Outreach Worker, Health Van Operator
The Lower Mainland Purpose Society
Vancouver & Lower Mainland
New Westminster
closes in 25 days (Fri, 1 Nov) part time
• $27.00/hr
Position: Mobile Outreach Worker
Location: Based out of the Main Office at 40 Begbie Street, New Westminster.
Requires Outreach in New Westminster, Burnaby, Tri-Cities, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows
Hours: 5 pm - 12 am.
Job Type: Driving position, every Saturday and On-Call on Weekdays.
Wage: $27.00 / Hour.
Start Date: ASAP
The Purpose Society is funded by the Fraser Health Authority to provide mobile harm reduction and supportive social services to the New Westminster, Burnaby, Tri-Cities and Maple Ridge areas. Services focus on supporting people who use substances and who are at risk of overdose.
Duties:
The primary duty of the Outreach Worker is to drive a Health Van and distribute harm reduction supplies in various communities in the Lower Mainland. The Outreach Worker must be comfortable working with marginalized and street-involved individuals who are actively using substances, experiencing mental health issues, working in the sex trade, are homeless, and/or live in tents/camps.
Work closely with the Program Coordinator to implement opioid overdose prevention and response strategies, especially involving mobile outreach services
Work to support and engage our network of Peer Workers in the community
Distribute Naloxone kits, food, blankets, hygiene items and new supplies for safer injection, inhalation, sex and snorting
Provide education and facilitate trainings on safer substance use and other harm reduction practices
Keeping the Health Van tidy and stocked with supplies
Safely recover used syringes from the various communities and satellite sites
Build and maintain trusting relationships with clients who access services
Fulfil Harm Reduction Supply Requisitions from various satellite sites
Collect drug samples from registered sites for Spectrometry Drug Checking
On rare occasions, transport individuals to health appointments or substance use treatment facilities
Maintain necessary statistics, and ensure that all required documentation is accurate
Provide resources and referral information to services such as violence prevention organizations, shelter and housing, substance use services and health care
Overdose response
Qualifications:
Valid BC Class 5 driver’s license, the skill required to drive large utility van
Clean driver’s abstract and a criminal records check
Two-year diploma in a relevant field, such as social work, community health, mental health and addictions studies or equivalent. Extensive experience may be considered in lieu of formal training
Experience working with marginalized people who are actively using substances, have mental health challenges, work in the sex trade, are homeless, and/or live in tents/camps
The ability to maintain a non-judgmental and non-stigmatizing approach is required
The ability to function effectively in difficult and/or crisis situations is required
Strong communication skills are required
Strong understanding of harm reduction principles, STDs, substance misuse, mental health and social determinants of health
Must be able to work independently and as part of a team
Established ability to maintain healthy boundaries is necessary
Knowledge of local resources is an asset
Capacity to lift up to 15 pounds and carry boxes upstairs
Readiness to respond to an overdose
Please submit your resume and cover letter Attention: Kristina Selby-Brown,
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