Harm Reduction Outreach Lead, Harm Reduction

at  LAMP Community Health Centre

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general supervision of the Manager, Adult Programs, in partnership with City of Toronto shelter staff, and working within program objectives and organizational goals, the Harm Reduction Outreach Lead will lead the harm reduction focussed work and education at a former Toronto sheltering hotel with a focus on reducing overdose events and increasing harm reduction skill-building and education through a variety of strategies.
The incumbent will ensure that all organizational policies are followed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• College or University degree in social service or social work, or equivalent experience, with at least three years of experience working with high-risk clients with complex issues; experience in conflict management and emergency response.
• Three to five years’ experience in similar work environment.
• Excellent leadership and facilitating skills and experience.
• Valid First Aid and CPR certificates are required and must be kept current every three years.
• Overdose Prevention Training Certificate, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience and knowledge of drug using communities, Harm Reduction philosophy and strategies, and barriers that prevent drug users to accessing services.
• Strong understanding of the Health Promotion, Anti-oppression framework, the Community Health Centre model, and the impact of the Social Determinants of Health, and how these principles are applied in the program; experience in individual and systemic advocacy.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships based on trust and respect, including during emotionally charged or transitional times.
• Ability to maintain focused during crisis situations, involving clients, staff and peer workers, by assessing the situation, listening to various parties involved, providing emotional support to client, providing conflict resolution when necessary and developing a plan of action and referrals.
• Current knowledge and experience working from a harm reduction approach with active drug users, street involved persons, sex workers, and individuals involved with the legal/justice system in a drop in setting and in the community.
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively in a complex environment and organize time and workload effectively.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate others and nurture a positive and welcoming atmosphere.
• Ability to provide emotional and practical support to others experiencing grief and loss by listening and responding to individual, group, and community needs.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly convey information and ideas.
• Positive attitude and dependable with strong initiative and the ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented atmosphere.
• Open minded, eager and willing to constantly learn and improve oneself.
• Knowledge of LAMP Community Health Centre, the South Etobicoke community, and/or a second language that is reflective of the community being served are all preferable assets.

PROFICIENCY IN THE FOLLOWING COMPUTER SKILLS

• Solid working knowledge and ability to navigate a PC windows environment, including shared drives.
• Strong skills and experience using Microsoft applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint & Publisher).
• Strong skills and ability to easily navigate the internet/intranet environment.
• Ability to learn new software quickly and willingness to continuously develop technology skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Occasional data entry, with short periods of time sitting stationary in front of a monitor while keyboarding.
• Ability to balance all job requirements in a busy atmosphere, including responding promptly to all communication.
• This position involves extended periods of walking and standing for up to 2 hours, and some frequent lifting may also be required.
• Demonstrates good and safe work habits, and maintains a clean working environment.
• Ensures that staff and clients are compliant with LAMP’s Health & Safety regulations and LAMP’s policies and procedures, including the immediate reporting of any breaches of Health & Safety or Environmental incidents, accidents or concerns to their respective manager/supervisor and/or the Director, Human Resources and Operations.
  As part of our mandate for inclusivity, reasonable accommodations can be made for all incumbents to perform the described physical functions of the aforementioned job.
  LAMP Community Health Centre is dedicated to achieving a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community it serves and encourages applications from equity seeking groups.
  We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls please.
  Job Types: Full-time, Contract
  Contract length: 24 months
  Pay: $26.27-$31.53 per hour
  Expected hours: 35 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)

Experience:

• Harm Reduction related leadership and facilitating: 3 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 2025-02-1

• Provide overdose prevention education and support to clients at the sheltering site located near Jane and Wilson.
• Coordinate distribution and collection of harm reduction kits and used supplies.
• Support and lead 4 iPHARE peer workers.
• Implement conflict resolution strategies when needed.
• Provide one on one practical support to service users within a drop-in setting and in the community.
• Work in collaboration with clients, site provider and teams to identify harm reduction needs.
• Participate in collaborative service planning for continuous service improvement and high-quality services.
• Assemble and distribute harm reduction supplies on site.
• Design and deliver educational workshops to service users and providers alike
• Participate in team meetings, staff meetings, and daily debriefing meetings.