Harm Reduction Worker – Consumption Treatment Services (CTS)
We are a dynamic community-based health centre promoting social justice and health equity in the Regent Park neighbourhood and Downtown East area of Toronto. We operate out of several locations and provide a wide variety of services including: primary health care, chiropody, physiotherapy, health promotion, social work, community health, immigrant and refugee services, harm reduction and homeless programs, Pathways to Education, infant and child development programs, parenting programs, youth outreach and employment services
Job Summary
The CTS Harm Reduction Worker works as part of a multidisciplinary integrated Consumption Treatment Service (CTS) team and supports the day to day operation of the CTS and CTS client needs. This position will work collaboratively with other team members, health care professionals/service providers and clients. As a member of the CTS team, Harm Reduction Worker reports directly to the CTS Manager.
This is a Part-time Permanent Position, 21 hours per week.
This is a bargaining unit position with OPSEU Local 5115.
Salary
Hours
Application Deadline
Responsibilities Include
- Greets and engages participants for the CTS.
- Monitors and ensures appropriate client flow and number of participants into and out of the post injection room and other service areas, in accordance with staff to participant ratios.
- Assists with orienting clients to service and supporting service eligibility assessment, as needed.
- Assists in maintaining a hygienic, organized, comfortable and respectful environment in the overdose prevention room.
- Assists with inventory and stocking of supplies
- Assesses client knowledge of injection process and works to achieve the best possible health outcome for each client.
- Supervises CTS clients, who may present with a variety of acute and chronic illnesses, to administer their own injections.
- Provides overdose prevention education.
- Assist with response and management of overdose events.
- Maintains a clean working environment; sanitizes injection booths as needed.
- Helps to de-escalate conflict with or among participants, according to established protocols; communicates any concerns and dispatches staff or self to appropriate space when necessary.
- Provides education regarding best practice injection technique and the proper use of all injection supplies.
- Provides harm reduction materials and information to clients and ensures disposal of used equipment in according with established protocols.
- Promotes the voice of people using the service to be involved in the ongoing development, decision making and evaluation of the program.
Qualifications and Skills Required
- Degree/diploma in a related field, or relevant work/lived experience.
- Lived experience within the priority population, and/or experience working with racialized people, Indigenous people, people who engage in sex work, prisoners/ex-prisoners, people with mental health issues, people who have experienced trauma, and people who have experienced homelessness or street involvement is considered an asset.
- Excellent understanding and commitment to harm reduction practices and principles.
- Demonstrated experience with overdose prevention and response, and able to physically intervene in an overdose situation including Naloxone administration, is an asset.
- Understands anti-oppression principles, and able to work effectively with people of various cultural, age and economic backgrounds.
- Awareness of and sensitive to the health issues of a diverse community.
- Demonstrated interpersonal, decision making, conflict management, critical thinking, and organizational skills.
- Able to work collaboratively within and across teams.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in the use of computer technology and various software applications.
- Knowledge of the Regent Park area and issues affecting the community.
- Must have a drug and sex positive attitude.
- Must be available for weekend and/or evening shifts.
- Must have the most up to date vaccine for the protection of clients and staff.
Regent Park CHC is committed to equity and employment practices. Applications are encouraged from qualified individuals who are Indigenous people, members of racialized communities, individuals of diverse sexual orientation and gender identification, persons with disabilities and others protected under the Human Rights Code as well as individuals with lived experience in the Regent Park community.
To protect the health and well-being of our clients and employees, Regent Park Community Health Centre has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy that requires that new employees have an up to date, Health Canada approved, COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals with valid medical or human rights-based exemptions, will be considered for appropriate accommodation within the policy.
Apply For This Position
Please submit your resume and cover letter by
May 24, 2024
No phone calls, please. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. RPCHC is committed to developing an inclusive, selection process and work environment. If contacted, please advise the hiring manager if you require any accommodation during the interview process.