Overdose Response Specialist

Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center•Honolulu, HI

1d•$45,000 - $47,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Overdose Response Specialist (ORS) is responsible for managing all aspects of the Post Overdose Response Team (PORT) efforts, working with staff and participants of the Syringe Exchange Program and working with community partners to prevent overdose and respond to areas that experience overdose in order to provide access to naloxone, education, linkage to services and grief support. The ORS will work with people who use drugs, public safety and first responders to both respond to and prevent future overdoses. The Overdose Response Specialist will be primarily embedded within the SEP and work with State and County stakeholders and overdose data to target overdose prevention and response efforts.

Requirements

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.).
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Strong time-management skills and punctuality.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, clients, and outside contacts from a wide variety of ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Strong crisis intervention and de-escalation skills.
Capacity to deal with difficult interactions with care, compassion, and assertiveness.
Non-judgmental attitude and ability to respect the knowledge, actions, and feelings of others.
Demonstrated ability to work productively, both independently and as part of a team.
Ability to work well and thrive professionally in an atmosphere of significant diversity, working with marginalized populations.
High School diploma/GED, or equivalent work experience.
One or more years of training and/or educating experience.
A firm grasp, either through education or lived experience, of overdose prevention.
One year of relevant administrative experience and/or demonstrated experience relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
Valid Hawaii Driver’s License and clean three-year (3-year) Driver’s Abstract.
TB Clearance
Hep B Clearance and/or Vaccination
Must pass Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services eligibility screening.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (or comparable degree).
Relevant life experience and/or experience in street-based outreach and harm reduction.
Training in substance use, harm reduction, and dual diagnosis.
Extensive knowledge of the greater Honolulu area.

Responsibilities

Conduct syringe exchange services and harm reduction outreach in the community and connect participants to services.
Discuss issues about general health of people who use intravenous and non-intravenous drugs, their partners, and families.
Provide overdose prevention education and naloxone training to program participants.
Coordinate the requests for naloxone, mailing, and inventorying of supplies.
Assist with the tracking and fulfillment of all community requests of naloxone.
Deliver HIV/AIDS, STD, and viral hepatitis prevention and treatment education.
Provide outreach to specific areas indicated by law enforcement and the Department of Health which have a high number of documented cases of overdose.
Provide education on safer sex and substance use practices.
Share basic information concerning legal issues and challenges related to drug use.
Complete all documentation for services rendered withing assigned benchmarks.
Respond immediately to connections indicating a recent overdose and offer on-the-spot training and education in addition to potentially linking them to SUD treatment.
Network with local businesses, entities and potential partners to provide overdose education and awareness.
Attend the Hawaii Opioid Initiatives’ Workgroup 4 Harm Reduction meetings.
Represent the agency at coalition and other community meetings.
Increase the visibility of HHHRC and harm reduction through networking and collaborations.
Contribute to a safe, creative, enthusiastic, and cooperative working environment for all.
Work as a team with other staff and support team members.
Maintain appropriate professional and ethical standards while serving as a representative of HHHRC.
Abide by all policies and procedures of the HHHRC Health & Safety Program, Quality Management Program, and Employee Handbook.
Comply with HHHRC confidentiality policy, HIPAA requirements, cultural competencies, and rights to persons served, as well as CARF standards.
Demonstrate steadfast understanding of, and commitment to, the Mission, Vision, and Values of HHHRC.