Information and Referral Specialist

Community Health Action of Staten Island • Staten Island, NY

60d • $37,000 - $42,000

About The Position

The Information and Referral (I&R) Specialist conducts outreach to drug using populations to engage persons in services, provides individual education to reduce health-related harm from injection and other drug use, conducts sterile syringe exchange, trains on opioid overdose reversal, and delivers HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) counseling and testing as well as delivers syringes to clients directly. The I&R Specialist works in the community, on CHASI's mobile health units, and in office-based settings to reach long-term and newer substance users, to partner with them as they set their own goals for improving their health and well-being, and to help them navigate service systems to achieve those goals.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience working with substance using persons and diverse populations strongly preferred.
• Conversant with harm reduction practices, philosophy and interventions.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team with demonstrated ability to contribute positively in a team-based work environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong oral and written communications skills; ability to manage communications tactfully and professionally with a high attention to detail and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct street outreach and community presentations to engage and inform drug using individuals about harm reduction interventions.
• Conduct harm reduction-oriented individual and group education encounters with drug users to reduce the transmission of blood-borne diseases, other infections, and drug overdose.
• Enroll individuals in State-authorized syringe exchange program and provide exchanges that promote the consistent use of sterile syringes and safe collection of used syringes.
• Distribute Naloxone kits to reverse opioid overdose and provide group and individual trainings on their correct use of Naloxone.
• Conduct HIV and HCV counseling, testing, partner notification and linkage services, in accordance with standards set by NYS Department of Health/AIDS Institute and CHASI. Attend trainings and monthly technical assistance meetings to stay current on best practices.
• Provide information, referral, navigation, and coordination assistance that links individuals to health and human services responsive to their individually expressed needs and interests.
• Collaborate with harm reduction staff and other CHASI staff on the identification of new venues for outreach and service provision, trends in local drug use, and service providers that are drug user friendly.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate harm reduction education or support groups for substance using individuals.
• Accurately and completely document service provision using hard copy tools and electronic data systems.
• Assist in tracking inventory of harm reduction program supplies.
• Complete internal and external training to maintain knowledge and skills related to harm reduction, culturally competent service delivery, and other job-relevant topics.
• Actively participate in staff meetings and other agency activities.
• Encourage a sense of commitment, camaraderie, and accountability among team members by modeling these qualities.
• Provide administrative support and front desk coverage and complete front desk duties as assigned.
• Provide services on the Mobile Health Unit as assigned.
• Perform all functions in alignment with CHASI's Mission, Vision, and Core Values
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• generous paid time off (4 weeks of vacation plus paid holidays, personal, and sick time)
• medical, dental, vision
• supplemental benefits including employer provided basic life insurance and employee assistance programs
• tuition reimbursement and fitness reimbursement after 1 year of employment
• a retirement plan that includes employer matching

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Social Assistance
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees