Positive Wellness Program Support Worker- Casual Call

AVI Health and Community Services; Victoria; On-site; CAD 38,000 - 54,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Unionized environment

In lieu of vacation 5%

In lieu of stats 5%

Job summary

AVI Health and Community Services in Victoria, BC, is seeking a Part-time Positive Wellness Program Support Worker to deliver direct services to people living with HIV/Hepatitis C.

Under supervision, you will use a harm-reduction model, assist with nutrition programs, and support the PWP Care Lead to provide comprehensive care in the community and at the 713 Johnsons location.

Qualifications

• University degree in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Support Worker, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and work/lived/living experience
• Minimum of two years’ relevant work experience
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License to drive the agency van an asset
• Able to respectfully engage Indigenous communities with a trauma-informed approach
• Experience with harm reduction/health promotion practices and HIV/Hepatitis C
• Knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches
• Experience managing hostile interactions using non-violent communication

Responsibilities

• Actively engages with individuals living with or at risk for HIV/Hepatitis C using a trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach
• Provide crisis response, brief assessment, and short-term counselling for basic needs and referrals
• Advocate for clients with Ministries and agencies to secure information and supports
• Visit clients at home or accompany them to appointments in the community
• Distribute harm reduction supplies and provide safer use/sex education
• Deliver meals to clients and assist in meal preparation with our cook
• Collaborate with partner agencies to ensure continuum of services
• Maintain confidential client files (paper and electronic)
• Support reception with phones and harm reduction supply distribution
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Trauma-informed care

HIV/HCV knowledge

Communication skills

Advocacy

Indigenous engagement

Team collaboration

Independent work

Problem solving

Empathy

Education

University degree in health or social services

Equivalent education/work experience

Tools

Driver's license

Job description

AVI Health & Community Services (AVI)

increases health equity by providing high responsive, harm reduction -based HIV, hepatitis C, substance use, sexual health, mental health, and other community health services, and is informed by the voices of people with living experience. We envision a community where people can experience optimal health and wellness, and be free from stigma, marginalization, and criminalization. For more information see www.avi.org

Our work takes place in Kwakwaka'wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Coast Salish territorial regions on what is colonially known as Vancouver Island. The rich and beautiful lands and waters of this Island have been home to over 50 First Nations for time immemorial; we respectfully acknowledge their past, present, and future sovereignty.

POSITIVE WELLNESS PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The Positive Wellness Program(PWP) gives care to people living with HIV and HCV in a wide variety of setting including 713 Johnson and in the community.

The Positive Wellness Program Victoria is located on the territories of the Ləkʷəŋən peoples (Esquimalt and Songhees nations).

JOB SUMMARY:

The Positive Wellness Program Support Worker is responsible for the provision and delivery of direct services to persons living with HIV and/or HCV. Under the supervision of the program manager staff will use a harm reduction model to give care to a wide variety of service users. The PWP Support Worker will help the nutrition program provide meals to PWP clients at 713 Johnsons and in the community. The PWP Support Worker will assist the PWP Care Lead in providing care and support for PWP individuals.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 1. Actively engages with individuals who are living with, or at risk for, HIV/Hepatitis C, using a collaborative, trauma informed, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction


• 2. Use brief assessment, crisis response, and short-term counselling skills to help meet immediate, basic needs (eg. applications and follow-up regarding housing, income, identification, etc) and make appropriate referrals to other health and support services


• 3. Advocate on behalf of clients with various Ministries and agencies to ensure clients receive maximum information and support


• 4. Visit clients at their homes and attends appointments with service users in the community.


• 5. Distribute harm reduction supplies and provides education and support regarding safer substance use and safer sex


• 6. Conduct individual or group education sessions, and compiles educational materials to meet clients’ needs, as required


• 7. Deliver meals on foot or in a vehicle to clients


• 8. Work with our cook to help prepare, serve and bag meals for clients


• 9. Work in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services


• 10. Maintain both paper and electronic confidential client files


• 11. Support reception staff with answering phones and the distribution of harm reduction supplies.


• 12. Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Support Worker, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and work/lived/living experience


• Minimum of two years’ relevant work experience


• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License to drive the agency van an asset.


• Able to respectfully engage and support Indigenous relationships, with a trauma informed and decolonial lens


• 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.)


• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction/health promotion practices, safer using practices, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, poverty issues, mental health concerns and substance use


• Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care


• Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and using trauma informed practice


• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, and demonstrated commitment to working within a collaborative team approach


• Ability to receive feedback from supervisors and integrate into goal setting and future practice


• Willingness to help respond to overdoses. Training is provided.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Commitment to honor local indigenous communities and a dedication to lessening the ongoing impacts of colonial violence.


• Committed to social justice, equity, anti-racism and decolonization.


• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position


• Able and willing to work outside during all weather conditions


• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others


• Ability to operate related equipment


• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients


• Ability to analyze and resolve problems


• Advocacy skills


• Ability to work with a diverse clientele facing significant structural vulnerability


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills


• Understanding of the psycho-social issues affecting people living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C

POSITION DETAILS

Pay: $33.49/hour to start with stepped increases based on your seniority with AVI. (Pay for this role is based on the BCGEU paygrid 34)

Hours and Schedule: Casual shifts falling between Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Position: Part time

Start and end date: As soon as possible and is ongoing, but subject to funding after March 31, 2030.

Location: AVI Victoria office and in community.

Number of Positions Available: 1- 2

Union: AVI is a union environment under the Collective Agreement: HEABC & Health Services & Support Community Subsector Association 2025-2028 and this role is a BCGEU union position.

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 paid an extra 5% in lieu of vacation 5% in lieu of stats, meaning your hourly rate is actually 10% higher than listed.

Hours of Work, Days Off and Work Area may be subject to change.

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. Accommodation is 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.