Harm Reduction Specialist

Victory Programs Inc • Boston, MA

5d • $26 • Onsite

About The Position

The Harm Reduction Specialist provides homelessness support and harm reduction services to individuals at risk for infectious disease, overdose, and other health conditions associated with substance use, human trafficking and/or unstable housing and homelessness. Services include HIV/HCV and STI testing, PrEP education and linkage services, syringe exchange, naloxone distribution, overdose education, milieu engagement and housing navigation.

Harm Reduction Specialist participates in program and street-based outreach, community meetings and facilitates psychoeducational groups both internally and at partner organizations. This position reports to the Milieu Engagement Manager for support and supervision.

Location: The Boston Living Center is a non-residential community center/resource program in Boston's Back Bay for individuals living with chronic health conditions (e.g. HIV/AIDS), substance use disorder, those experiencing homelessness, food insecurity and/or those at risk of experiencing street-based trauma.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Phlebotomy and specimen collection training/certification or a willingness to be trained.
• Working knowledge of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis, homelessness, substance use, STIs, and sex work as well as health-related social issues faced by persons who use drugs.
• Competency working with individuals of diverse race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex and drug cultures, age groups, religion, country of origin, disability and economic status.
• Excellent verbal communication skills including an ability to have open and affirming conversations about sex and substance use risk.
• Ability to work in an environment that involves potentially hazardous materials (blood borne pathogens, discarded syringes, etc.) and situations that require safety precautions and/or the use of protective equipment.
• Prior experience in a milieu or drop-in environment serving homeless and/or people who use drugs required.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Must be CPR certified (may be obtained upon hire)
• Completed TB screening (may be obtained upon hire)
• Three work related professional references; at least 2 from manager or supervisor.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience working in harm reduction, community health, or human services.
• Conversational Spanish.
• Previous experience in nonviolent crisis intervention, de-escalation, and milieu management.

Responsibilities

• Act in accordance with Victory Programs, Inc.’s Standards of Excellence & Philosophy Care always including maintaining professional ethics, boundaries and client confidentiality and working from a strength based.
• Support clients in housing navigation and resources to barrier remediation.
• Conduct HIV, Hepatitis C, STI, and pregnancy screenings; provide linkage to care
• Provide PrEP education and support clients with accessing PrEP from partner health centers.
• Facilitate verbal and written harm reduction counseling related to safer injection practice, wound care, overdose prevention, sexual health, vein and abscess care, and prevention of infectious disease transmission to clients.
• Provide syringe services, naloxone, and harm reduction supplies for individuals at risk for overdose or infectious disease transmission.
• Participate in the intake and orientation process of new members
• Work collaboratively with local homeless shelters, low threshold housing programs, community based organizations and health centers.
• Encourage clients to become active in their own healthcare.
• Engage in relationship building, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, Motivational Interviewing and conflict de-escalation as needed in the milieu space.
• Comply with agency protocols for data collection and record management, including but not limited to sign in sheets, reminder calls for appointments, individual progress notes, milieu support notes, group notes and individual action plans in the electronic health record within 24 hours of service.
• Remain in good standing with agency and funder required training
• Facilitate psychoeducational group workshops on prevention topics to reduce risks and promote wellness for members of the BLC
• Attend weekly supervision, monthly staff meetings, and periodic professional development training and workshops as requested by the supervisor.
• Participate and support the agency in program events, State House rallies, fundraising and advocacy events, rallies, walks and any additional functions.

Benefits

• Our benefit program includes a 75% health and 25% dental employer premium contribution, 100% employer paid disability and life insurance.
• Victory Programs offers a generous paid time off package to employees working 20+ hours a week including vacation, sick, and personal time as well as holidays.
• Upon hire, employees working 20+ hours a week are entitled to up to: 4 personal days, 160 sick hours, 10 holidays and 3 1/2 weeks of vacation.
• These figures adjust based on full time or part time status and allocated vacation time increases with length of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED