Summer Student - Outreach Worker

Job Summary

This role is responsible for providing safer drug use supplies including naloxone to drug users and their contacts through fixed sites, mobile and street outreach, using a Harm Reduction approach.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Distribute safer drug use supplies including naloxone to drug users throughout Halton, using a Harm Reduction approach.
• Promote and provide education regarding harm reduction strategies and makes referrals to community supports as needed.
• Assess, plan and engage in health promotion initiatives and service delivery with identified priority populations.
• Repesent the Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction program on various committees.
• Liaise and collaborate with community partners to support a comprehensive harm reduction strategy across Halton region.
• Function as a member of a multidisciplinary team, network with other professionals, health units and organizations for knowledge transfer, translation, and best practice in relation to harm reduction, health equity and the SDoH.
• Maintain appropriate records of promotional activities, harm reduction services and other records pertaining to client care, which includes use of electronic database e.g. NEO.
• Prepare surveillance reports and relevant Ministry reports as needed. 
• Assist in maintaining inventory of program supplies and kits.
• Other duties as assigned.
   

Skills & Qualifications

Essential

• Enrolled in a college diploma or university degree in social science, social work, addictions or related field. 
• Strong knowledge and ability to work from a Harm Reduction philosophy.
• Comfort and experience engaging with individuals who use injection and inhalation drugs, and other vulnerable populations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external groups to accomplish client specific and organizational goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of social justice, equity and inclusion concepts, Social Determinants of Health (SDoH), health promotion and community development capacity building.
• Knowledge of blood-borne infections, substance use and dependency. 
• Must be able to work in unfamiliar and sometimes unpredictable situations.

Preferred

• Crisis management, first aid and CPR training.
• Experience with computer software including Microsoft Office, and electronic databases, e.g. NEO. 
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Working/ Employment Conditions

Working Conditions

• The position will be required to work evening hours on average four days a week.
• Work environment includes performing duties on the street and in the community during evening hours. 
• The incumbent must be able to perform all the necessary physical tasks associated with the position including lifting/carrying supplies.
• Travel will be required, the incumbent must provide their own transportation.

Employment Conditions

• The successful candidate will be made an offer of employment on condition that the Regional Municipality of Halton receives a current (obtained within the past six (6) months), original and acceptable Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Screening by the first day of employment.
• The incumbent will be required to provide a copy of their driver’s license by their first day of employment. 
• The incumbent must be able to provide a current complete record of immunization according to the Ontario provincial immunization schedule.