Job Description

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Career Opportunity

Position Title:

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Harm Reduction Outreach Worker, Outreach Van

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Needle Exchange & Safer Inhalation (NESI) Program

Classification:

Counsellor Level 2

Job Type:

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Multiple Positions available

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Evening, Weekend shifts required

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*Part-Time (0.25FTE) Indeterminate

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Part-Time (0.5FTE) TERM to March 1, 2026

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Casual positions available

Department:

Family and Community Services

Location:

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55 Eccles St

Reporting to:

Manager, Community Engagement

Compensation:

$27.92 - $33.68/hr plus 14hours personal paid time off

Deadline to apply: Sept 26, 2025 by 5:00pm

Apply to:

https://swchc.bamboohr.com/careers/725

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About us

We are Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC), a non-profit, community-governed organization that serves over 18,000 clients annually. Established in 1978, SWCHC provides 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 and committed to removing barriers to accessing services for people who experience vulnerabilities because of their age, income, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity, and language or culture.





SWCHC strives to ensure that our team reflects the communities we serve. We work within an anti-racist, anti-oppressive framework that acknowledges the existence and impacts of systemic racism and seeks to ensure that systems are fair and equitable for everyone.

What the Program Entails

The NESI Van evening outreach program provides harm reduction supplies, information and education, to people who use drugs across the city, in order to reduce and avoid the risk of transmission of HIV and Hepatitis B & C. The program provides outreach in the Greater Ottawa Area during the evening to reach people who use drugs during non-traditional service hours. The Van distributes sterile injection and inhalation equipment, as well as naloxone and more

What You'll Do

Reporting to the Manger of Community Engagement and in collaboration with the NESI Team Lead, the Harm Reduction Outreach Worker - NESI Van (HRWNV) to support the delivery of harm reduction services to people who use drugs in the City of Ottawa. The HRWNV provides harm reduction information and education, and safer substance use supplies (such as sterile syringes, pipes) to people who use drugs across the city, in order to reduce and avoid the risk of transmission of HIV and Hepatitis B & C. The HRWNV works alongside NESI Van Community Workers and NESI Van Relief Outreach Workers in a supportive role. This position will have responsibility in the ongoing operations of the Outreach Van including ensuring the van is stocked with harm reduction supplies and ensuring the Van receives scheduled and as-needed maintenance. This position will act as a liaison between the daytime and nighttime NESI service delivery for clients and provide continuity of care for clients who access the NESI van.





This position's shift will be scheduled 4:45pm - 11:45pm and will require flexibility in terms of weekend shifts, and may also involve some afternoon hours.





The HRW may engage in other duties as assigned in support of the NESI services




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What We're Looking For

? Life and Work Experience

Three years' experience and passion for working with high risk populations and people in active drug use Superior skills in assertive engagement, trauma informed care, crisis support & de-escalation. Superior skills in working independently as well as being part of a large team of people from diverse backgrounds. Knowledge of best practice guidelines for working with people who use drugs. In particular, harm reduction, outreach practices, care coordination, trauma informed care and treatment for substance use and concurrent mental health. Demonstrated understanding of working with a harm reduction model Demonstrated understanding of health promotion, HIV and HCV transmission, Hepatitis A,B and C, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Commitment to working within a Health Equity, Person-Centered and Anti-Oppressive Framework Experience with Harm Reduction equipment distribution, clean-up of used equipment Experience in providing transportation services to street involved persons an asset Strong ability to navigate clinical boundaries, professional ethics, and confidentiality Knowledge of relevant legislation including but not limited to PHIPPA is an asset Experience with responding to overdose and using naloxone is an asset Proficiency with computer based data entry, email, word processing Ability and comfort with using online reporting templates and ensuring timely completion of reporting obligations Knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention Extensive knowledge of Ottawa area community resources available and service navigation Demonstrated ability and clinical expertise in working with clients in crisis Knowledge of relevant mental health and privacy legislation and related practices Commitment to working from a health equity and anti-oppressive lens Lived experience of drug use and/or experience in advocacy for persons who use drugs considered assets Excellent knowledge and experience regarding harm reduction approaches and service delivery Knowledge of best practice guidelines for working with people who use drugs. In particular, harm reduction, outreach practices, care coordination, trauma informed care and treatment for substance use and concurrent mental health. Excellent understanding of health promotion, HIV and HCV transmission, Hepatitis A,B and C, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Experience in a drop-in, outreach or shelter setting is an asset Experience supporting people living with homelessness, mental health and addictions challenges Experience in overdose response is an asset

