Drug Checking Peer Worker

About Sanguen Health Centre

Sanguen Health Centre exists to improve individual and community well-being by providing health and social care for people who face barriers to accessing traditional supports. This includes people living with HCV, people who use drugs, those experiencing homelessness and equity deserving communities.

Our mission is to meet the needs of those in Waterloo Region and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph living with or at risk of Hepatitis C through the provision of education, outreach, support, and comprehensive, expert medical care.

Our vision is to create a future where everyone in our community is empowered, accepted, and cared for in the way they need to thrive.

Summary of the Role

Peers are individuals who have lived experience as a person who has used drugs and/or been street involved. They have insight into the culture of the community Sanguen serves. Their role is focused on deepening the relationships with that community and building trust with the goal of increasing participation in Sanguen's services. Peers also advise and educate Sanguen on how to better care for people with diverse needs.

Peers will operate the drug checking machine. They will also provide training on overdose and naloxone as well as other harm reduction strategies. In addition, Peers will promote the use of the drug checking machine and share other information from the project to community members and to staff at other agencies.

Accountabilities:

Accountabilities of the Drug Checker Peer Support Workers include, but are not limited to:

• Acting as a first point of connection with people who access the drop in space and during mobile stops.
• Operating the drug checking machine
• Supporting relationship-building with people who use drugs including those who enter the the drop in or other Sanguen services and those who do not
• Education, coaching, and training regarding the Drug Checking machine and drug safety in collaboration with Sanguen Harm Reduction team members
• Providing information and being a connector to community members regarding other services such as supports for health, addictions, shelter, food, etc.

Qualifications

• Experience drawing on your lived or living experience related to substance use to support others who use drugs
• Experience supporting others in a community setting (1-5 years)
• Ability to represent Sanguen's values while maintaining positive community relationships
• Demonstrated experience with vulnerable, complex population
• Must be comfortable being around, discussing and working with people who use or have used drugs and compassionate about the barriers faced by people who use drugs
• Must have knowledge of trauma-informed and harm reduction approaches
• Demonstrated experience working in a teamwork environment
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with culturally and economically diverse populations

This role also requires:

• A valid driver's license
• Personal insurance that includes coverage to drive a personal vehicle for work
• As part of our commitment to the health and safety of our staff and community from COVID-19, subject to any accommodation required by applicable human rights legislation, Sanguen Health Centre requires that all staff have received all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada.

Hours and Location of Work

This Peer role is intended to compliment our existing team. This role will have varying hours week to week, and their schedule will include days and evenings, 7 days per week.

The location of work will include 130 Victoria St and various stops for mobile drug checking and other locations where people who may use drugs are spending their time such as drop in centres, shelters or supportive housing in the Kitchener Waterloo/Cambridge area.

The successful candidate must be able to travel to and between these locations by personal vehicle. Mileage will be reimbursed for travel between work locations within a shift.

Compensation

This is an hourly position that pays $25 per hour. Additional compensation and benefits may be available, depending on the working relationship.

Sanguen Health Centre is committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. Should you require any accommodation, please inform us and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs. For any accessibility-related assistance, requests for information in accessible alternative formats or to report any accessibility problems, please share in your application or email , referencing the job post ID number

Sanguen Health Centre is committed to building an environment where everyone feels heard, welcomed and included. Sanguen is a proud equal opportunity workplace that is committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Job Type: Casual

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Work Location: In person