Harm Reduction Specialist

Victory Programs Inc • Boston, MA

3d • $26 • Onsite

About The Position

The Harm Reduction Specialist provides prevention and harm reduction services to individuals at risk for infectious disease, overdose, and other health conditions associated with substance use and/or unstable housing. Services include HIV/HCV and STI testing, PrEP education and linkage services, syringe exchange, naloxone distribution and overdose education. The Harm Reduction Specialist participates in street outreach, and facilitates psychoeducational educational groups. This position reports to the Program Director for support and supervision.

Victory Programs values a diverse workforce, as we collectively seek to create welcoming, inclusive and accessible environments for our employees and the people we serve. We strive to sustain healthy, functioning communities that respect and celebrate different experiences, identities, cultures and ideas.

Victory Programs has helped individuals and families in crisis for over 45 years. Thousands turn to us yearly for shelter, sustenance, recovery, care, and professional, compassionate support. Most struggle with homelessness, substance use and mental health, and many live with HIV/AIDS. Our team of more than 300 staff across over 30+ programs works with people to develop and execute creative, safe solutions to the very real challenges our clients face.

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.
• 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 at all times including maintaining professional ethics, boundaries and client confidentiality and working from a strength-based.
• Conduct HIV, Hepatitis C, STI, and pregnancy screenings; provide linkage to care in drop-in and mobile settings.
• 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 street outreach across Boston neighborhoods to reach individuals at risk for infectious disease, overdose, and other health conditions associated with substance use.
• Accompany clients to medical, family planning, or other social service appointments.
• Encourage clients to become active in their own healthcare.
• Engage in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and conflict de-escalation as needed.
• Comply with agency protocols for data collection and record management.
• Facilitate psychoeducational group workshops on prevention topics to reduce risks and promote wellness.
• 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.
• Perform any other duty or task that may be requested from time to time by your supervisor or their designee.

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