Enhanced Harm Reduction Support Worker- Casual Call

AVI Health and Community Services • Nanaimo, BC

25d • CA$33 - CA$33 • Hybrid

About The Position

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is seeking an Enhanced Harm Reduction Support Worker for casual shifts in Nanaimo. This role is part of a flexible, community-based safe supply model with healthcare provider oversight, aiming to provide safer pharmaceutical alternatives to illicit drugs and affirm the lives of people who use drugs. The Peer Support Worker will utilize their lived/living experience to build relationships, provide peer support, and work collaboratively with a team of nurses and physicians. The goal is to increase accessibility to healthcare and pharmaceutical alternatives, reduce stigma, and build stronger community connections for individuals facing health and social barriers.

Requirements

• A minimum of two years’ experience working within harm reduction outreach settings.
• Lived/living experience with illicit drug use and related health and social barriers such as poverty, homelessness, and/or other physical or mental health issues.
• Personal experience accessing harm reduction services for safer drug use support and/or accessed other services designed to meet the needs of people who use substances.
• Current knowledge of the local street scene and cultural norms related to street life and ability to relate as a peer with participants of the EHR Initiative.
• Direct service delivery experience in the community social services sector with a demonstrated working knowledge of community-based programs and related provincial and community support services systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to working in a team environment.
• Comfortable approaching and initiating conversation with others and ability to build respectful rapport.
• Interest in learning and eager to share information with peers with a non-judgmental attitude.
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, clients, community, and other service providers.
• Working understanding of the importance of confidentiality and boundaries.
• Working knowledge in the areas of harm reduction, safer drug use, OAT, safer sex, sex work, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, mental health, etc.
• Demonstrated cultural safety and humility, and trauma-informed practices.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position and operate related equipment.
• Strong interpersonal and direct communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to establish and maintain respectful rapport.
• Leadership abilities supporting independent work as well as ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Ability to keep a ‘cool head’ when tense situations arise and willingness to engage in proactive problem solving.
• Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations.
• Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with overdose response, including administration of naloxone, is an asset.
• Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle use (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Provides clinical and outreach support in various settings including clinic space, parks, encampments, shelters, supported housing, and drop-in centres.
• Distributes safer drug use and safer sex supplies.
• Distributes naloxone kits and provides information and training in overdose prevention and response.
• Provides witnessed consumption support and supervision, assesses for overdose symptoms, and responds with rescue breathing and naloxone when necessary.
• Works collaboratively with the EHR team to identify potential EHR participants, provide information regarding access to pharmaceutical alternatives to street drugs, and assist with assessments and intakes.
• Participates in service user care by administering and reporting on drug screens, system navigation, external referrals, and other services.
• Provides harm reduction information and support for systems navigation and referrals for other health and social services.
• Connects regularly with EHR participants and offers peer support through active listening skills and a non-judgmental attitude.
• Works with the EHR team to develop and execute care plans based on participants' needs.
• Liaises between EHR participants and EHR nurses and physicians to support participants to be heard and assist with keeping communication open and accessible.
• Attends morning team huddles, scheduled team meetings, and individual supervision meetings.
• Maintains daily charting about all service user interactions.
• Keeps records (statistics) about services provided.
• Participates in program evaluation activities.
• Facilitates the transportation of service users to and from the clinic and other care settings.
• Facilitates the transportation of biohazardous products for laboratory testing for clinical purposes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Pay: $33.49/hour to start with stepped increases based on seniority.
• 5% in lieu of vacation.
• 5% in lieu of stats.
• Pension: If already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP), can continue with them. AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards pension. Part-time staff may become eligible for MPP after 2 years with AVI.
• Union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2025-2028.
• Accommodations available on request for candidates in all aspects of the selection process.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed