Social Worker - Hamilton Urban Safer Supply Program

1.0 FTE (35 hours/week)

Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre (HUCCHC) is a thriving inner city health centre and a leader in the provision of high-quality primary health services and health promotion programs. Our comprehensive health services are delivered through a dynamic team of multidisciplinary, inter-professional health providers. As an inner-city health centre our client populations include individuals and families with chronic and complex health and social conditions, many of which are living in poverty.

General Responsibilities: We are seeking one Social Worker to join our Hamilton Urban Safer Supply Program (HUSS). The program provides clients using street-based drug supply, who are at high risk of overdose in the community and of medical complications due to drug use, a regulated supply of prescription through a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in an effort to reduce overdose and overdose deaths. HUSS is a multidisciplinary team that provides primary care and wrap around social supports to eligible safe supply clients. The team consists of Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Social Worker, Health Navigator, Cultural Ambassador, and Peer Mentor.

The HUSS Social Worker (SW) is a senior level harm reduction role responsible for on-going focused psycho-social client work for individuals who are enrolled with SOS. SW are expected collaborate with other SOS colleagues including program management to ensure that SW provide high quality service delivery and making corresponding service adjustments to meet the funded project deliverables. SWs are expected to lead the psycho-social client planning and work closely with the Health Navigators (HN) to identify and delegate tasks to the appropriate wraparound role.

Specific Responsibilities

• Participate in the overall activities of the Health Centre, e.g., in-service training, committees, special events, shared staff responsibilities
• Accompaniment with clients to appointments related to key systems navigation (i.e., court appearances, systems appointments, etc.) as required
• Work collaboratively with all Teams at the Centre
• Provide client-centered case management and coordination of services to overcome barriers to services and to promote an equitable treatment for people who use drugs
• Liaise with community agencies and institutions regarding issues relevant to client needs
• Facilitate access to service and individual advocacy for clients regarding issues such as housing, income support, food and clothing, health, employment, and legal services
• Engage and provide supervision to volunteers, graduates, students and/or learners as appropriate and in accordance with the Centre’s standards and commitment to learning
• Community development work with clients, staff, and partners to improve access to resources and policies for this population
• Practice within guidelines of appropriate protocols and policies as required by your College and the Centre
• Maintain timely and appropriate written and electronic client records, reports, and correspondence
• Develop comprehensive case planning and service co-ordination
• Experience with individual and group assessment and group facilitation
• Provide individual and group counselling in support of client’s specific needs and goals
• Works closely with the safer supply prescribers to provide immediate crisis support and case management to ensure appropriate navigation and access to services

Qualifications

• Case management/service navigation, crisis intervention experience; preferably in a community health setting
• Bachelor of Social Work, preferably a Master of Social Work, must possess current registration with Ontario College of Social Work and Social Service Workers
• Proficiency in current assessment, psychosocial and single session counseling techniques that are trauma-informed and strength-resiliency-based
• Proficiency in the use of computers and various software applications
• Demonstrated ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams
• Knowledge of drug use, specifically injection drug use, acquired through a combination of work experience, lived experience and/or education or training, are familiar with community services and resources, and respect and value the diversity of communities and individuals
• A current police record check
• Working experience with individuals and groups who have concurrent mental health and substance use issues, who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, criminal justice involvement, etc. preferably in a community health setting
• Experience working with staff and service users who come from diverse racial, gender, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds and who may have lived experienced of homelessness, living in poverty, mental health, social isolation, and substance use

Interested individuals should forward a resume and cover letter by

Wednesday, August 23, 2023 @ 12:00PM to:

Hiring Committee – HUSS Social Worker

Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre Suite

121-181 Main Street Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4S1

Fax: 905-522-5374

Hamilton Urban Core is committed to equity in employment. While we appreciate every application only those selected for an interview will be contacted.