Health Navigator, Per Diem

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Access-DUHP Per-Diem will deliver harm reduction services in a drop in setting. This includes providing prevention and screening services to PWIDs. The Access-DUHP Per-Diem will assist full-time staff with needle exchange, overdose prevention training, emergency response and overdose response, conflict de-escalation, motivational interviewing, crisis counseling, data collection and individual and group-level interventions aimed to reduce HIV/HCV/STI transmission and increase access to care and treatment.

Representative Duties:

1. Provide PWIDs with accessible and low threshold services that operate within the harm reduction framework. This includes assisting PWIDs with accessing support services such as primary care, substance use and mental health treatment, homeless shelters, housing and legal advocacy.
2. Support harm reduction counseling and risk reduction plans of PWIDs.
3. Assist full-time staff with written and verbal harm reduction information on safer injection strategies, vein and abscess care, overdose prevention, sexual health and HIV/HCV/STI transmission to program participants across sites.
4. Collect used syringes from PWIDs. Distribute new syringes and harm reduction materials according to AAC and MDPH protocols. This includes safely handling, storing and disposing of syringes and completion of all required paperwork and electronic data collection.
5. Work with team to organize daily operations and programs in the drop-in center, including opening and closing procedures to help ensure facilities are clean, safe and welcoming.
6. Prepare and replenish harm reduction kits, educational resources, and other necessary supplies.
7. Assist staff during medical emergencies and administer Naloxone during overdose events or other emergencies, as needed.
8. Escort members to the building's bathroom, ensuring that all precautions and safety checks are in place.
9. Conduct periodic sweeps of the outside perimeter to ensure that there are no discarded materials and people loitering outside of the drop-in.
10. Attend community meetings as necessary
11. Complete appropriate and accurate documentation, including electronic data collection and forms as required.
12. Participate in one-on-one supervision with supervisor, monthly clinical supervision, and team meetings, as needed.
13. Engage with PWIDs with unconditional positive regard while on site.

Meet agency participatory expectations:

• Adhere to all agency and departmental policies and procedures
• Participate in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested
• Adhere to the highest principles of client confidentiality
• Adhere to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; enforce agency's policies and clinical procedures, including safety and crisis procedures.
• Attend all required meetings, in-services and professional trainings
• Maintains professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintains and provides agency with records of continuing education activities
• Perform related duties and projects as required

• Possesses significant knowledge of health-related social issues faced by injection drug users.
• Commitment to harm reduction, knowledge of harm reduction strategies.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in conflict resolution, crisis de-escalation, and milieu management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and experience with electronic data collection.
• Self-directed, motivated and flexible with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability and willingness to pick up mobile outreach shifts on an as needed basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience conducting street level outreach with at-risk populations

Physical Requirements:

Ability to meet the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodations:

• Sit at a computer station for extended periods of time
• Ability to keyboard for extended periods of time
• Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 15lbs.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials, including bloodborne pathogens, and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment

We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.

LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.