Peer Support Worker (Harm Reduction)
Job Summary:
The Peer Support Worker utilizes a harm reduction framework to engage people who use drugs and equip them with life-saving tools and information to create positive change in their lives. The Harm Reduction Navigator incorporates culturally sensitive strategies, including prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion, to empower people who use drugs. The Harm Reduction Navigator engages directly with people who use drugs to prevent overdose and infectious disease transmission, improve physical, mental, and social well-being, and offer low-barrier options for accessing healthcare services, including substance use and mental health treatment. In addition, the Harm Reduction Navigator implements innovative strategies to target Black MSM and transgender women and men who inject hormones. Specifically, the Peer Support Worker, Harm Reduction will recruit program participants to engage in syringe services programming and harm reduction events at Us Helping Us People Into Living. Inc. and partner with Community Health Workers to conduct community-based outreach, mobilization, and other advocacy efforts.
Reporting to the Harm Reduction Coordinator, the Peer Support Worker, Harm Reduction will have the following responsibilities:
· Initiates community engagement and surveillance activities based on assignments and community trends.
· Recruits community members who engage in intravenous drug use and perform program engagement.
· Collaborates with Community Health Team members to identify program clients across community events and organizational programming.
· Performs safe syringe exchanges in community and office settings.
· Facilitates harm reduction education and promotes safe practices.
· Facilitates overdose prevention awareness to include Narcan, Fentanyl, and Xylazine education.
· Facilitates coordinating support services such as medical care, mental health, substance use, medication assistance treatment, and other social services.
· Adheres to harm reduction, infection control, and organizational policies and procedures.
· Enters programmatic and client level data into the electronic health record and other systems.
· Attends community events and coordinates events in collaboration with the Community Health Team.
· Supports agency-wide initiatives and programs.
· Other duties as assigned.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Willingness to participate in professional development training to expand interpersonal skills, problem-solving and decision-making, verbal and written communication skills, and organizational and stress management skills.
- Ability to foster a learning and cooperative work environment. Ability or willingness to work independently and take initiative in providing work responsibilities.
- Commitment: Personal advancement and knowledge expansion through personalized training.
- Knowledge: Passion to learn and improve the health of LGBTQ+ youth and adults of color, people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases, and behavioral health disorders. Intermediate knowledge of local communities with the greatest need. Intermediate computer skills are required, including the use of Microsoft Office.
- Skills: Demonstrated ability to conduct sensitive, empathetic interviews and conversations that respect the dignity and diversity of our clients. Ability to engage clients in a supportive and empowering way. Ability to help manage conflict. Ability to maintain client records and information in an accurate, timely, and confidential manner. Ability to facilitate syringe exchange in a supportive and non-judgmental way.
- Personal qualities: Sound judgment, ability to work independently (with limited supervision) but cohesively with medical and social service providers, and ability to work effectively in a busy and ever-changing environment.
Required Education, Experience and Qualifications:
- A high school diploma or GED is preferred. Candidates must complete GED certification during the 12-month training period.
- Have a valid driver's license with no DUI or major moving violation in the past 5 years. Regular travel within the greater Washington, DC area is required for this position.
- Interest and/or experience working with racial minorities and LGBTQ+ youth and adults.
- Bilingual English/Spanish and/or other languages strongly preferred.
- Must be in active recovery
Specifications:
- This is a full-time position (working a minimum of 40 hours per week) and includes regular evening and weekend commitments.
- The annual salary is $45,000 to $55,000 plus a generous benefits package, including 80/20 employer/employee-paid health insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, short-term disability and federally observed holidays.
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. with a valid work permit required.
- Must submit to a background investigation and drug test.
- Us Helping Us has a smoke-free environment and non-smokers are preferred. Excellent personal hygiene is a must.
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Us Helping Us is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, language, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran with a disability.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Experience:
- Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
