Harm Reduction Specialist

HEALTH FEDERATION OF PHILADELPHIA•Philadelphia, PA

6d•$31 - $31

About The Position

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH)’s Substance Use program is hiring a Harm Reduction Specialist who will provide essential support for all of the program’s harm reduction activities. The individual filling this position will continue harm reduction activities currently in place as well as proactively seek out new opportunities for outreach. Emphasis will be placed on community education and distribution of Naloxone and test strips as well as activities relating to safe syringe disposal, drug-related litter clean-up, and coordinating community outreach activities during overdose surges. The Harm Reduction Specialist will also support qualitative research efforts, assisting with interviews, focus groups, and data collection as needed. The Harm Reduction Specialist will report to the Harm Reduction Coordinator and work very closely with interdepartmental staff within PDPH SUPHR, The Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, the Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services, the Police Department, the Medical Examiner’s Office and health care providers associated with all major Philadelphia area hospital emergency departments. This position may also support public health emergency response, including outreach and harm reduction activities during Code Reds and Code Blues.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in health or social science or Associate’s degree with 2+ years of relevant experience or high school diploma with commensurate experience in harm reduction.
Knowledge of substance use terminology and harm reduction.
Experience engaging with people who use drugs and people who are unhoused, preferably in Philadelphia.
Excellent organizational skills.
Ability to work as part of a team, prioritize and handle multiple tasks, as well as work independently.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with persons and partner organizations.
Sensitivity to and experience working with racially, ethnically, culturally, and sexually diverse individuals, communities, agencies and organizations.
Skilled in Microsoft Office

Nice To Haves

Experience with RedCAP or other survey software, preferred.
Valid driver’s license, preferred.

Responsibilities

Schedule and facilitate virtual and in-person community-based training and education sessions regarding test strips, overdose prevention, and naloxone use.
Seek out activities and venues for outreach activities.
Manage PDPH inventory of harm reduction supplies including fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, Naloxone, and other commonly distributed items.
Help to implement a community-based naloxone education and distribution program, identifying organizations in high-risk neighborhoods who are receptive and able to partner with the department.
Collaborate closely interdepartmentally and with community organizations to develop culturally appropriate materials and strategies to raise awareness about the dangers of opioids, availability of Naloxone, and other harm reduction materials/strategies.
Maintain records about the distribution of Naloxone from PDPH to these organizations, including but not limited to events hosted, number of people trained, and number of doses distributed.
Support other drug-related activities in PDPH through close work with staff involved in addressing the overdose crisis in Philadelphia, including primary prevention, harm reduction, street outreach, and treatment initiatives.
Assist with field epidemiology activities, including qualitative research activities such as field based surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
Participate in local, state, and national conferences, conference calls, and workgroups addressing various substances and related public health topics.
Perform other activities related to substance use initiatives, as identified.
Participate in emergency preparedness drills, exercises, and trainings for the health department, as needed.
Regularly drive company vehicles to distribute Naloxone and other harm reduction supplies.
Facilitate virtual bi-weekly workshops on how to administer Naloxone and use test strips.
Other duties as assigned.