Positive Wellness Program 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-centred 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.
Our Positive Wellness Program provides integrated services to individuals living with HIV and/or hepatitis C, including advocacy and support with income assistance, health care services, employment, housing, disability status applications and legal matters; short-term counseling focused on immediate needs and outcomes; non-judgmental education and support for treatment, food security and nutrition.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Positive Wellness Program Support Worker is responsible for the provision and delivery of direct services to persons living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C. Under the supervision of the manager, staff will use a harm reduction model to give care to a wide variety of service users at the office and in the community.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Diploma in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health & Addictions Support Worker, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and work/lived experience.
• A minimum of two years’ relevant work experience
• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction principles and practices.
• Direct service delivery and advocacy experience with community-based and provincial support services and systems (financial aid, housing, healthcare, justice system, etc.)
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License and access to vehicle to drive clients.
• Able to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships, with a trauma informed and decolonial lens
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport, provide support and advocate for a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges.
• Demonstrated empathic observer invested in respectful relationship-building.
• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction/health promotion practices, safer using practices, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, poverty issues, mental health concerns and substance use.
• Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care
• Understanding of the impact on individual health and well-being, as well as the considerations for service delivery related to systemic barriers associated with poverty, mental health, substance use, trauma, racism, ongoing colonialism, heterosexism, and gender discrimination.
• Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and using trauma informed practice.
• Demonstrated experience planning and developing workshops.
• Strong public speaking and group facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated time management and personal organization skills to effectively support a high volume of client work.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Commitment to honor local indigenous communities and a dedication to lessening the ongoing impacts of colonial violence.
• Committed to social justice, equity, anti-racism and decolonization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, and demonstrated commitment to working within a collaborative team approach.
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Ability to organize and prioritize.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients and recognize changes in folks.
• Ability to analyze and resolve issues through conflict resolution and crisis interventions skills.
• Advocacy skills
• Leadership experience
• Ability to work with a diverse clientele facing significant structural vulnerability.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Understanding of the psycho-social issues affecting people living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C
• Ability to carry out physical duties of position.

1. Actively engages with individuals who are living with, or at risk for, HIV/Hepatitis C, using a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction.
2. Use brief assessment, crisis response, and counselling skills to help meet immediate, basic needs (e.g. applications and follow-up regarding housing, income, identification, etc.) and make appropriate referrals to other health and support services.
3. Advocate on behalf of clients with various Ministries and agencies to ensure clients receive maximum information and support.
4. Work with clients on issues such as housing, medical, legal and other support agencies.
5. Bi-monthly group facilitation for identified priority populations.
6. Attend appointments with service users in the community.
7. Distribute harm reduction supplies and provide education and support regarding safer substance use and safer sex.
8. Conduct individual or group education sessions, and compiles educational materials to meet clients’ needs, as required.
9. Provide testing information, education and referrals to clients both onsite and during outreach activities.
10. Coordinate targeted testing events for priority populations
11. Provide onsite supervision and support to service users
12. Work in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services, including Positive Wellness Service providers.
13. Provide support and referral to people who have survived overdose(s) including Opiate Agonist Treatment (OAT) and other resources.
14. Participate in the regional STOP HIV Collaborative and other HIV/Hepatitis C community initiatives.
15. Engage in planning, evaluation, and program development as directed.
16. Maintain both paper and electronic confidential client files.
17. Perform other duties as assigned.