Safety Support Worker- Relief

Relief Positions Available
Safety Support Worker Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS)
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

• Schedules are subject to change based on the operational needs of the service
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends and Holidays, including 12-hr shifts
• Certification in oxygen therapy and airway management an asset
• Lived experience of drug use and/or experience in advocacy for persons who use drugs considered assets
• Experience in a drop-in, outreach or shelter setting is an asset
• Degree or Diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from a community college or university, and or experience working in a Recreation setting required
• Demonstrated experience in designing, planning, executing, and evaluating recreational activities and therapeutic programs for Persons who use drugs.
• Create a welcoming presence to all clients of the Centre, and in particular welcome and support Harm Reduction clients and those accessing the CTS
• 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
• Must be available to work rotational schedule
• 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
• Excellent knowledge and experience regarding harm reduction approaches and experience in overdose response is an asset.
• Experience and knowledge working within Medical Directives, and with regulated health professionals is an asset
• Good understanding of health promotion, HIV and HCV transmission, Hepatitis A, B and C, STI’s
• Commitment to working from a health equity and anti-oppressive lens
• Work collaboratively with the all-Community Health Centre staff teams
• Ensuring the safe access and use of the Centre during evenings and weekends
• Experience supporting people living with homelessness, mental health, and addictions challenges