? Your Education Path

Degree in Social Work (BSW); Social Service Work; or related health discipline OR Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience Valid G class Driver's license, personal vehicle insurance and clean drivers abstract Successful completion of criminal reference check for vulnerable sector CPR certification First Aid ASIST and Non Violent Crisis Intervention

? Required Language

Fluency in English required. Working knowledge of French an asset.

What You Bring to the Table

Sound judgment and strong problem-solving skills Ability to work independently, set priorities and manage time effectively Strong clinical assessment and documentation skills Demonstrated ability and expertise working with clients in crisis Expertise in non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation Knowledge of concurrent mental health distress presentations including psychosis, trauma and emotional dysregulation Extensive knowledge of community resources available and service navigation Experience with supervised injection services an asset Effective organizational, critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills Ability to delegate Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team Ability and comfort with computers, online reporting templates and ensuring timely completion of reporting obligations Ability to work in a fast-paced environment managing multiple competing demands Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Commitment to the principles of health equity, inclusion and anti-racism/anti-oppression.

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Your Day-to-Day at a Glance

As our Harm Reduction Outreach Worker - NESI Van your responsibilities are:




Stock, prepare, clean Outreach Van at the start and end of each shift Respond to calls for service on the NESI Van outreach phone Provide harm reduction supplies, including sterile injection, inhalation supplies, naloxone Provide education on safer drug use, safer sex, HIV/HCV/STBBI disease prevention, overdose prevention Connect clients with relevant resources and referrals Collect and enter relevant data. Complete end of shift reports 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, Maintains and develops professional competence, and where applicable, a professional licence to practice, through appropriate continuing education methods (e.g. peer interaction, literature review, conferences, courses, staff development leave, etc.), Complies and adheres to all applicable Centre policies and procedures, Develops personal work plan in consultation with Manager, Community Engagement Respects and values the diversity of the community and individuals Supports the Centre's student placement programs Contributes to the Centre's work by participation in activities that seek to strengthen collaborative and interdisciplinary teamwork, such as intercomponent committees and working groups, strategic planning and accreditation. Contributes to the Centre's practices of hiring, orienting and training of employees Participates actively in team meetings Consults with and provides support to team members and other SWCHC employees regarding professional issues Participates in the Centre's strategic planning process Participates in the development of policies and procedures by providing feedback in the Centre's policy development process Works in a manner that incorporates health promotion and recognizes the determinants of health Participates in team and individual professional development opportunities This position may require the ability to lift and carry items, ~approx. 50lbs. This position requires the ability to drive, including at night, with potential distractions from passengers. This position requires the ability to make rapid decisions about safety and risk and a high degree of clinical judgment with unknown factors. This position will require the ability to assess the safety of entering unknown locations (usually in public), including at night to engage with people who may be in crisis. This role involves daily collection of used inhalation and injection equipment which carries the risk of potential needle stick injuries and exposure to blood borne pathogens. This position requires the ability to work within an extremely fast-paced environment with multiple priorities This position requires the ability to work within a large team of people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences as well as from partner agencies. This position requires strong communication and conflict management skills. This role will require daily, effectively prioritizing multiple, urgent competing tasks. This role involves potential exposure to significant psychological and emotional stressors, vicarious trauma and potential risk of violence

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Ready to Apply?

Take your career to the next level! Submit a cover letter and your resume by

5:00pm

on

September 26, 2025,

to:

https://swchc.bamboohr.com/careers/725

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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.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in working with us. Due to 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.