SCOPE AND LEVEL DEFINITION

Union: BCGEU Community Sub-sector Client Services Benchmark 81401

There are multiple positions available, part time Sunday - Tuesday and Casual. Please note that the shift times are 11 a.m. - 9 p.m and the site is open 365 days per year including statutory holidays.

Reporting to the Harm Reduction Coordinator or designate, the Harm Reduction Worker (HRW) will function within the team at the Overdose Prevention Site (OPS). This site is a harm reduction focused, sterile environment operating as a lifeguard station for service users. The HRW will witness drug consumption, maintain confidentiality, engage with vulnerable individuals who are experiencing homelessness, substance use challenges and mental health. Interactions with service users may include providing a variety of support including but not limited to community resources, referrals, general information, role modeling appropriate coping skills, distributing harm reduction supplies and responding to overdose as required.

The HRW will work independently and collaboratively with the OPS team and other health care providers to provide integrated support to clients accessing the site services to meet service users where they’re at and improve outcomes for individuals.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

- Engages positively with people who use illicit substances and other stigmatized populations using a harm reduction approach.

- Builds rapport, provides support and information for a diverse range of clients including individuals who are actively using substances and living with signicant health challenges.

- Applies sound judgement, staying grounded and uses creativity, exibility and assertiveness when working through often unpredictable situations and emergencies.

- Responds to changeable and sometimes volatile behaviours utilizing non-violent communication and deescalation techniques

- Observes consumption of illicit substances,



monitors changes in physical and psychological status and provides overdose response using Basic Life Support and oxygen as appropriate including but not limited to taking vital signs using SP02 monitoring and BVM.

- Uses Harm Reduction principles when engaging with all individuals, dispensing harm reduction supplies in accordance with established policy

- Performs security duties and clean up duties for the facility such as patrolling buildings and grounds to manage client flow, identify potential security risks, collect discarded items and maintain environmental awareness.

- Directs clients in peer work activities including engagement and general cleaning duties.

- Performs housekeeping duties such as sanitizing tables, sweeping and mopping oors and dusting.

- Performs administrative support duties such as answering calls, giving referrals, and providing program information to clients, other agencies, and the public.

- Completes and maintains related records and documentation such as user data, incident reports, daily stats and logbooks.

- Works professionally and ethically in a team setting, including the ability to maintain condentiality, and stay focused on the client’s needs.

- Communicates and collaborates within the OPS team, other CMHA staff and programs.

- Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Typical Education, Training and Experience

- Post-Secondary certification in Community Social Services or related program including but not limited to addiction counselling or Human Services.

- Certificates in Basic Life Support,



First Aid and O2 Training

- Naloxone Training

- Indigenous Cultural Sensitivity Training

- Comfortable observing people injecting and inhaling drugs

- Recent, related experience of one year

- Valid Criminal Record Check

- Must have the physical, mental and emotional ability to perform the duties of the position
Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experienceOr other Qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the level of work

Typical Skills and Abilities

- Knowledge of current social issues related to homelessness, mental health and substance use

- Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation principles

- Demonstrated ability to develop effective relationships following harm reduction principles

- Demonstrated knowledge of community resources including applicable harm reduction resources

- Comprehensive interpersonal skills including the ability to display tact and diplomacy

- Ability to interact with people of all ages, identities and cultural backgrounds

- Ability to problem solve and manage conict effectively

- Excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate with a broad range of professionals

- Ability to work constructively as a part of team

- Comfortable working independently, and in cooperation with others

- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position including but not limited to walking, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, bending and kneeling.

- Ability to operate related equipment including but not limited to iOS, OS X, file sharing and in some cases drug testing equipment (training provided)

- Ability to organize and prioritize immediate needs and risk management

- Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients

- Demonstrated ability to set and maintain boundaries
- Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills

📌 Harm Reduction Worker (Canada)
🏢 Canadian Mental Health Association Mid-Island
📍 Canada