Harm Reduction Specialist

Job Title: Harm Reduction Specialist

Office Location: Watertown

Salary: $20.00/Hourly

Classification: Part-time, Non-Exempt. Fifteen – Twenty (15 – 20) per week; occasional evenings and weekends are expected for workshops, conferences, and seminars.

Position Summary: The Harm Reduction Specialist provides compassionate, person-centered support to individuals who are eligible for, or are already accessing, harm reduction, safer use, and overdose prevention supplies. This role focuses on outreach and engagement activities to build trust with eligible individuals. This role will also focus on distributing harm reduction supplies (such as sterile syringes and naloxone), offering education on safer drug use, overdose prevention strategies, and connecting participants to additional health, support, and social services. The Harm Reduction Specialist engages in outreach and recruitment, advocates for client needs, and works collaboratively with community partners to promote well-being, and empower individuals to make informed decisions about personal safety on their own terms.

Apply: recruitment@acrhealth.org

 Qualifications:

1. Diploma/GED with 2+ years’ experience working in non-profit social service agency providing direct client-related services to diverse populations {e.g., people who use drugs (PWUD), justice involved individuals, those with mental health diagnosis, etc.} or equivalent combination of education and experience.  This is a critical component to the agency and the work that is done in the community.
2. Fluency in both Spanish and English is preferred.
3. Computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office are a must.
4. Sensitivity to HIV and chronic illness, active substance use, and a strong commitment to the mission, vision, and values of ACR health are essential.
5. Lived experience of homelessness, substance use, and/or overdose is preferred.
6. BIPOC and/or LGBTQI+ candidates are encouraged to apply.

 Responsibilities:

1. Incorporate best practices regarding confidentiality into all job duties and communications in accordance with Article 27-F HIV Confidentiality, 42 CFR Part 2, HIPAA privacy practices, agency policies, all state/federal regulatory requirements, as well as applicable contractual obligations.
2. The position will support the harm reduction team, and will conduct outreach, recruitment, and intake activities, as well as individual screenings, referrals and offer other linkage services.
3. Provide linkage to mental health support, prevention services, and facilitate referrals for ongoing primary care, specialty medical care, and substance treatment services for PWUD.
4. Conduct collaborative outreach in the community, targeting priority locations and individuals to promote and facilitate access to harm reduction and overdose prevention supplies, education, risk reduction counseling, and health counseling and testing services.
5. Provide individuals with treatment, readiness assessments and linkage to insurance navigation.
6. Maintain accurate client and service records in accordance with policies and procedures.
7. Maintain accurate notes of client encounters in AIRS and other designated systems.
8. Prepare all required reports and support data which relate to specific prevention department activities and assigned by designated supervisory staff.
9. Identify and develop networking relationships with community-based organizations.
10. Conduct collaborative outreach in the community with local partners and engage with individuals from other organizations to accomplish shared goals.
11. Assist with the general work of the department, including special projects and general agency programs/initiatives.
12. Participate in appropriate and applicable training/professional development opportunities for a minimum of 24 hours of curriculum-based training annually.
13. Participate as a culturally competent member of the department and agency, which includes having the capacity to function effectively as an individual within the context of cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities.
14. Work in a cooperative, collegial style with all other organizational personnel.
15. Conduct oneself in a professional manner as an agency employee and representative. This includes maintaining professionalism for interactions with other agencies and services providers during outreach, tabling, education, etc.
16. Perform other duties assigned by the Harm Reduction Program Manager, Director of Harm Reduction & Prevention, Chief Program Officer and/or Chief Executive Officer.