Mobile Drug Checking Outreach Worker

Position: Mobile Drug Checking Outreach Worker

• Location: Based out of the Main Office at 40 Begbie Street, New Westminster.
• Requires drug-checking/outreach in New Westminster, Burnaby, Tri-Cities, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
• Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 5pm-midnight
• Job Type: Driving position
• Wage: $27.00 / Hour

Start Date: ASAP

Mobile drug-checking, harm reduction and supportive social services to the New Westminster, Burnaby, Tri-Cities and Maple Ridge areas. Services focus on supporting people who use substances and who are at risk of overdose.

Duties:

The primary duty of the Drug Checking Outreach Worker is to drive a drug-checking van and check people’s drugs and distribute harm reduction supplies in various communities in the Lower Mainland. The Drug Checking Outreach Worker must be comfortable handling drug samples, working with people who use illicit substances, marginalized and street-involved individuals who are actively using substances, experiencing mental health issues, working in the sex trade, are homeless, and/or live in tents/camps.

• Work closely with the Program Coordinator to implement opioid overdose prevention and response strategies, especially involving mobile outreach services
• Distribute Naloxone kits, food, blankets, hygiene items and new supplies for safer injection, inhalation, sex and snorting
• Provide education and facilitate trainings on safer substance use and other harm reduction practices
• Keeping the Drug Checking Van tidy and stocked with supplies
• Safely recover used syringes from the various communities
• Build and maintain trusting relationships with clients who access services
• Collect and check drug samples using BTNX test strips and a drug-checking machine
• Maintain necessary statistics, and ensure that all required documentation is accurate
• Provide resources and referral information to services such as violence prevention organizations, shelter and housing, substance use services and health care
• Overdose response

Qualifications:

• Valid BC Class 5 driver’s license, the skill required to drive a utility van
• The capability to collect and maintain accurate data
• Clean driver’s abstract and a criminal records check
• Two-year diploma in a relevant field, such as social work, community health, mental health and addictions studies or equivalent. Extensive experience may be considered in lieu of formal training
• Experience working with marginalized people who are actively using substances, have mental health challenges, work in the sex trade, are homeless, and/or live in tents/camps
• The ability to maintain a non-judgmental and non-stigmatizing approach is required
• The ability to function effectively in difficult and/or crisis situations is required
• Strong communication skills are required
• Strong understanding of harm reduction principles, STIs, substance misuse, mental health and social determinants of health
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team
• Established ability to maintain healthy boundaries is necessary
• Knowledge of local resources is an asset
• Capacity to lift up to 15 pounds and carry boxes/equipment up and down stairs
• Readiness to respond to an overdose

Please submit your resume and cover letter Attention: Cristina Tullao, [email protected]