Job Description

JOB POSTING

JOB TITLE: Community Harm Reduction Peer Worker, Outreach Programs (DOPE, HCOW and Carlington daytime)

CLASSIFICATION: Support Worker

JOB TYPE: Multiple Casual and Part-time term positions available

DEPARTMENT: Harm Reduction

REPORTS TO: Manager, Harm Reduction

JOB TERM: Ending March 31, 2024 with possibility of extension

PAY RANGE: $21.30 - 25.64 per hour

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday May 5 or until suitable candidates are found

WHERE TO APPLY:



About us:

We are the Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC), a non-profit, community-governed organization that serves over 16K clients annually. We provide a wide range of health care services such as primary health care, health promotion, community development, mental health and harm reduction.

We are deeply connected to the communities we serve. We make our work meaningful for our community by striving to ensure that our team reflect the community we serve.

We work within an anti-racism, anti-oppression framework that acknowledges systemic racism exists and seeks to ensure that systems are fair and equitable for everyone

JOB SUMMARY

Working closely with the Harm Reduction Leadership and Program Teams at Somerset West Community Health Centre, the Community Worker (CW) will support engagement with people who use drugs, are unhoused/ precariously housed and/or experiencing crisis in the Somerset West, Carlington and Centretown catchment areas. Depending on particular focus of program, activities will include proactive and reactive outreach, provision of basic needs and harm reduction supplies, referrals and support with transportation, education regarding safer drug using practices, overdose response and crisis intervention.

Community Workers will assist with providing informal care coordination supporting clients to navigate the homeless/housing, harm reduction and health care sectors in collaboration with sector partners. Workers collaborate as a part of the whole Harm Reduction Department. They work with Harm Reduction Workers, Nurses, the Team Leads, Managers and other members of the team. Workers also collaborate with and contribute to the overall services, programs and functioning of the Centres.

We work within an anti-racism, anti-oppression framework that acknowledges systemic racism exists and seeks to ensure that systems are fair and equitable for everyone.

Most shifts take place during evening and weekend hours.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

-Applicants must clearly self-identify as a person with lived experience in their application to be considered.

-Applicants for Drug Overdose Response and Education (DOPE) team must clearly identify as BIPOC (member of African Canadian and Black (ACB), Indigenous or other community of colour) in their application to be considered.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Educational Experience

• No educational requirement, this position is designated for people with lived experience, specifically illicit drug use
• High School or post-secondary education is an asset

Professional Experience

• Lived experience of homelessness, street involvement or sex work is an asset
• Experience advocating for people who are precariously housed/street involved and/or
• people who use drugs is an asset
• Experience with overdose response is an asset
• 1-2 years experience volunteering or working in a harm reduction, drop-in or shelter

program is an asset

Key Competencies

• Lived experience with illicit substance use, homelessness, street involvement or sex work
• Understanding of the challenges people who use drugs face
• Knowledge about peer to peer support, harm reduction gear and safer drug use practices
• Able to work with and be around active drug use
• Strong de-escalation skills, able to stay calm under pressure and always be respectful
• Welcoming and non-judgmental
• Ability to keep client information confidential
• Strong communication skills, problem solving and boundaries
• Experience with overdose prevention and emergency response, naloxone training is an asset
• Knowledge and understanding of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections like HIV and Hepatitis transmission
• Knowledge about community resources
• Ability to work well with others as part of a team
• Excellent attendance, reliability and punctuality

• Basic knowledge of and experience working with computers
• Commitment to the principles of health equity, inclusion and anti-racism/anti-oppression

Linguistic profile

• English
• French is an asset
• Proficiency in other languages considered an asset

Training

• We will give you training on the required parts of your job
• Community Workers will need to be able to read and write in English and have basic computer skills, including email, word processing, electronic calendars and inputting hours and time off requests.
• Needle exchange and safer inhalation training
• Non Violent Crisis Intervention training
• CPR & Standard First Aid
• Overdose Prevention and Naloxone training

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contributes to the Centre\'s activities to collect, analyse and report on data and relevant

information and participate in research

• Preserves confidentiality of all client and employee information and seeks to minimize

risk while working with data

• Submits records of time worked and time off in a timely manner
• Complies and adheres to all applicable Centre policies and procedures
• Contributes to operationalizing the organization\'s anti-racism and anti-oppression policy

The Community Worker must also work within the scope of all legislative and Centre policies related to occupational health and safety. In this capacity, the employee:

• Must read and follow the Centre\'s occupational health and safety policies.
• Must have an OH&S Review at the beginning of their employment.
• Must participate in any mandatory training the Centre provides including Worker or Supervisor

Safety Awareness Training and WHMIS Training.

• Must complete the AODA training
• Must participate in Non Violence Crisis Intervention Training

If interested, please submit a cover letter and resume by May 5, 2023 to:

**It is the policy of SWCHC to require COVID-19 immunization for all employees, volunteers, students, and contractors, including those who work offsite with the following exceptions: Persons with a medical reason that prevents them from being vaccinated against COVID-19; Persons with other reasonable considerations pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code that restrict them from being vaccinated against Covid 19 vaccination.**

Somerset West Community Health Centre is an equal opportunity employer who values the diversity of individuals in our programs and services.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of Indigenous, Black and racialized communities, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, LGBTQ+ people; people with disabilities; and members of other equity seeking groups. Applicants are encouraged to share accessibility needs in the application process, and every attempt will be made to accommodate them.

Due to the high volume of applicants, we can neither confirm receipt of nor respond to inquiries regarding your application. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Somerset West Community Health Centre