Harm Reduction Health Educator

Native American Community•Minneapolis, MN

15h

About The Position

The Community Health Educator will be responsible for organizing Harm Reduction grant activities in collaboration with other partner programs, agencies and NACC stakeholders. Key activities include the outreach, education, referrals to NACC and external services, and Harm Reduction grant reporting and tracking. This role is housed within NACC’s harm reduction team, which offers full-spectrum harm reduction services, including syringe and safer use supply distribution, naloxone distribution and overdose prevention/response education, frequent street outreach and outreach with other harm reduction and healthcare providers in the area. This is a grant funded position, NACC cannot guarantee employment beyond the grant period.

Requirements

One year of direct care experience working in direct service, preferably in direct harm reduction services
Experience working in an outreach setting (including street outreach)
Associate degree in community health or other related field OR highly related experience (harm reduction) equal or greater than educational level listed will be considered.
Flexibility to work nights and weekends, if needed
Work Experience in a non-for-profit and healthcare.
Ability to work in a diverse culture.
Experience working within the local Native American community.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the Native American community preferred
Experience working in a syringe services program

Responsibilities

Facilitate harm reduction outreach and HIV/HEP-C testing events to actively engage high risk population and provide linkages to care
Provide rapid, point-of-care HIV and HCV testing (training will be provided by NACC/MDH, if needed)
Coordinate Harm Reduction supply organization and distribution including safer injection/smoking/snorting supplies, hygiene supplies and outdoor equipment.
Assist in coordinating and delivering naloxone training for NACC staff and community partners.
Provide information and referral to NACC and other partnering programs to meet the comprehensive needs of clients
Provide individual and group education on mental health and substance use and related public health concerns to NACC clients and the Native American community
Coordinate with NACC medical, behavioral health, and harm reduction staff to increase linkage to care and HIV and HEP-C testing of homeless and other high-risk populations
Identify, create and implement client education materials to share in groups and at community events
Coordinate with external community partners to efficiently provide Harm Reduction services, including testing events, street outreach and harm reduction supply dissemination.
Work with clinical staff to develop testing program protocol and workflow implementation.
Assist with overseeing community volunteer program.
Respond to and fulfill request for community public health education to increase awareness/ remove stigma around HIV and HEP-c
Collect and maintain up to date data, tack progress towards goals for relevant grants, community surveys, and provide accurate reporting on grant outcomes regularly.
Identify and resolve barriers to HIV / HEP-C care experienced by homeless and other risk populations
Providing prevention-related information to American Indian professionals and others working with American Indians in other fields to increase understanding of harm reduction.
Participate in weekly outreach team meetings and biweekly Harm Reduction team meetings.