Rest Support Worker - Victoria, Canada - AVI Health & Community Services Society

AVI Health & Community Services Society

Verified Company

Victoria, Canada

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community-based organisation providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We take evidence-based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework to ensure equity and access to services for all.

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:

Team Support workers develop relationships with community members to support ongoing peer and community-based overdose prevention services within supportive housing and overdose prevention services, including but not limited to regular access to harm reduction supplies, witnessing, overdose response, safety planning and overdose prevention trainings and advocacy.

This position relies heavily on the abilities of the worker to connect and develop relationships of trust and rapport with service users.

A thorough understanding of the principles and practices of harm reduction, the impact of colonialism and system inequities on individual and population health, and the operationalization of trauma and violence practices are essential.

This position requires experience developing and facilitating harm reduction educational programming, and the awareness, empathy, ability to provide non-judgemental support in group settings.

Confidence in group facilitation, advocacy, as well as overdose response are essential to this position.

This position will also provide accurate information regarding HIV, HCV and other blood-borne disease transmission and prevention strategies, as well as evidence-based educational and harm reduction intervention to individuals and priority populations to increase knowledge of overdose prevention and response strategies.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Safe transportation of HRS teams, program participants, supplies and disposals between programming sites and locations.
Responsible for harm reduction supply distribution and recovery
Develop and facilitate harm reduction based educational programming to persons living in Supportive Housing, including overdose prevention and peer skill development.
Provide on the spot, and groupbased training in safer substance use, overdose prevention education and first aid response, including education on administration of naloxone and overdose response.
Monitor and support people who are using substances. Assess for overdose symptoms and respond with rescue breathing and naloxone when necessary.
Maintain the safety of all program spaces by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents (such as overdose prevention and response), including the ability to use communication devices.
Identify and develop safety plans with people who are using substances who are at increased risk of overdose.
Maintain both paper and electronic confidential records, as required.
Provides training and support to build capacity for peer lead initiatives.
Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Diploma in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Support Worker, etc.) or equivalent combination of education and experience
Valid Class 5 BC Driver's License with 1 year free of holds and restrictions.
1year minimum direct harm reduction service delivery experience in the community social services sector. Or equivalent relevant experience.
First Aid training and experience responding to critical incidents and overdose response, including administration of naloxone.
Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges.
Demonstrated cultural safety and humility, and traumainformed practices.
Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care
Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices.
Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing nonviolent communication, and diffusing techniques.
Ability to problem solve with creativity, flexibility, and assertiveness in dealing with complex issues.
Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with coworkers, clients, community, and other service providers.
Strong working knowledge of local health and social services
Ability to adjust and t