Harm Reduction Specialist
About The Position
The Harm Reduction Specialist is a critical team member within Lantern's Integrated Services Programming, providing person-centered support to individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, substance use challenges, and chronic medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, within a supportive housing environment. This role focuses on promoting health, stability, and recovery through harm reduction strategies, substance use education, and linkage to services. The ideal candidate is compassionate, knowledgeable in harm reduction practices, able to support individuals in making informed decisions to improve their overall well-being, and invested in working collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary service team.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- CASAC-T required, or willingness to enroll in a CASAC program within six (6) months of hire, with completion within eighteen (18) months.
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience providing harm reduction and substance use services.
- Experience working with individuals impacted by homelessness, mental illness, substance use, HIV/AIDS, or chronic medical conditions.
- Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage a diverse caseload.
- Ability to work under pressure, including in crisis situations.
- Experience conducting risk assessments and making treatment referrals.
- Experience with community outreach.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with electronic case management systems such as ETO or CASES.
- Experience with evidence-based practices including Motivational Interviewing.
- Experience developing and facilitating workshop and group curricula.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
Responsibilities
- Work individually with a small, targeted caseload of tenants who have Harm Reduction goals related to acute substance use and health needs, supporting risk reduction, relapse prevention, coping skills, and treatment decision-making.
- Provide person-centered harm reduction and substance use services that engage residents and promote health, wellness, and housing stability.
- Conduct risk assessments related to substance use and provide appropriate referrals.
- Identify short- and long-term service needs and support residents in achieving their goals.
- Utilize harm reduction approaches to address mental health and substance use challenges.
- Develop workshop curricula and group sessions on a variety of topics including recovery education, healthcare self-advocacy, coping skills, and social support based on tenant needs and interests.
- Utilize evidence-informed interventions such as Seeking Safety, Illness Management and Recovery, Wellness Recovery Action Planning, and others for group engagement.
- Facilitate group counseling sessions and educational and skill-oriented workshops.
- Engage in community outreach and support tenant participation in harm reduction activities.
- Coordinate on-site health and service engagement and educational tables.
- Document all services, interventions, and assessments in accordance with program requirements, including OOPP and harm reduction supply tracking.
- Maintain accurate and confidential resident records in compliance with funder and organizational standards.
- Participate in staff meetings, clinical meetings, and supervision to ensure best practices.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to coordinate care and support educational initiatives related to substance use and other risk behaviors.
- Participate in training and pilot programs related to evidence-based practices and innovative adaptations to enhance service delivery.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
