Harm Reduction Peer Worker PHAC (HRPW)

Somerset West Community Health Centre•Ottawa, ON

36d•CA$23 - CA$27•Hybrid

About The Position

The Harm Reduction Peer Worker PHAC (HRPW) will support services in the Carlington Community Health Centre area. This project is a collaboration between Somerset West CHC and Carlington CHC. Working closely with the Community Engagement Manager and under the supervision of the NESI Team Lead at Somerset West Community Health Centre, and the Director of Integrated Health Services at Carlington Community Health Centre; the HRPW will support harm reduction services to people who use drugs in the Carlington Community Health Centre catchment areas. Harm reduction services will focus on increasing access to health promotion, prevention, treatment and harm reduction programs and services among high-risk people who use drugs. The HRPW will be responsible for supporting Carlington CHC’s ‘Health Box’ (gear supplies), through monitoring supplies and stocking, communicating with the Health Box company for troubleshooting, and supporting clients in accessing. Workers collaborate as a part of the whole Community Services department. They work with Harm Reduction Workers, Nurses, the Team Leads, the Manager, and other members of the team. Workers also collaborate with and contribute to the overall services, programs and functioning of the Centres. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived and living experience of drug use, sex work, homelessness, incarceration, or systemic marginalization. Lived experience is considered integral to this role.

Requirements

Relevant lived/living experience of drug use, sex work, homelessness, incarceration, or systemic marginalization
Strong understanding of community needs
Lived/living experience & understanding of Harm Reduction principles
Knowledge of and experience with a harm reduction approach
Positive and empowering approach regarding drug use, sex, and sex work
Knowledge of related community resources
Valid class “G” driver’s license and personal vehicle insurance is required
Fluency in English is required
Understanding of homelessness, mental health and addictions
Ability to work well with others as part of a team
Commitment to working within a diversity and social justice framework
Ability and comfort with computers, online reporting templates and ensuring timely completion of reporting obligations
Good listening skills and strong personal boundaries
Strong organizational skills/time management skills
Ability to de-escalate conflicts in an effective manner
Demonstrates an understanding of the differing beliefs and value systems of others and is respectful of all
Ability to ask for support/provide support when needed
Ability to lift and carry items, ~approx. 25-30lbs daily, through extended foot outreach
Ability to lift and carry items, ~approx. 50lbs
Ability to walk approximately 5km over the course of a shift including on uneven ground and with limited visibility
Ability to make rapid decisions about safety and risk and a high degree of clinical judgment with unknown factors
Ability to assess the safety of entering unknown locations (usually in public)
Role may involve the collection of used inhalation and injection equipment for safe disposal
Requires the ability to work within a large team of people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences as well as from partner agencies
Requires strong communication and conflict management skills.
May involve engaging with people in crisis and requires conflict de-escalation skills
Requires daily, effectively prioritizing multiple, urgent competing tasks.
Involves daily exposure to significant psychological and emotional stressors, vicarious trauma and potential risk of violence

Nice To Haves

Other languages considered an asset
Needle exchange and safer inhalation training is an asset, training will be provided as needed
Non Violent Crisis Intervention training, will be provided as needed
CPR & Standard First Aid, will be provided as needed
Overdose Prevention and Naloxone training, will be provided as needed

Responsibilities

Conduct assertive outreach and provides support to people who use drugs
Assemble harm reduction supplies kits
Comfortable working in various environments including outdoors, community spaces, and mobile outreach vans
May involve exposure to emotional or crisis situations
Monitor and stock the Health Box, communicate with Health Box, Carlington CHC for troubleshooting
Enter data on supplies distributed, Health Box, outreach activities into appropriate database
Complete end-of-shift report
Deliver trainings and presentations on harm reduction, safer use, engagement strategies, overdose identification and response
Distribute harm reduction materials and collects used equipment
Provide information about community resources to clients
Assist clients in obtaining resources for healthier living
Apply an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed approach to service delivery, ensuring equitable and culturally responsive support for all clients
Actively listen to clients and offer non-judgemental support
Promote safer substance use among people who use drugs, including health teaching on safer injection practices with the goal of improving health outcomes
Support clients to set up appointments with other services as needed, providing reminders and accompaniment as needed
Connect clients to other harm reduction services in the community
Participate in operational regular check-ins, as well as weekly team meetings
Participate in Community of Practice meetings and additional professional development opportunities/training workshops as necessary
Participate in Project Advisory Meetings as required