Job Description

Title: Harm Reduction Worker (Grid 20)Location: Abbotsford Community Hub Centre (PARC)Position Status: Full Time (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 9.5-hour shift)Reports to: Manager, Fraser EastCompensation: $27.91 - $29.60JOB SUMMARY:As a member of the Phoenix Society team located in Abbotsford BC at the Prevention Assessment Referral Clinic the Harm Reduction Worker is . The HRW will also ensure harm reduction supplies for IV drug use, inhalation, and safer sex practices are accessible to those accessing the location in accordance with infectious disease protocols. The HRW is responsible for providing crisis intervention, active listening and resource navigation to clients while providing connections and referrals to Health Services, Sexual Health and SHIBBI, Housing and Shelter Connections, Food Security, and Addiction and Mental Health advocacy.The Harm Reduction worker is also accountable for overseeing and the daily operations and paying a daily stipend to the Volunteer Peer support workers, who may be active or previous clients who are living in active addiction, or possess an understanding including personal experience of addiction, criminal justice involvement or living in vulnerable situations.RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assessing and attending to those in active addiction experiences the negative effects of substance use such as responding to active overdose/drug poisonings both in the supervised consumption space, and surrounding areas outside of the building with restrictions. Actions include, administering injectable Naloxone, providing rescue breaths and calling emergency services.
• Working as a team to ensure the best possible patient outcome in the event of an overdose, and daily operations.
• Complete BCCDC facilities overdose prevention reporting document for Overdose response incidents and the Phoenix Society critical incident reports for incidents requiring emergency services.
• Providing appropriate health, mental health, addiction, housing and other service referrals as needed on a person-by-person basis, including ongoing follow up and advocacy for high-risk, vulnerable clientele
• Provide harm reduction supplies for IV drug use, inhalation, safer sex practices, steroid use and Take-Home Naloxone Kits distribution.
• Ensures sharps are disposed of in the safe and correct manner, in accordance to site sharps disposal procedure
• Maintaining accurate statistics, as outline in the site\xe2\x80\x99s standard operating procedure manual as interactions and supports are provided for reporting requirements and report communications. Including the collection of client\xe2\x80\x99s names accessing the site daily, sharps collected, sharps provided, referrals completed, THN naloxone provided, showers and laundry completed.
• Provide payment to the Volunteer Peer Support Workers on a shift completed basis daily including accurately completing accompanied documentation as provided by management
• Ensures the smooth functioning of the drop-in clinic, including navigation of clients who may be experiencing crisis, or challenging behaviors due to mental health, addictions or strenuous circumstances.
• Following the service time out and ban procedure manual for addressing challenging behaviors, crimes committed on site, threats or acts of violence to staff, co-clientele or property and documentation the clients name, action and action taken.
• Implement lock down procedures when needed
• Work in collaboration with other services providers at the Abbotsford community hub, and in community such as IHART, ACT Team, Abbotsford police department, Abbotsford Probation, and the ministry of social development and poverty reduction to provide a continuum of care and wrap around supports.
• Distribute donated food items provided to clients as they are received
• Prepare, and provide daily food items as required, including daily morning coffee
• Sanitize, and set up the community shower for those living vulnerably requiring access to hygiene services after each use.
• Collect, label and complete Laundry for those who request access to this service, who are houseless
• Ensuring workspace is clear of clutter, and on-going sanitization of countertops, floors, and high touch areas are completed both in client areas, and staff space in compliance to health authority standard.
• Providing guidance and support to volunteers and practicum students while on site
• Acts as a back up to other staff if needed.

Community Relations:

• Participates in liaison activities with stakeholders and the broader community in a professional manner
• Maintains a thorough knowledge of social, economic, recreational and educational resources in the community.
• Fosters teamwork within the Phoenix Society and with service stakeholders. Takes action required to foster teamwork and resolve problems that may arise.

Quality Assurance:

• Identifies areas for improvement and increased efficiency in building and program operations, technology, services offered, reporting and reports to supervisory position.
• Identifies areas for improvement and increased efficiency in service delivery
• Follows and implements universal precautions and infection control
• Ensures safe handling of sharps containers and other equipment.
• Ensures that program regulations, policies and procedures are followed.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of internal fire safety policies and procedures as well as other emergency procedures; facilitates scheduling and coordination of safety drills with building stakeholders.
• Organizes and assembles monthly administrative reports.
• Maintains agency standards of work quality.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary diploma (e. g. 2 to 3 years) in social/human sciences, addictions, community support, health care or equivalent education including lived experience.
• Minimum 2 to 3 years of experience working with and supporting vulnerable populations and community resources.
• Understanding HIV, Viral Hepatitis transmission and other blood borne infections is an asset.
• Satisfactory completion of a criminal records check with vulnerable sector screening is required, ability to obtain Federal Clearance.
• Satisfactory completion of Employee Immunization Record form is required.
• First aid certification with CPR is required.
• Naloxone Training and experience responding to overdose/drug poisoning is mandatory.

COMPETENCIES:Approach to Work:

• Demonstrates initiative, flexibility, adaptability and resourcefulness.
• Actively seeks and incorporates feedback to inform continuous self-improvement.
• Sets goals, creates and implements action plans, monitors progress, and evaluates results.
• Adeptly manages competing tasks and uses time efficiently and effectively.

Job Knowledge & Quality of Work:

• High degree of relevant and current job knowledge and skill.
• Consistently produces accurate, thorough, high-quality work in a timely manner.
• Builds and promotes a culture of health and safety in the workplace.
• Implements and enforces best practices in health and safety within the workplace.

Judgement & Decision-Making:

• Models independent thinking and creativity.
• Demonstrates effective problem-solving skills.
• Makes clear, consistent, transparent and timely decisions after contemplating various available courses of action.
• Exercises sound judgment in the best interests of the organization.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills:

• Expresses themselves clearly and professionally both verbally and in writing.
• Displays high emotional intelligence; uses tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential situations.
• Has a manner, style and presence that makes a positive impression.
• Listens to and considers others\xe2\x80\x99 views.

Personal Leadership:

• Models the organization\xe2\x80\x99s core values of social justice, teamwork, social innovation, and strength-based practices.
• Fosters enthusiasm, energy and commitment.
• Takes responsibility for personal actions, performance and health.
• Is reliable and accountable; shows up on time ready to work.

Teamwork & Collaboration:

• Effectively works with their colleagues to ensure organizational success.
• Champions positive working relationships with staff and external stakeholders.
• Supports an environment of openness, and champions teamwork and communication across programs.
• Leverages the expertise and experience of others for organizational success.

Salary for this role is between $27.91 - $29.60 per hour.CLOSING DETAILS:Closing Date: Internal applications will be accepted until June 28th, 2024, at 5:00pm.\xe2\x80\x9cAll employees, including laid off and displaced employees, are entitled to apply on the vacancy and be considered pursuant to the provisions of Article 12.9.\xe2\x80\x9d Internal applicants must notify manager of intent to apply.External applicants will be reviewed after internal applicants have been reviewed and interviewed.All qualified applicants are welcome to apply. Those shortlisted will be contacted.

Phoenix Society