Syringe Access Program Coordinator

Harlem United Community AIDS Center Inc•New York, NY

1d•$67,000 - $73,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Syringe Access Program Coordinator is responsible for coordination of syringe access operations and direct supervision of SEP staff and peers. Under the supervision of the Managing Director, Syringe Access Services, the Syringe Access Program Coordinator is responsible for maintaining the department’s readiness for welcoming individuals into our brick and mortar, mobile, and peer delivered services providing safer use supplies. Hours for this position are Monday – Friday, 8:00AM–4:00PM or 9:00AM–5:00PM. The Syringe Access Program Coordinator is responsible for providing an array of harm reduction services to marginalized, street-based populations including people living with HIV, people who actively use and inject drugs, people with Hepatitis C, people who engage in sex work, and individuals experiencing homelessness. In addition to assisting with direct service to clients, the Syringe Access Program Coordinator also provides oversight of program operations. Syringe access services are conducted utilizing a team-based, harm reduction approach that supports the client in identifying their own goals around substance use, sexual health, and engagement in additional services. This position supports the efforts of the Managing Director, AVP, and Senior Clinical Director to strengthen staff members’ clinical skills around client engagement and motivational interviewing.

Requirements

High school diploma and two years’ experience in harm reduction, specifically with active injection and other drug users.
Familiarity with substance use services and social services agencies within New York City.
Valid New York State driver’s license required.
Experience working with street-based populations, such as people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and sex workers.
Knowledge of harm reduction and the risks associated with injection drug use and sexual health.
Ability to listen to and communicate clearly and respectfully with people who use drugs, community members, peers, volunteers and agency staff.
High level of self-motivation.
Commitment to working as a member of a team.
Able to work with a team with different attitudes and personalities.
Flexibility and willingness to work outdoors, including inclement weather conditions, and weekends as needed.

Nice To Haves

CASAC certification a plus.
Work experience and lived experience can substitute for education.

Responsibilities

Overseeing and coordinating SEP operations to include coordinating and scheduling staff, tracking inventory of program supplies, assisting with placing supply orders, communicating issues/problems relating to syringe access program delivery to the Managing Director, serving as a team lead when working in the field, maintaining knowledge of vehicle maintenance and upkeep, ensuring SEP vehicles are routinely cleaned and presentable, and working with the staff team to stock vehicles with program paperwork.
Assisting the Managing Director, Syringe Access Services in working with community members, CBOs, the local NYPD precinct, and others in our catchment areas around harm reduction education, overdose prevention, and informational/educational sessions.
Conducting intakes and developing brief service plans in collaboration with the client.
Making referrals as needed to primary care, mental health services, HIV/HCV/STI testing services, drug treatment and detoxification programs, case management, housing services, food pantry, benefits, emergency needs and other services.
Supporting syringe exchange services in accordance with state, city, and agency regulations that include monitoring disposal of used syringes; distributing safer injection supplies; adhering to needle stick prevention guidelines; and providing HCV education, overdose education, and buprenorphine education.
Providing community members and participants with information on harm reduction and substance use treatment services available.
Distributing harm reduction materials including safer sex kits, educational literature, and brochures.
Conducting overdose prevention training with clients and the community, including the dispensing of naloxone.
Completing all data entry into eSHARE and AIRS for individual services completed; assisting the team in data entry related to deliverables completed by IHR peers.
Ensuring the maintenance of appropriate, accurate, and clear documentation of all SEP, outreach, education, and escort activities.
Maintaining a strong knowledge of substance use, including treatment information and developments that affect clients’ access to care.
Maintaining a strong knowledge of HIV/AIDS, including treatment information and developments that affect clients’ access to care.
Evaluating staff monthly by conducting Data Driven Supervision sessions.
Facilitating 90 Day and Annual Evaluations of staff.
Conducting observations of staff engagement with clients.
Regularly identifying and celebrating staffs’ strengths.
Regularly identifying areas for staff improvement and working with them to develop tools to support their professional growth and the demands of the program.
Utilizing Progressive Discipline when efforts are not met with skill enhancement or behavior change from staff, or when there is a violation of the agency’s policies and procedures.
Enhancing and maintaining morale of team.
Recruiting, hiring (with guidance from supervisor) and training new staff members when needed.
Supervising peer educators who volunteer for the department by providing services in the department by conducting outreach at our mobile sites, assisting syringe exchange efforts, engaging new clients, and assisting with administrative needs of the program.
Meeting monthly in individual meetings with SEP and PDSE peers in which peer assignments are reviewed, successes are celebrated and areas for improvements are identified; and to discuss challenges to performance, behavioral challenges, or time and attendance.
Identifying training needs for the peer educators to encourage professional development.
Participating in monthly meetings/trainings as part of peer supervision in collaboration with Peer Coordinator.
Modeling professional behavior and demeanor for peers and other staff; providing feedback in the field to peer educators about developing and maintaining professional boundaries and communication.
Supporting interns and volunteers during their hands-on training experience.
Attending data driven and clinical supervision, as well as departmental, divisional and staff meetings.
Ensuring files are up to date and accurate; conducting periodic community surveys to ensure the program is following community trends.
Other duties as assigned.