Specialist Substance Misuse Harm Reduction Outreach Worker

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board; Caernarfon; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is seeking a Band 6 Harm Reduction Team Outreach Worker in North Wales to provide community-based support and wellbeing interventions for service users. The role involves autonomous outreach from multiple settings to engage hard-to-reach individuals and promote safer behaviours.

The post requires expertise in harm reduction, risk assessment, and needle syringe provision, with Welsh language skills welcomed.

Qualifications

• Evidence of clinical qualification or equivalent experience.
• Recent Continued Professional Development (CPD) evidence.
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction Interventions.
• Ability to work autonomously with vulnerable groups.

Responsibilities

• Deliver outreach in the community as part of the Harm Reduction team.
• Establish contact with drug and alcohol users and engage them with services.
• Perform risk and needs assessments and plan interventions.
• Provide needle syringe provision and harm reduction advice.
• Develop lead roles within the team and deliver safe, effective interventions.

Skills

Communication

Autonomy

Risk assessment

Staff supervision

Education

Clinical qualification

CPD evidence

Job description

Job Overview

An exiting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Harm Reduction Team Outreach Worker in the West Region (Anglesey and Gwynedd). The post holder will be required to participate as part of the Harm Reduction team, providing support and wellbeing interventions to service users in the community.

Main duties of the job

• To work as a member of the North Wales Harm Reduction Service, as an autonomous practitioner in the community, undertaking outreach work from a variety of different settings, eg, mobile unit, service users’ homes, massage parlours, gym, etc.
• To establish contact with drug and alcohol users and other vulnerable groups otherwise not in touch with services and engage them with the Harm Reduction Service and undertake specialist harm reduction interventions so as to prevent the spread of serious disease and improve health and wellbeing.
• Under indirect supervision, provide comprehensive assessment and treatment of individuals who misuse substances including risk assessment and comprehensive assessment of their substance misuse, social, psychological and physical issues.
• To bring enhanced skills and knowledge from your own profession, to undertake Needle Syringe Provision and offer highly specialist safer injecting advice, sexual health and contraceptive advice and information.
• Develop and enhance lead role within the team.
• To deliver specialist interventions with ‘at risk’ individuals in the community so as to promote informed choices, safer behaviours and healthier lifestyles including overdose and blood borne virus prevention strategies.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Working for our organisation

If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales, has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales. Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and ‘Proud to Lead’ competence framework.

Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the “Disability Confident Employer” scheme.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and / or knowledge

• Relevant professional clinical qualification or equivalent work experience.
• Evidence of recent Continued Professional Development.
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction Interventions

Desirable criteria

• Substance Misuse-related qualification
• Knowledge of current local and national substance misuse guidance and implications for practice.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Sufficient experience of working with substance misusers.
• Experience of recognising and responding to behaviours that challenge.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a community setting
• Experience of working with/caring for vulnerable people.
• Experience of working with a Harm Reduction model and experience of developing services
• Experience of providing needle syringe provision/or with individuals injecting substances

Apptitude And Abilities

Essential criteria

• Excellent communication / de-escalation skills.
• Ability to work autonomously
• Ability to dynamic risk assess/experience of this
• Ability to support and supervise staff

Desirable criteria

• Presentation/training skills
• IT skills
• Ability to speak Welsh

Values

Essential Criteria

• Recognises the importance of person centred care and ability to build rapport with others easily
• Professional approach and time management skills

Desirable criteria

• Ability to travel long distances across north wales/ confident in driving harm reduction vehicle
• Ability to work flexibly