Contracted Harm Reduction Outreach Worker

Sagility

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Harm Reduction Outreach Worker is responsible for specific duties to advocate, monitor, and help plan for clients (individuals with drug-related activity) to enhance their quality of life in areas of family, socialization, work/education, leisure activity, and healthcare. The goal is to reduce client overdose and recidivism. This role involves continuous data collection for the OD2A grant, monthly updates to the University of Kentucky, running data reports, reporting to the Harm Reduction Director, and working with the JCHD Harm Reduction team. The worker will collaborate with the assigned Peer Support to best serve the client using a Harm Reduction Approach. This position may require a company phone and some night shift hours. When caseloads are low, the worker will assist JCHD with walk-in clients, connecting them with NARCAN, harm reduction services, and/or treatment centers. The role also includes working the Syringe Exchange Program when needed. Additionally, the worker will independently identify and engage individuals at high risk for overdose in community settings, conduct proactive outreach in high-risk regions, build relationships with individuals not connected to services, implement overdose prevention strategies (Naloxone distribution, risk reduction education, linkage to care), and utilize local data to guide outreach efforts. The position aims to develop community presence, increase trust among PWUD populations, and generate engagement opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Community Health, Criminal Justice, and/or related field.
Valid Driver's License and Car Insurance.
Current TB skin test indicates no evidence of communicable disease.
Must possess a valid driver's license.
Must have reliable transportation.
Clean drug screen prior to hire adherence to drug free workplace policies.

Nice To Haves

Company phone may be required.
Some night shift hours may be required.

Responsibilities

Advocate, monitor, and help plan for the client to enhance the quality of life in areas of family, socialization, work/education, leisure activity, and health care to reduce client from experiencing a drug overdose and recidivism.
Keep continuous data that will be needed and required for the OD2A grant.
Work with the University of Kentucky monthly and give updates as required.
Run data reports as requested by EMS, JCHD, and UK.
Report to Harm Reduction Director and work with JCHD Harm Reduction team.
Work directly with the assigned Peer Support to best serve the client and "meet them where they are at" in terms of reaching recovery.
Work with a Harm Reduction Approach while completing daily tasks.
Assist JCHD with walk-in clients in the community, connecting them with NARCAN, harm reduction services, and/or treatment centers when case load is low.
Work the Syringe Exchange Program when needed.
Independently identify and engage individuals at high risk for overdose in community settings.
Engage in proactive outreach within high-risk regions, such as encampments, known usage sites, and communities that are underserved.
Build relationships with individuals not currently connected to services.
Implement overdose prevention strategies, including: Naloxone distribution and education, Risk reduction education, Linkage to care and treatment.
Utilize local data, trends, and situational awareness to guide outreach efforts (e.g., overdose spikes, drug supply alerts).
Develop and maintain community presence to increase trust and engagement among PWUD populations.
Reduce reliance on passive referral systems by actively generating engagement opportunities.
Develop networks and relationships with groups, organizations, and/or agencies with the same vested interest as this grant.
Respond to all requests for data and information regarding this grant for JCHD and/or EMS.
Plan and/or attend all meetings required by supervisor and/or grant.