AVI HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES (AVI ) is a multi-disciplinary community-based organization, providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island.
AVI provides services to more than 500 people living with HIV and hepatitis C and more than 3000 harm reduction clients.
We work within a social justice and health promotion framework ensuring equity and access to services for all and from a harm reduction perspective, understanding that clients are the best sources of knowledge regarding the services and supports they need.
At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs.
AVI provides comprehensive, accessible, and effective education, prevention, care, treatment, and support services to residents of Vancouver Island with offices in Victoria, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley, and Campbell River.
For more info see www.avi.org
Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centred team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and / or support services.
JOB SUMMARY :
The Harm Reduction Support Worker provides a broad range of low barrier, harm reduction supports to individuals accessing harm reduction programming and services.
The Harm Reduction Support Worker will provide evidence-based educational and harm reduction interventions to individuals and priority populations to increase knowledge on harm reduction, substance use, overdose prevention, sexual health / sexual decision-making, HIV and other blood-borne disease transmission and prevention strategies, and facilitate behavior change to prevent transmission.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
1. Responsible for harm reduction supply distribution and recovery
2. Uses brief assessment, active listening, and crisis response skills to help meet immediate, basic needs and make appropriate referrals to other health and support services within the community.
3. Provides education, resources and support regarding safer substance use, safer substance techniques and safer sex, HIV, hepatitis C, and STIs
4. As needed, assess for overdose symptoms, and respond with rescues breaths and Naloxone for service users on site.
5. Provides overdose prevention education, including education on the administration of Naloxone.
6. Facilitates in office Naloxone distribution to service users and other community organizations.
7. Provides on the spot training in overdose prevention and response.
8. Provides support to Peer groups that work with AVI, including payment of honoraria.
9. Provides brief support, basic direction and appropriate referrals to other health and support services.
10. Engages with clients in a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction.
11. Maintains the safety of all program spaces by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents (such as overdose prevention and response).
12. Works in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services.
13. Keeps electronic records and compiles reports.
14. Maintains both paper and electronic confidential client files as required.
15. Assists with office ordering, supplier communication, stock records.
16. Manages community distribution of harm reduction supplies and maintain distribution records.
17. Engages in planning, evaluation, and program development as requested by the Manager.
18. Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS :
SKILLS AND ABILITIES :
POSITION DETAILS :
At this time, AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account. If you are not already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan, part time staff may become eligible after 2 years with AVI.
TO APPLY :
To apply, please click on Apply to Position send your resume and cover letter (optional). This role is open until filled, and applications will be reviewed in an ongoing basis.
AVI is committed to equity and diversity, and we strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Indigenous Persons, persons of color, racialized, persons living with a disability, persons who use / d drugs, persons with experience of sex work, persons who live with HIV and / or hepatitis C, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.
It is beneficial to identify in the cover letter if you are Indigenous and / or have lived / living expertise relevant to the position.
Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
As AVI is a union environment, internal staff will be prioritized in the hiring process.
We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.