SAFER Systems Navigator

at  AVI Health 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 take evidence-based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework to ensure equity and access to services for all. At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. Every day, we strive to create meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. For more info see www.avi.org
SAFER is a flexible, community-based, harm reduction program that provides safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the currently toxic drug supply. SAFER is located on the territories of the Lekwungen peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations). The SAFER Harm Reduction Workforce program provides dedicated access to prescribed safe supply for people who work in harm reduction services and otherwise meet the criteria for the service. The SAFER 713 Prescribed Safe Supply program provides access to prescribed safe supply for people who access the 713 drop-in who meet the criteria for service.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the direct supervision of the SAFER Program Manager, the SAFER Systems Navigator will provide coordination, care-planning and system navigation for the SAFER and Workforce programs. They will coordinate care in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team. They will practice harm reduction in their relationships to build trust and assist participants in their engagement with the program and connect them to other health and social supports. This role will provide support to participants accessing pharmaceutical alternatives through the SAFER and Workforce programs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree in health or social services, Counselling, Social Work, Psychology, etc. or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of four years of demonstrated experience in the direct delivery of social services, ideally in harm reduction services including light case management and safe supply programs.
• 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 for positions covered by the order.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, program participants, community, and other service providers.
• Direct service delivery and advocacy experience with community-based and provincial support services and systems (income, housing, healthcare, legal systems, etc.).
• Demonstrated practice of social justice, anti-racism, decolonization and trauma-informed care.
• Demonstrated understanding of public health and equity-oriented models of social support and health care.
• Commitment to harm reduction principles and practice, with experience working alongside coworkers, and with program participants, who experience intersecting systemic oppression.
• Commitment to honor and learn about local indigenous communities and to recognize the ongoing impacts of colonial violence.
• Demonstrated ability to provide support and advocate for a diverse range of individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant barriers to their health and well-being.
• Demonstrated empathic observer invested in respectful relationship-building.
• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction/health promotion practices, safer sex and safer drug use practices, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, poverty, trauma and mental health.
• Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and diffusing techniques.
• Ability to problem solve with creativity, flexibility, assertiveness and a ‘cool head’ in dealing with complex issues.
• Experience with data collection and reporting tasks.
• First Aid certification and experience responding to critical incidents and overdose, including administration of naloxone.
• An Asset but NOT required: Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License and use of own vehicle for work purposes.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position and operate related equipment.
• Practiced advocacy skills and ability to effectively navigate complex and convoluted systems access requirements of various health and social supports (e.g. income, housing, healthcare, treat mentoptions, etc.).
• Excellent prioritization and time management skills, including ability to triage crises, urgent demands and complex situations within assigned working hours.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of stakeholders including people impacted by poverty, substance use, criminalization, people who use drugs, service providers, funders and other community members.
• Case Management skills including advocacy and referral.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and versatile in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ability to establish and maintain respectful rapport with individuals who have experienced trauma and abuse due to structural violence, stigma and discrimination.
• Ability to anticipate and identify challenges and proactively address through collaborative problem-solving.
• Crisis intervention skills with a diverse population facing significant structural barriers.
• Ability to work outdoors during all types weather in all seasons.

1. Provide assessments, intake and care planning and light case management to identified participants in the programs, including identifying and addressing any barriers to accessing prescribed safe supply. (PSS)
2. Use System User Design and Nothing About Us Without Us principles to contribute to the program and ensure continuous feedback is incorporated into program design and delivery.
3. Work both independently (under the Working Alone Policy, when appropriate) and collaboratively with the SAFER team to provide psychosocial supports for participants in the community, as well as at the program site as appropriate/if required for minimum staffing.
4. Work in partnership with the participants to support resolution of any issues with prescribers, pharmacies and other external providers.
5. Provide outreach-based supports in the community including accompaniment to appointments, home visits, and advocacy in accordance with the established care plans.
6. 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.
7. Distribute safer drug use supplies, safer sex supplies and naloxone kits, and provide information on harm reduction practices, overdose prevention and overdose response.
8. Work with SAFER and Workforce team participants to navigate administrative and financial requirements for access to pharmaceuticals according to care plan.
9. Liaise between SAFER participants and SAFER team members to support participants and assist with collaborative and proactive problem-solving as needed.
10. Maintain confidential records in accordance with privacy requirements.
11. Engage in planning, evaluation, reporting, and program development as required.
12. Foster safety by following protocols related to violence prevention and critical incidents.
13. Assist with overdose response other medical emergencies as required.
14. Perform other duties as assigned.