Peel Uphns Harm Reduction Worker

Peel UPHNS Harm Reduction Worker

Number of Full Time contract positions: 2

Number of Part Time contract positions: 2

Hourly wage range: $24.80 - $27.88

Position includes paid medical benefits and RRSP contributions following probation period.

These positions are for a two year contract period.

Please note that the hours of operation of the site are 12pm – 8pm, seven days a week, including holidays. Candidates will need to be available to work during these times. This is an in-person position, remote work options are not available.

For over two decades, Moyo (previously known as Peel HIV/AIDS Network) has provided a growing array of health promotion, education, social and support services for people living with, affected by, and at systemic risk of HIV. Through collaborative efforts and effective service delivery, Moyo has become the leading HIV/AIDS service provider for Peel’s communities of Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon.

As part of the comprehensive range of Harm Reduction programs offered by Moyo HCS, The Peel Urgent Public Health Needs Site (UPHNS) is a low threshold, health care service where people can use pre-obtained drugs in a hygienic environment under the supervision of trained staff and receive basic health care, Harm Reduction teaching and counselling as well as referrals to internal and external health and social services, also known as a Supervised Consumption Site. The Peel UPHNS is targeted to open before the end of 2023.

Striving for excellence in client-centred care and education, you’ll work as part of the multidisciplinary, integrated UPHNS staff team, within a trauma informed, Harm Reduction framework, and in alignment with the vision and values of Moyo HCS. In so doing, you’ll help ensure that UPHNS operations comply with all exemption requirements and guidelines, as well as Moyo policies and procedures.

Staff at the Peel UPHNS provide support to people who use drugs, some of whom are street involved, often dealing with the complexities of substance use, lack of affordable housing, mental health issues, and challenges navigating complex systems. In this role you will be exposed to people experiencing medical crises, you will observe and support drug use, you may experience grief and loss of people you have built relationships with.

Reporting to the UPHNS Manager, and working with WellFort Clinical staff, the UPHNS Harm Reduction Worker will be responsible for the following:

• Supports service users to administer their own drugs; assesses service user knowledge of safe drug consumption processes and works with service user to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Completes intake and assessments, work with clinical team to prevent, identify, respond to, and manage overdose events; provides overdose prevention education and support.
• De-escalates conflict with or among participants, according to established protocols.
• Provides Harm Reduction materials and information to service users and ensures safe disposal of used equipment in accordance with established protocols.
• Seeks out opportunities to provide peer-to-peer support, education, and referrals to services.
• Maintains a hygienic, organized, comfortable and respectful environment.
• Assists with stocking and organization of supplies.
• Works collaboratively with other team members, participates in interdisciplinary case conferences and team meetings, and collegially shares knowledge of drug using community with other staff.
• Helps to ensure operations of the UPHNS comply with all exemption requirements and guidelines, as well as all Moyo policies and procedures.
• Works to maintain positive relationships with surrounding community including Police and security staff.
• Attends mandatory training as applicable.
• Fill in for other positions when required.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent. Relevant post secondary education is an asset.
• Lived experience as (or working with people who reflect) Moyo’s priority client populations: people who are living with, at risk of and affected by HIV, people who use drugs, Racialized people, Indigenous people, people who engage in sex work, prisoners/ex-prisoners, people with mental health issues, and people who have experienced trauma, people who have experienced homelessness or street involvement would be an asset.
• Proven experience with overdose response and training in/experience with oxygen and Naloxone administration.
• Work experience with a Harm Reduction program. Previous experience working at a Supervised Consumption Site is an asset.
• Physical ability to provide support in an overdose situation.
• Experience and knowledge of drug use, specifically injection drug use.
• Experience utilizing Harm Reduction principles and strategies.
• Experience providing peer-to-peer support.
• Demonstrated ability to de-escalate conflict.
• Confidence in asserting oneself and maintaining strong boundaries.
• Knowledge of community services and resources; strong advocacy skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to listen actively and accurately.
• Demonstrated respect for diversity, equity, anti-racism, and accessibility with the ability to work collaboratively and positively with others.
• Demonstrated display of sensitivity to others.
• Open, non-judgmental, and willing to learn.
• Basic computer skills including email.
• Respects and values the diversity of communities and individuals.
• Over 18. (Note that no one under the age of 18 will be permitted onsite including the children of staff and service users)
• Ability to work in a stressful and sometimes traumatic environment.

Training:

Candidates will receive mandatory training in the following areas:

• Harm Reduction
• Overdose prevention, recognition, and response
• HIV/Hep C and sexual health training
• Cultural competency
• Anti-oppression/anti racism
• Non-violent crisis intervention
• De-escalation and conflict resolution
• First Aid
• Mental Health First Aid

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position and value the time you have put into applying.

However, due to volume of applicants and limited resources, only candidates who are selected for interviews will be contacted by phone and/or email.

Please apply directly through Indeed or by emailing Sandeep Somal, Human Resource & Administrative Coordinator at sandeps@moyohcs.ca with the subject line: “UPHNS Harm

Reduction Worker Application” Please include your Resume and Cover Letter tailored to the aforementioned job requirements. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are interested in a full time (5 days/week) or part-time (2.5 days/week) position. Positions are open until filled.

Moyo Health & Community Services promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applicants living with or affected by HIV to apply, along with people with lived/living experience of substance use. We also encourage people of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities, health statuses, gender identities and expressions, and sexual orientations to apply. Please note that disclosure of any of the above-mentioned identities is not required.

Job Types: Part-time, Full-time
Part-time hours: 40 per week

Salary: $24.80-$27.88 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Brampton, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person