Hiring Now Substance Abuse/ Harm Reduction Specialist-CASAC

AFRICAN AMERICAN PLANNING COMMISSION INC•New York, NY

13d•$60,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Case Manager/Harm Reduction Specialist ("Harm Reduction Specialist") provides engagement and support services, particularly to program participants engaging in behaviors that may pose risks such as drug and alcohol use, sexual practices, and self-injury, using a harm reduction approach. The emphasis is on meeting individuals "where they are" and providing non-judgmental, noncoercive services, and resources to individuals. In addition, the Harm Reduction Specialist provides consultation, education, training, and support to program staff in their work with participants. The Harm Reduction Specialist is a leader promoting AAPCl's commitment to providing services using a harm reduction approach. Specific duties may vary by area assigned. The Harm Reduction Specialist develops collaborative relationships with other disciplines to assure effective client care.

Requirements

CASAC Certification and Bachelor’s degree in a related field (social work, mental health counseling, psychology, sociology etc.) with at least 3-5 years’ experience.
Experience working with special needs client populations.
Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills with a focus on providing excellent services.
Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with a diverse community of residents, program staff, and other departments.
Strong time management and organization skills.
High attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Being a part of the Intake/screening/Assessment team to determine whether client is suitable for independent living. and appropriate to be housed in the housing program.
Provide Harm Reduction focused consultation and support to program staff related to reducing risks associated with drug/alcohol use, health concerns such as diabetes, sexual health, violence, arrest/incarceration, sex work/survival sex, etc.
Work at assigned programs, creating, and implementing a schedule responsive to program and participant priorities.
Develop Harm Reduction related programming, including groups and other activities, relevant for each program.
Provide technical assistance and in-house trainings on harm reduction topics for staff and participants as well as coordinate information sessions with outside providers on Harm Reduction related topics.
Attend and participate in Harm Reduction Committee meetings and contribute to agency-wide Committee projects to support the infusion of Harm Reduction throughout the agency.
Ensure adequate supply of safer sex and safer drug use supplies for assigned programs.
Become an AAPCI Opioid Overdose Prevention Program (OOPP) Trainer, and follow all DOHMH and AAPCI OOPP policies and procedures.
Participate in and support agency health and wellness projects.
Provide regular communication to Clinical Supervisor regarding staff and building concerns related to Harm Reduction.
Attend team meetings of assigned programs, as scheduled, to learn about current concerns and events.
Establish ongoing relationships with Harm Reduction service providers, local precincts, and other community resources, and maintain an inventory of these resources.
Meet with program staff and program participants together, (or temporarily with program participants as a bridge to meeting with program staff) in situations where program staff need support, role modeling, and skill building, to effectively meet the needs of program participants.
Maintain quality service by utilizing and serving as a role model for agency standards in all interactions with program participants.
Using a Harm Reduction approach, assess participants' needs for services, including outreach, counseling, education, referral, and plan services accordingly.
Develop and support strategies to meet the needs of specified groups, e.g. people who use drugs and/or alcohol, criminal justice involved individuals, people engaged in sex work.
Provide service coordination to assigned participants as defined by program and contractual requirements.
Develop and assist in implementing service plans determined by goals of program participants, including reviewing service plans with program participants, identifying progress and revising plan as needed.
Produce and maintain thorough, accurate and timely documentation, including charts and documentation in service records of interactions with program participants, services provided, important information and/or events, and contacts with other agencies and service providers, as required by agency policies, and relevant contracts and regulatory agencies.
Assist program participants by advocating for quality care from external service providers, including educating providers on special issues, etc.
Assist program participants in maintaining apartment free from unsanitary conditions and safety hazards, utilizing individualized strategies, e.g. teaching, feedback, demonstration and other forms of hands-on interventions, as needed.
Assist program participants with conflict resolution and provide crisis intervention, as necessary.
Provide outreach to program participants who are not indicating their goals or who are not engaged, to offer services to them, and to incorporate outreach in their service plans.
Provide support and training on skills-building, including assertiveness, self-advocacy, socialization, and other related issues.
Coordinate work orders with Facilities staff regarding apartment repairs and/or program participant requests.
Attend and participate in supervision, meetings and training sessions, as required and as scheduled.
Provide holiday, evening and weekend coverage, as necessary.
Provide coverage for non-assigned program participants, as needed.
Performs other related duties as may be requested by immediate supervisors.