Positive Wellness Program (PWP) Support Worker

AVI Health and Community Services; Nanaimo; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

AVI Health and Community Services seeks a Positive Wellness Support Worker responsible for providing case management and direct services to individuals affected by HIV and HCV. The successful candidate will advocate for client needs and develop programming in collaboration with community partners, contributing to overall public health and harm reduction initiatives.

Benefits

Extended health coverage

Pension contributions

Paid vacation and sick leave

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated skills in harm reduction and health promotion practices.
• Experience with diverse clientele including individuals using substances.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct services to persons at risk for or living with HIV and HCV.
• Engages with individuals using a person-centered approach.
• Advocates for clients through various ministries and agencies.

Skills

Advocacy

Crisis Response

Active Listening

Problem Solving

Education

University degree in health or social services

Job description

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community-based organization providing HIV hepatitis C and substance use harm reduction services out of four locations across Vancouver Island. 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. AVI provides comprehensive accessible and effective education prevention care treatment and support services to residents of Vancouver Island with offices in Victoria Nanaimo the Comox Valley and Campbell River. For more info see :

AVI-Nanaimo Community Health Centre Located on the unceded traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation we provide Primary Care HIV Substance Use STBBI PrEP PEP and HCV medical services as well as outreach supports and social programming for our clients. We also provide education services for the communities we support and for health and social services students and professionals that work with the same communities.

Join our supportive dedicated and client-centered 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.

JOB SUMMARY :

The Positive Wellness Support Worker is responsible for client specific case management and the provision and delivery of direct services to persons at risk for or living with HIV and / or HCV. The Positive Wellness Support Worker will report to the AVI Clinic Manager.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Actively engages with individuals who are living with or at risk for HIV and / or HCV using a collaborative person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction.
• Uses brief assessment active listening and crisis response skills to help meet immediate basic needs and make appropriate referrals to other health and support services.
• Advocates on behalf of clients with various Ministries and agencies to ensure clients receive maximum information and support.
• Provides advocacy to clients by working with them on issues such as housing medical legal and other support agencies.
• Provides intake and assessment brief counseling crisis counseling harm reduction counseling advocacy and referral.
• Works closely with AVI Clinic Education and Outreach teams to develop programming and services to meet client needs.
• Conducts individual or group information sessions and develops educational materials to meet clients needs as required.
• Engages and participates in the community (including First Nations) to educate support and reach folks at risk and in need of services.
• Provides support for clients getting to and from medical appointments.
• Provides information to other service providers such as government and community-based agencies medical and educational settings on HIV / AIDS and its effect on the provision of services.
• Works in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services.
• Maintains both paper and electronic confidential client files.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS :

• University degree in health or social services (Social Work Psychology etc.) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two years relevant work experience
• Demonstrated skills experience and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction / health promotion practices safer using practices HIV HCV sex positivity poverty issues mental health concerns and substance use.
• Valid Class 5 BC Drivers License reliable vehicle and the ability to transport passengers.
• 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.
• Direct service delivery and advocacy experience with community-based and provincial support services and systems (financial aid housing healthcare justice system etc.).
• 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.
• Demonstrated knowledge of social justice health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care.
• Experience managing challenging behavior utilizing nonviolent communication and de-escalation techniques.
• Ability to problem solve with creativity flexibility assertiveness and a cool head in dealing with complex issues.
• Excellent written verbal communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrated commitment to working within a collaborative team approach.
• Demonstrated time management and personal organization skills to effectively support a high volume of client work.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• Ability to operate related tools and equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients physical and mental health.
• Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations.

POSITION DETAILS :

• Pay : $31.56 / hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU pay grid 34)
• Hours and Schedule : 30 hours / week Monday through Thursday 9 : 00 am to 5 : 00 pm
• Start Date : This position starts ASAP and is an ongoing position contingent on funding.
• Location : AVI Nanaimo Office and work in the community a needed
• Union : AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement : HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2022-2025 and this role is a BCGEU union position.
• Position Type : Part Time Regular
• Benefits : This position will be eligible for extended health life and AD&D coverage after 488 hours with AVI. AVI pays for the entire cost of the plan on behalf of its staff.
• Pension : If you are already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) you can continue with them at AVI immediately. At this time AVI contributes an additional 9.31% towards your pension account. If you are not already a member of the Municipal Pension Plan part time staff may become eligible after 2 years with AVI.
• Other Perks : This position gets 6.4% vacation (equivalent to 3 weeks) receives Stat In Lieu payments of 5% on each paycheque and has a Sick Bank of 6.9%. Sick and Vacation are both accessible after your first 488 hours at AVI.
• Hours of Work Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.

TO APPLY :

Please apply through the job post you are looking at online by hitting APPLY by 1 : 00 pm on June 21 2025

AVI is committed to equity and diversity and we strongly encourage applications from but not limited to folks who identify as Indigenous Persons persons of colour racialized persons living with a disability persons who use / d drugs persons with experience of sex work persons who live with HIV and / or hepatitis C and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.

It is beneficial to identify in the cover letter if you are Indigenous and / or have lived / living expertise relevant to the position.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

As AVI is a union environment internal staff will be prioritized in the hiring process.

We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Key Skills

Nursing Home Experience,Developmental Disabilities Experience,Direct Support,Computer Operation,Caregiving,Case Management,Special Needs,Training & Development,Child Protective Services,Experience with Children,Word Processing,Addiction Counseling

Employment Type : Part-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

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