Harm Reduction Housing Worker - CASUAL

Job Purpose:

Harm Reduction Housing Workers are accountable for delivering harm reduction programs and services to tenants/participants to support their health and well-being as well as their tenancies as residents of the Overlook, including: •

• Delivering ‘on-demand’ harm reduction supports and programs following a ‘housing first’ philosophy as part of a collaborative team.
• Following prescribed policies and procedures associated with the housing program
• Supporting participants through a person-centered approach
• Attending to overdoses and administering naloxone

Harm Reduction Housing Workers work with an interdisciplinary team to support participants of the Overlook – a place-based harm reduction, peer supported housing program. Tenants at the Overlook experience social and physical harm associated with chronic alcohol use, problematic drug use, chronic health conditions and lengthy homelessness. The team provides ‘on-demand’ 24/7 harm reduction to tenants, as well as various housing supports around life skills and social inclusion to ensure participants effectively manage their tenancy

Education and Experience:

• Two (2) years’ experience working in a community setting with marginalized community members.
• Formal education in social or health fields, addictions or community work, or Human Services Diploma are an asset but not a requirement.
• Demonstrated experience working with populations impacted by substance use and mental health challenges, homelessness and/or barriers to stable housing. 

Position Responsibilities:

The following duties reflect the broad scope of responsibilities but are not necessarily all-inclusive. This position will require flexibility, time management, strong communication, and good boundaries to achieve the following responsibilities:

• Supporting participants to develop individualized harm reduction plans to ensure their overall health and well-being.
• Monitoring participants health and substance use and determining when to provide additional harm reduction supports.
• Delivering ‘on-demand’ harm reduction supplies and supports to participants in their home or in the building.
• Recognizing, analyzing, and responding to potential emergency situations, including overdoses
• Supporting participant inclusion within the Overlook community, and the community at-large
• Providing support for a wide variety of on-site and off-site meetings and activities, based on individuals’ preferences and goals.
• Supporting participants with move-in and move-out processes to ensure smooth transitions.
• Encouraging tenant participation is decision-making regarding housing and support.
• Supporting participants to enhance/develop life skills such as meal preparation, housekeeping, personal care and personal self- management.
• Collaborating with community organizations
• Communicating and collaborating with the multidisciplinary team at the Overlook (that includes registered nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, Indigenous cultural support, personal care workers, and others) to ensure high quality of care and support.
• Facilitating referrals to health and community support where warranted.
• Maintaining regular contact with and providing back-up for team members and other staff as required.
• Contributing to advocacy efforts within large systems such as income assistance, housing, and health
• Completing data collection and maintaining reports (such as daily notes, statistics, participant harm reduction plans) as well as Incident Reports for follow-up/debriefing.
• Support the Manager of Supported Housing and Assistant Manager with development of protocols, policies, procedures and/or reports.
• Coordinating maintenance related requests with the Property Management team • Providing direct assistance to participants preparing for pest control (i.e., bed bugs) or maintenance activities.
• Assisting with minor repairs and maintenance (such as changing light bulbs) as required
• Maintaining clean and orderly work environment

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