HOPS Support Worker

at  AVI Health and Community Services

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community-based organization, providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework – ensuring equity and access to services for all – and from a harm reduction perspective, understanding that clients are the best sources of knowledge regarding the services and supports they need.
At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. AVI provides comprehensive, accessible and effective education, prevention, care, treatment and support services to residents of Vancouver Island with offices in Victoria, the Westshore, Nanaimo, the Comox Valley and Campbell River. For more info see www.avi.org (http://www.avi.org)
Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centered team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and/or support services.

JOB SUMMARY:

With the support of the Housing Overdose Prevention and Support (HOPS) Team Lead and Harm Reduction Teams Manager, the Housing Overdose Prevention and Support Worker provides harm-reduction based support to people living in supportive housing and shelter settings, including witnessed consumption, overdose response, safety planning, and safer use education. The HOPS Worker will utilize a relational approach to develop a sense of connection and community that promotes health and wellbeing of building residents. The team will also support ongoing peer and community-based responses to overdose, including through the provision of a peer resident responder program.
A high level of empathy, humility, and non-judgement is essential for relationship building in this role. The successful applicant will also be confident in overdose response and be knowledgeable on current harm reduction practices, sexually transmitted and blood borne infections, and local social support resources. This knowledge and approach will allow the team to build a network of support and care around building residents and to build the capacity of peer resident responders to provide harm reduction support to others in the building. This position relies on flexibility and self-motivation, including the ability to identify and respond to the needs of the residents and the larger community.
The Harm Reduction Teams work on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations).

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Diploma in health or social service field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 1-year relevant experience including harm reduction service delivery.
• First Aid training and experience responding to overdose and adverse reactions to substances, including administering naloxone and oxygen.
• Relevant training or experience in a non-violent and anti-oppressive approach to de-escalation and crisis intervention
• Strong working knowledge of local health and social services resources
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License with “Normal” driver status, and Driver’s Abstract (AVI will review the past 1 year and driving records will need to have no suspensions or prohibitions and a Driver’s Factor below 1.1) an asset.
• Able to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships, with a trauma informed and decolonial lens
• Demonstrated understanding of harm reduction principles and health promotion framework as they apply to support work.
• Demonstrated ability to provide support based in social justice, relationality, cultural humility, and trauma-informed practice.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments, including outdoors in all weather, around substance use, and inside of resident suites.
• Demonstrated capacity to consistently attend work and remain ready to work while on shift.
• Excellent communication and conflict-resolution skills. Experience working collaboratively within a team environment to support coworkers with differing skill sets and abilities.
• Ability to receive feedback from supervisors and integrate feedback into goal setting and future practice.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in an environment that is highly self-directed and requires flexibility to respond to community needs.
• To comply with current BC Public Health Orders, must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an approved medical exemption. Proof of vaccination status will be required for successful applicants.

1. Provides a variety of harm reduction-based supports to individuals living in supportive housing and shelter settings, including distribution and recovery of harm reduction supplies.
2. Monitors and assesses symptoms of overdose and responds appropriately using naloxone, rescue breathing, and oxygen.
3. Provides education on overdose response and safer substance use residents and develops individual safety plans around substance use.
4. Supports the provision of a peer responder program by providing support and debriefing to responders and facilitates connection between residents and peer workers.
5. Works in collaboration with partner agencies, including other HOPS providers, to provide training and skill development that builds the capacity of peer-led initiatives.
6. Facilitates access to local services related to substance use, social issues, and health/wellness
7. Uses brief assessment, active listening, and a non-violent approach to respond to and de-escalate crisis.
8. Maintains both paper and electronic client files and logs. Fills out critical incident and overdose report forms as needed.
9. Collaborates with housing operator to develop shared safety and care plans. Communicates resident concerns to the operator, and operator expectations to the residents.
10. Maintain safety of all program spaces by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents
11. Performs other duties as assigned