Part Time Safety Support Worker - Consumption And Treatment Service

HAMILTON URBAN CORE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE

Strong Core, Healthier Lives

Safety Support Worker Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS)

Part-Time Positions Available

Hamilton Urban Core is a thriving inner city health centre and a leader in the provision of high-quality primary health services and health promotion programs.

The Safety Support Worker works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide health care will provide support and resources to individuals accessing the CTS.

As a member of the Consumption and Treatment Service Team , the Safety Support Worker provides support to all activities within the CTS, including but not limited to: intake & harm reduction supply distribution & disposal; supervision & health teaching for safer drug consumption including injection; crisis intervention; overdose prevention, identification & response including naloxone and oxygen administration; information and referrals; practical assistance; counselling based on self referrals; advocacy; log keeping & data entry; and case coordination with internal and external service partners in ensuring coordinated, wrap-around care for each CTS client.

The Safety Support Worker will also be responsible for supporting interdisciplinary CTS staff with overdose prevention and intervention, with a strong understanding of CTS client flow, an ability to build trusting rapport with CTS clientele, and intervene in crisis situations to support CTS staff with overdose interventions as needed.

This position is mobile, stationed primarily outdoors. Working collaboratively all Centre staff teams this position will have a focus on welcoming and supporting harm reduction clients in their access to the Centre, with a focus on supporting the smooth operations of the CTS within and around the Centre, including liaising internally with Centre staff, programs, and peer workers, and externally with neighbours and the community as needed.

This role will have key responsibilities relating to the management of the safety and security of the Centre and CTS clients, including but not limited to: directing client flow; doing regular space checks for clients; monitoring and attending to the outside of the building, including daily outdoor clean-ups, client flow management and maintaining designated smoke free outdoor areas. This role will have a key accountability in the identification, response, resolution, follow up and management of harm reduction client escalations and subsequent access plans/restrictions. This position will have a key responsibility in supporting, coordinating and supervising peer volunteers in their shift duties. Our office is fully compliant with all COVID-19 protocols.

The Successful Candidate Will Have

• Experience in a drop-in, outreach or shelter setting is an asset
• Commitment to working from a health equity and anti-oppressive lens
• Experience and knowledge in working with regulated health professionals an asset
• Early response to any situations that require de-escalation. Support harm reduction clients with any symptoms they are having related to substance use, mental health, or trauma, and getting team support when needed to quickly and effectively support de- escalations
• Lived experience of drug use and/or experience in advocacy for persons who use drugs considered assets
• Schedules are subject to change based on the operational needs of the service
• Experience working within Medical Directives an asset
• Degree in Social Work (BSW), behaviour therapy, psychology, or related health discipline plus three years’ experience and passion for working with high-risk populations and active drug users OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Degree or Diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from a community college or university, and or experience working in a Recreation setting required
• Must be available to work rotational schedule
• Good understanding of health promotion, HIV and HCV transmission, Hepatitis A, B and C, STI’s
• Experience supporting people living with homelessness, mental health, and addictions challenges
• Certification in oxygen therapy and airway management an asset
• Ensuring the safe access and use of the Centre during evenings and weekends
• Create a welcoming presence to all clients of the Centre, and in particular welcome and support Harm Reduction clients and those accessing the CTS
• Experience in overdose response is an asset
• Demonstrated experience in designing, planning, executing, and evaluating recreational activities and therapeutic programs for Persons who use drugs.
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends and Holidays, including 12-hr shifts
• Excellent knowledge and experience regarding harm reduction approaches
• Work collaboratively with the all-Community Health Centre staff teams

Interested individuals should forward a resume and cover letter by Friday, August 18, 2023, 5:00 pm to:

Hiring Committee Safety Support Worker Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS)

Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre

181 Main St. W. #121 Street Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4Y4

Hamilton Urban Core is committed to equity in employment