Harm Reduction Street Outreach Specialist

Harm Reduction Street Outreach Specialist

(part time, grant funded, 20 hours weekly)

Prevention Team

The Damien Center empowers communities and persons affected by HIV/AIDS in the state of Indiana by being a leading resource, provider, and advocate for comprehensive HIV/AIDS care, prevention, education, and related services. Damien Center, Damien Cares and Damien Pharmacy provide client-centered social services focused on care coordination, clinical and pharmacy services, mental health, housing, and nutrition to the Indianapolis community.

Position Summary:

The Harm Reduction Street Outreach Specialist provides intensive, one-on-one services for persons in active substance use. This position is outreach based and most of the time will be spent in the community. The Harm Reduction Street Outreach Specialist may assist with the safe syringe exchange, providing supplies, conduct health and other assessments of need, and assist with referrals as needed. Position will require outreach to houseless and vulnerable populations and will include testing for HIV and Hepatitis C. The Specialist will also coordinate with internal case managers and clients as necessary to assist in reducing barriers and achieving positive life goals and outcomes as agreed upon with client.

This position is grant funded. The position is part-time (20 hours a week) and is scheduled to last until December 31st, 2024. Continued funding may be available but is not guaranteed.

Protecting our team members, clients, volunteers, and community partners is an integral part of how we ensure our continued work with the clients we serve. As a condition of employment, Damien Center requires all new hires to be vaccinated against Covid 19 in compliance with the CDC vaccination guidelines including all boosters. All current Damien Center team members are fully vaccinated against Covid 19 and up to date with all boosters effective November 30, 2022.

Also, as a condition of employment, Damien Center requires all team members to be vaccinated against influenza and receive a tuberculosis skin test (or chest x-ray) annually, barring an approved exemption. Damien Center offers onsite vaccinations for all these vaccines on a regular basis including an optional Hepatitis B vaccination.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills.

• Perform street or mobile unit outreach as a part of the Harm Reduction Street Outreach Team.
• Conduct outreach activities on evenings and weekends.
• Document all outreach and results.
• Must understand and actively supply new needles and other supplies including naloxone to people who use drugs.
• Conduct targeted outreach, in-person visits and/or phone calls as appropriate to facilitate client needs and services.
• Staff Harm Reduction room and Syringe Service Program sites on occasion (Damien and mobile sites).
• Assess, identify, and develop a plan to address potential and real barriers to client needs and goals.
• Directly advocate for clients’ welfare.
• Work with clients recently released from incarceration.
• Provide peer recovery coaching and Harm Reduction strategies as appropriate to client needs.
• Report all non-syringe Harm Reduction supplies given to participants in appropriate databases.
• Maintain knowledge of HIV care, HCV treatment, STIs, risk reduction, mental health issues, case management and other related topics through self-study and training participation.
• Establish a working relationship with appropriate community resources in the service area such as those providing partner services for the target populations.
• Performs special assignments and other work, on an as-needed basis.

Education and/or Experience

One or more years of professional experience in similar work is preferred. A background in Peer Recovery or Community Health work is preferred. Experience may be substituted for professional experience in some cases.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Possess superior organizational and administrative skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Ability to work independently and achieve high standards of productivity, achieving deadlines and with superior product results. Strong calendaring, organizational, and document management skills required. Proactive approach to solving problems and communicating to leadership. Knowledge of office management systems, procedures, and office equipment required. Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work.

Qualifications

Required

• Current Driver’s License (vehicle not required)

Preferred

• Lived or professional experience with HIV, Hepatitis C, substance use, sex work, justice system, or houselessness

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual in this role must display the highest level of integrity and confidentiality. The individual should have effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization, and flexibility and adaptability. The individual will also maintain knowledge of trends in their area of responsibility.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are general representations of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch and handle objects. The employee frequently stands or walks.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Standing and walking for periods of time during the syringe exchange or loading the mobile unit.
• Walking for periods of time on pavement, grass, or gravel during outreach activities.
• Driving the mobile unit (training provided)

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office setting, with sustained use of a computer.
• Outreach events may include work in the mobile unit or outdoors.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
• Maintains personal/professional competency and works to create an environment of courtesy, respect, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude in all interactions both internal and external to the organization.

• FLSA Status: Non-exempt, Hourly, Part-Time
• Leader: Harm Reduction Program Manager
• Hourly Rate: $22.50

Damien Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please apply at www.damien.org/job-opportunities

This position description does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of any terms or conditions of employment. Damien Center employees are employed on an at-will basis. Nothing in this position description restricts Damien Center’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.