Harm Reduction Advocate & Community Support Worker

Vancouver Island Mental Health Society; Nanaimo; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Casual dress

Company Pension

Dental Care

Employee assistance program

Extended health care

On-site parking

Job summary

Vancouver Island Mental Health Society seeks a Harm Reduction Worker to support clients with mental health and substance use challenges in a community setting. The role focuses on providing day-to-day physical, emotional, and social supports, information, and referrals in line with harm reduction principles.

The worker will operate at a fixed overdose prevention site, distribute harm reduction materials, and collaborate with other health care providers to deliver integrated services for site

Qualifications

• Diploma in Community Social Service or related program.
• Class V BC Driver’s License required.
• CPR and First Aid certificates required.
• Comfortable observing people injecting drugs.
• One year of related experience or equivalent education/training.
• Other reasonable qualifications for the role.

Responsibilities

• Engage with people who use illicit substances using a harm reduction approach.
• Build rapport and provide support for diverse clients with health challenges.
• Respond to changes in behavior using non-violent communication and de-escalation.
• Perform security duties like patrolling and managing client flow.
• Sanitize areas and manage housekeeping duties as needed.
• Provide intake information, referrals, and program information to clients and agencies.

Skills

Harm reduction principles

Interpersonal skills

Conflict de-escalation

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Observing changes in clients

Education

Diploma in Community Social Service

Class V BC Driver’s License

CPR and First Aid certificates

Job description

Vancouver Island Mental Health Society seeks a Harm Reduction Worker to support clients with mental health and substance use challenges in a community setting. The role focuses on providing day-to-day physical, emotional, and social supports, information, and referrals in line with harm reduction principles.

The worker will operate at a fixed overdose prevention site, distribute harm reduction materials, and collaborate with other health care providers to deliver integrated services for site