 1 passenger only restrictions or a high Driver's Factor)
- Experience doing outreach work with marginalized populations.
- Understanding of the impact on individual health and well-being, as well as the considerations for service delivery related to systemic barriers associated with poverty, mental health, substance use, trauma, racism, ongoing colonialism, heterosexism, and gender discrimination
- Experience working with community partners in various settings.
- Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and direct service delivery and advocacy experience with community-based and provincial support services and systems (financial aid, housing, healthcare, justice system, etc.)
- Able to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships, with a trauma informed and decolonial lens.
- Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction/health promotion practices, safer using practices, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, poverty issues, mental health concerns and substance use
- Demonstrated cultural safety and humility, and trauma‐informed practices.
- Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care
- Experience responding to opioid overdoses
- Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non‐violent communication, and diffusing techniques
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with coworkers, clients, community, and other service providers
- Demonstrated time management and personal organization skills to effectively support a high volume of client work

**SKILLS AND ABILITIES**:

- Commitment to