| POSITION DESCRIPTION | Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) is a diverse, dynamic, multiservice Indigenous health and wellness agency. We strive to provide quality, wholistic health services by sharing and promoting traditional and western health practices to enable people to live in a more balanced state of well-being. SOAHAC provides services to Indigenous people including those who live on and off reserve, status, non-status, Inuit, and Metis within the Southwest, Waterloo Wellington and Erie St Clair regions. SOAHAC has a mandate of ensuring that health services are accessible, of high quality, and are culturally appropriate. It is SOAHAC’s objective to build health care capacity within Indigenous communities. Currently, we are seeking the services of a Harm Reduction Care Coordinator to join our interdisciplinary staff team to work at our Chippewa Site.
Reporting to the Integrated Care Manager in Chippewa, The Harm Reduction Care Coordinator (HRCC) provides culturally appropriate, safe, and professional harm reduction support to the needs of Indigenous people who use substances and families accessing SOAHAC Interdisciplinary Health Care Services. Services will include care planning, case management, advocacy, navigation, counselling, and crisis support supportive of Indigenous worldviews and beliefs and harm reduction principles. This comprises a range of therapeutic activities with a focus on Indigenous individuals and families to improve wellness.
Requirements
- Undergraduate degree or diploma in health-related field
- At least 1 year of relevant experience
- Familiarity/experience in working with high risk, marginalized populations such as people who use substances, people who work in the sex-trade industry, people who are homeless or street involved, youth, people living in poverty, and people who are living with mental health challenges
- Thorough knowledge of Indigenous harm reduction philosophy and principles as well as some substance use training
- Commitment to both traditional and western health and wellness methods
- Competency in crisis intervention/de-escalation skills, strategies and application
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
- Experience with individual and systemic advocacy
- Ability to work in a variety of social and physical settings
- Travel within London Middlesex and area, as well as, SOAHAC sites as required
- Valid Ontario Driver’s “G” license; clean driver’s abstract, as well as proof of personal auto insurance (must be insured a minimum of 3 years and in good standing)
- Willingness to participate in Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, teachings and ceremonies
- Clean and current police check as a condition of employment
- Up to date immunizations and records
Responsibilities
- Function as a resource to individuals, groups, and communities by responding to the needs of individuals who use substances by identifying needs and gaps in care
- Enhance access to services though referrals and systems navigation and advocate on issues regarding the needs individuals who use substances
- Hold and develop knowledge of substance use and harm reduction principles and application within Indigenous communities
- Develop and nurture relationships with community organizations and leaders to support and enhance SOAHAC’s community-based suboxone program, seeking partnerships where appropriate
- Provide health and wellness promotion and prevention for clients, their families, and communities that are supportive and respectful of diverse Indigenous worldviews and beliefs
- Consult with medical staff, community workers, and community leaders to identify trends, needs, and priority health issues to promote interest, participation, and support for the program
- Collaborate with the client, health care team members including physicians and nurses, mental health professionals and community workers within the interdisciplinary team model of care
- Utilize evidence-informed practices for Indigenous people and families, such as trauma-informed care and harm reduction approaches to support mitigating challenges and diversion
- Develop, implement, and monitor strategies and strength-based programs which include cultural activities that reflect Indigenous people to meet those needs
- Provide intake appointments with clients as required
- Participate in external training workshops, seminars and teaching circles as required
- Participate in staff meetings, seminars, circles and training workshops
- Maintain confidential information and statistics related to clients and services
- Provide reports as required
- Develop and implement programming, goals, objectives and evaluation of all program activities
- Develop of client support strategies i.e. MOUs, wellness plans
- Liaise with other FNIM organizations and communities who wish to access supp
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