JOB POSTING

Addiction Services

Harm Reduction Worker

Full-Time, Permanent

1 Position

Wage $25.60 Per Hour

(Plus Benefits & RRSP) *

Posting No. MS0617

OBJECTIVE:

Mission Services is seeking a Harm Reduction Worker who will provide support and assistance to individuals accessing Mission Services programs. The Harm Reduction Worker will increase knowledge and awareness of harm reduction practices, reduce immediate risk of harm to individuals, and increase access to community services. The Harm Reduction Worker will be mobile, and will work flexible hours that may include weekends and evenings. The Harm Reduction workers will form a team of experts that will respond to a variety of situations, across Mission Services programs, providing expert support to frontline staff who are challenged by individuals who are considered high-risk due to their substance use.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide overdose education and supports to individuals using services at the four designated Mission Services’ sites
• Develop individualized harm reduction plans with substance users who are considered to be at high risk; these plans will focus on safer use, and include strategies the individual can use to reduce the harm to themselves, and ensure they are able to access programs without restrictions
• Complete referrals to appropriate health and community agencies
• Support Mission Services’ staff members by offering harm reduction education in the capacity of staff orientation and ongoing education based on most up-to-date practices and emerging trends
• Act as an ambassador with businesses, schools and other sites close to Mission Services’ locations to reduce tensions, provide outreach, education, and liaise with neighbours and management as needed
• Seek opportunities to incorporate harm reduction strategies within current structures at each site to help improve outcomes for substance users within Mission Services
• Organize health promotional activities and increase client knowledge of community resources and safer use e.g. set up visits for Hep C teams, The Van, CHC, Public Health, Taking Steps Groups, legal supports
• Alert teams to overdose spikes in Hamilton and put up posters/communicate with substance users when there are more risky drugs in the area
• Provide hands on support during overdose events in coordination with the staffing team – where possible be the point person where appropriate for ensuring Naloxone is administered, connecting with EMS, and follow-up with the individual after overdose
• Sit on appropriate committees, groups and collectives to promote systemic advocacy
• Adhere to a strict policy of confidentiality
• Work safely, identify any health and safety concerns and report these to management, and follow Mission Services workplace health and safety policies and procedures at all times
• Other duties as required to ensure the continuation of service

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in related field

• Degree or diploma in Mental Health, Addictions, or Concurrent Disorders preferred

• Experience working with high risk substance users, both male and female, who may have intersecting issues of homelessness and encampment living, incarceration, mental health, and problematic substance use

• Excellent knowledge of harm reduction principles, practices and materials and ability to effectively apply this knowledge

• Has knowledge of the Community in and around Hamilton and its social service supports

• Demonstrates the ability to de-escalate crisis situations, promote harm reduction and assist individuals in safety planning

• Excellent communication skills; oral and written

• Ability to build positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues and community partners and to work as a united team

• Committed to upholding the organization’s mission, values and standards

• Second language is an asset

• Access to a vehicle and valid G level driver’s license is an asset

HOURS OF WORK:

• 37.5 hours per week

REQUIREMENTS:

• Police Vulnerable Sector Check
• Two-Step Tuberculosis Skin Test

COMPENSATION:

• Hourly wage starts at $25.60 per hour
• • Benefits after 3-months of continuous, active employment
  • Group RRSP employer matching up to 3% after one (1) year of continuous employment

**REPORTS TO:**Supervisor of Addiction Services

At Mission Services of Hamilton, we value diversity in our employees and we work from an anti-racism/anti-oppression framework and strive for equity and inclusion.

We strive to foster an organization that reflects the diversity of the community we serve and welcome applications

from all qualified candidates. We encourage applications from individuals from underserved and underrepresented

cultural and racial communities, from First Nations Inuit and Metis communities, Two-Spirit, LGBTQIA+

communities, people living with disabilities, and those with lived experience of abuse, food insecurity, homelessness,

mental health difficulties and addictions.

Mission Services is also committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. If contacted,

please advise us if you require any accommodation measures to ensure you will be interviewed in a fair and

equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality.