About Us

Founded in 1988, Casey House is a sub-acute specialty hospital providing a continuum of care in a comfortable environment for adults living with HIV/AIDS, through a comprehensive range of inpatient, outpatient and community care services. Casey House is committed to providing compassionate care by an extensive inter-professional team. If you have a passion and interest in joining an organization focused on supporting people with complex medical and psychosocial needs, and enjoy working in a dynamic environment, consider this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our clients!

Position: Harm Reduction Worker

Reports to: Outpatient Clinical Manager

Status: Casual, part-time (OPSEU bargaining unit)

Hourly wage: $31.52 to $37.12, plus pay in lieu of vacation (6%) and benefits (14%)

Hours of work: Scheduled as needed, Primarily Monday to Friday, (with evening and weekend work as scheduled).

Position Overview**:**

The harm reduction worker will work across the hospital to ensure harm reduction initiatives are implemented in a way that aligns with our clients’ needs, and our philosophy of care. Every staff member, peer and volunteer at Casey House is responsible for ensuring our values align with our practices. This role will assist in ensuring the day-to-day operations of harm reduction services are responsive and running smoothly.

Harm reduction is a core value at Casey House, integral to supporting those affected by the opioid epidemic. The HRW will assist clients in safely using substances within the Supervised Consumption Site (SCS), conduct needs assessments, provide education, support, and respond to overdoses. Additionally, the HRW will assist in crisis de-escalation and make referrals to both internal and external services as needed, always operating in compliance with SCS exemption requirements.

A component of this role will be to work with the peer program and Harm Reduction Lead to identify, train and implement the role of peers into our harm reduction services.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain daily operations of harm reduction services, including the Supervised Consumption Services (SCS), outreach initiatives, harm reduction supply distribution, sharps collection, and program facilitation.
• Oversee offsite drug checking program within the consumption site in compliance with exemption requirements.
• Conduct pre- and post-consumption assessments with clients, and document as appropriate.
• Monitor clients for adverse reactions post-consumption.
• Assess, respond to, and support the response of overdose events.
• Provide education on safer use, overdose prevention, and harm reduction to clients.
• Ensure consumption area and post-consumption area are clean, stocked and ready for use.
• Collaborate closely with harm reduction peers to enhance service delivery, training, and peer integration within the SCS environment.
• Refer clients internally for appropriate wrap around services.
• Work in compliance with SCS Health Canada exemption requirements.
• Provide crisis de-escalation when required.
• Support the training and integration of peers and Casey House staff into the SCS environment.
• Act as a knowledge resource, providing expertise and supporting the professional development of internal staff in harm reduction and client care.
• Documentation and keeping of program statistics as require

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years direct supervised consumption service experience.
• Lived experience of substance use/ homelessness and HIV is a strong asset.
• Physical ability to provide support in an overdose situation.
• Proven experience in overdose response and naloxone administration; experience in systems navigation or case management is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability in de-escalation and crisis interventions.
• Ability to facilitate groups and provide harm reduction related education considered an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Sound knowledge of harm reduction, trauma informed care, HIV, and anti-oppression frameworks required.
• Confidence in asserting oneself and maintaining strong boundaries.
• Comprehensive understanding of community-based services and supports which address issues of poverty, gender equity, homelessness, marginalization, mental health and substance.
• Strong inter-personal skills and proven ability to build and maintain positive relationships with staff, peers and with diverse community stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, multi-task and navigate complex situations.
• Ability to exercise good judgement when addressing safety incidents on site.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint) required. Experience with project management software as well as electronic health records is an asset.
• Knowledge of other languages is an asset

At Casey House, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve, including those living with HIV/AIDS. Casey House is committed to providing accommodation in all parts of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.