Mobile Overdose Prevention Worker

The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) is a multi-service agency that includes Central Neighbourhood House, Neighbourhood Link Support Services and St. Stephen’s Community House

JOB OPPORTUNITY Job# TNG2025-104

POSITION TITLE: Mobile Overdose Prevention Worker (5 Positions)

DEPARTMENT: Urban Health & Homelessness Services

STATUS: Regular Part-Time, CUPE 7797

HRS / WEEK: 18

CONTRACT DATE: n/a

REPORT TO: Supervisor, Outreach Services

HOURLY RATE: $29.95

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub demonstration project is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative initiative between the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, and 11 partnered organizations. Through a “hub and spoke” model we will provide culturally safe and trauma informed services to individuals with complex health and social care needs. Services will include primary care and substance use care (continuum of treatment, recovery and harm reduction); mental health care and support services; supportive housing including shelter and transition beds; and social services including peer support, case management, and employment supports. Urban Health and Homelessness Services of The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) is looking for experienced individuals with lived and living experience of drug use for our Mobile Overdose Prevention Project. The Mobile OD Prevention Workers will engage with people in our community who are experiencing homelessness, particularly those who are at risk for overdose, to assess their needs and connect them to services, including housing, ID services, income supports, etc. Working as part of the UHHS team, and with community partners, the Mobile OD Prevention Workers will build trust with people in our community, respond to overdoses, ensure basic needs are met, and refer them to further supports.

MAJOR DUTIES:

- Provide overdose prevention support in the community, including nasal and injection naloxone, as well as education and support to enable people to be able to reduce their risk of overdose
- Work with homeless and at-risk individuals requiring support and education around drug use, acting as a point of contact for resources, information and referrals
- Support client engagement initiatives within the agency including the volunteer program and peer development initiatives
- Maintain current and accurate statistics as required
- With a team, engage with local community members who are outside to build relationships and assess needs
- Work together with staff team to ensure safety.
- Work with our partners at the Parkdale Queen West HART Hub, to ensure community members get connected to health care and other services.
- Cooperate with team members in preventing and appropriately handling crises during the shift.
- Refer program participants to the services they need in the community
- Participate in debriefing and supervisory meetings and attend training sessions
- Ensure service user confidentiality is maintained on all matters.
- Follow COVID and other safety protocols
- UHHS uses a Restorative Justice model to resolve conflicts. All staff must be willing to participate in and follow this model
- Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

- Lived and living experience with street level substance use is required
- Professional experience with overdose prevention and reversal, using both naloxone and oxygen therapy
- Strong verbal communication skills and a friendly manner
- Ability to work in a multicultural/multiracial organization and a dynamic community-based setting with marginalized individuals
- Able to stand, walk and be outside in all weather, and carry up to 45lbs.
- Adherence to our Code of Conduct, procedures for limits, boundaries and safe work is required
- Experience working with people experiencing homelessness
- Commitment to and experience working from a client-centred, non-judgemental model, and experience educating and coaching others in strategies for safer drug use, including abstinence. Must have a drug positive and sex-positive attitude
- Certified training in Non-Violent Crisis Prevention and Intervention and 1st Aid, or willingness to be trained
- Ability and willingness to abide by Health and Safety protocols

**Job Type**: Part-time

Pay: $29.95 per hour

Expected hours: 18 per week

Application question(s):

- Do you have lived and or/ living experience with street level substance use?
- Do you have professional experience with overdose prevention and reversal, using both naloxone and oxygen therapy?

Work Location: In person