Supervisor - Harm Reduction

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority•Sioux Lookout, ON

1d•CA$68,778 - CA$100,438•Onsite

About The Position

The Approaches to Community Wellbeing is a regional resource to 31 First Nations Communities. The Approaches to Community Wellbeing provides expertise, support, services, and programming in public health to the region. The program also supports communities in the development, implementation, and monitoring of their own Approaches to Community Wellbeing. Harm Reduction is a component of Preventing Infectious Diseases under the Healthy Living section of the model. The Supervisor - Harm Reduction supports communities in the prevention of Infectious Diseases through Harm Reduction services. Harm reduction is an important initiative in order to respond to the high prevalence of prescription substance use and associated harms (i.e., sexually transmitted and blood borne infections) in First Nations remote communities. The program currently includes a distribution program for safe injection kits, substance use equipment, an opioid overdose prevention program, as well as community-based education initiatives.

Requirements

Persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, Part II, Special Employment).
College Diploma in a health-related field and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to SLFNHA.
Minimum 1 year previous experience in harm reduction and/or public health
Understanding of the unique determinants of health for First Nations in Northwestern Ontario, and the health landscape in which they seek services
Active interest in harm reduction as it pertains to individuals who use substances
Excellent planning, organization, time management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Professional integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality is essential
Experience working both independently and, in a team-orientated, collaborative environment is essential
Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
Ability to develop and maintain respectful/cooperative relationships with First Nations people, communities, service stakeholders, and health care providers to promote an integrated seamless delivery of service
Excellent written, verbal, and computer skills
Ability to complete reports and documentation
Experience and training in cultural competency with First Nations
Valid Ontario G driver’s license is required
Must be willing to travel
Ability to complete the duties of this position on a regular basis

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in health planning and project management is an asset
Previous experience in health promotion and education is an asset
Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects within the Sioux Lookout Zone an asset

Responsibilities

With support from the Harm Reduction Manager, create a strategic plan and vision for the Harm Reduction service.
With support from the Harm Reduction Manager, create and maintain a work plan and budget for the Harm Reduction service.
Provide supervision and direction to the Harm Reduction Worker(s) by: Scheduling staff and signing time sheets, Appraising employee job results, Providing ongoing coaching, advice, and motivation, Identify and support professional development and training of staff.
Provide health promotion/education to regional partners, community members, and drug users on the function of safe injection/inhalation kits, harm reduction, safe disposal, and risks associated with unsafe substance use.
Support communities in the introduction and/or expansion of harm reduction initiatives, as requested, including: Assisting communities with program development for the Needle Distribution Program, Assisting communities that wish to introduce Harm Reduction initiatives outside of the Nursing Station setting, Assisting communities in the promotion of safe disposal of used needles and drug paraphernalia, Assist communities in developing other harm reduction services, such as Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs.
Support capacity building and training initiatives of community-based workers around harm reduction. Act as a resource and contact person to communities related to questions and concerns about Harm Reduction, Provide education materials and sessions around harm reduction through videoconference, teleconference, webinars, community visits, etc., Provide, or link communities with, training opportunities around Harm Reduction.
Ensure mechanisms are in place for communities to provide feedback on harm reduction services and overall monitoring and evaluation of the Harm Reduction program. Support Harm Reduction Workers in their work to provide communities with harm reduction equipment, Ensure that safe injection kits are packaged and available for distribution, Order all harm reduction equipment, and ensure the process for ordering is done in a highly organized and efficient manner, Receive and process harm reduction kit orders, and coordinate the packaging and shipping of kits to First Nations communities in a timely manner; Develop and maintain a stock management system and do regular inspections, Collect and maintain data records on the distribution of kits (i.e. number of kits going to each community), Network and coordinate activities with other organizations working in Harm Reduction in the Sioux Lookout region.
Other duties as assigned.