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Casual Overdose Prevention Worker

October 30, 2023| EXTERNAL/INTERNAL JOB POSTING

COMPETITION NO. 23-145
Position: Casual Overdose Prevention Worker

Location: Peace Point Overdose Prevention Site (White Rock, BC, PAH, Russell Annex Building)

Hours: On Call Mon, Tues, Thurs 5:15-11:15pm and Sat, Sun 9:45-4:45pm

We are looking for a Casual Overdose Prevention Worker to join our Sources Peace Point Overdose Prevention team! This individual must be compassionate, empathetic, and flexible.

About Sources

SOURCES is a community-based non-profit organization that has been providing support, encouragement, and hope for individuals and families in White Rock, Surrey, Delta, Langley, Prince George, and Parksville for 40 years. We serve 40,000 individuals yearly and that is all owing to our dedicated team. We welcome people of all genders, races, cultures, ethnicities and abilities. We strive to create more vibrant and resilient communities by offering support to children, youth, families, persons with disabilities, seniors, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and others who are coping with isolation, addiction, mental illness, poverty, disability and conflict. We also support our communities through leadership, education and volunteerism.

SOURCES is also committed to learning about, celebrating and incorporating Indigenous knowledge into our practices as we continue our work in truth, reconciliation and resurgence.

We value diversity, respect and collaboration as we are all striving to promote the same mission—social wellness for our community.

Sources Overdose Prevention and Peer Support Services

Reporting to the Manager of Overdose Prevention and Peer Support Services, the Overdose Prevention Worker is a permanent employee of Sources Community Resources, providing witnessing of consumption of substances, overdose response, harm reduction supports, supplies and information to people who use substances.  Overdose Prevention Services will be provided 3 weekday evenings and both weekend days within the Fraser Health Mental Health and Substance Use Services building on the campus of Peace Arch Hospital.

General Responsibilities:

  • Provide an environment of acceptance, compassion and cultural safety to people who use substances.
  • Set up and take down consumption stations at the beginning and end of each shift
  • Being present while people use substances via injection and inhalation
  • Provide overdose response, including the SAVE ME steps which may involve administering Naloxone
  • Provide safer use and harm reduction supplies and resource information when desired by program participants
  • Work with service partners and other external service providers to ensure the programs are coordinated and integrated with the larger continuums of care, including integration between the OPS and the Peer Support Network
  • Promote the interest of substance users and the program with systems of care, external service partners, and community resources.
  • Provide program utilization data
  • Casual employees must be available for all shifts (Monday, Tuesday, Friday 5:15-11:15pm and Saturday and Sunday 9:45am to 4:45pm, though there are no guaranteed shifts).

Competencies:

  • Relationship building
  • Ability to work efficiently and with minimal supervision
  • Client-centred care that empowers and motivates the client
  • Ability to work with a team
  • Ability to network and interact with other service providers and allied colleagues
  • Sensitivity in a culturally diverse environment
  • Understanding and compassionate spirit in supporting people who use substances
  • Destigmatizing language and practices
  • Trauma and Resilience Informed Practice
  • Cultural Safety and Humility awareness

Qualifications:

  • Any forms of education and experience are valued, including volunteering and lived experience of mental health challenges / substance use/ homelessness;
  • Preferred: Diploma in community social services, the social/human sciences, addictions or in law/justice.
  • Preference will be given to those who have post-secondary education and training relevant to the social service field. Alternately, pursuit of certification in social work, counseling, criminal justice or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered for this position.
  • 1 year of related experience with emphasis on mental health, substance use, homelessness and/or social services
  • Effectively utilize Office suite including Excel, Word, Outlook and central data systems
  • Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care
  • Effectively communicate professionally, verbally and written in English
  • Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with diverse range of cliental including individuals who use substances and living with significant health and behavioral challenges
  • Demonstrated understanding of the spirit of harm reduction and safer use practices
  • Overdose Prevention, Recognition and Response Training, including Naloxone Administration (Training accessed through Sources)
  • Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training (Training may be accessed through Sources)
  • Standard First Aid and CPR (Required prior to start date)
  • Criminal Records check through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Criminal Records Review Program
  • Full COVID Vaccination (Required prior to start date)
  • Must be available for 2 shifts/month

Start Date: Ongoing

Salary: $23.00/hour

Benefits:

  • Employee & Family Assistance plan

Closing Date: Ongoing

How to apply: Please email your cover letter and resume to lutendale@sourcesbc.ca. Please include where you saw this job posting in your email. Thank you.