Company:
AVI Health & Community Services
Details:
Job Summary:
The Positive Wellness Support Worker is responsible for the provision and delivery of direct services to persons living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Actively engages with individuals who are living with, or at risk for, HIV/hepatitis C, using a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction
2. Uses brief assessment, active listening and crisis response skills to help meet immediate, basic needs and make appropriate referrals to other health and support services
3. Advocates on behalf of clients with various Ministries and agencies to ensure clients receive maximum information and support
4. Provides advocacy to clients by working with them on issues such as housing, medical, legal and other support agencies
5. Distributes harm reduction supplies and provides education and support regarding safer substance use and safer sex
6. Conducts individual or group education sessions, and compiles educational materials to meet clients’ needs, as required
7. Provides onsite supervision, support and continues to develop the client drop-in program
8. Participates in the regional STOP HIV Collaborative
9. Works in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services
10. Maintains both paper and electronic confidential client files
11. Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications & Experience:
Qualifications:
Education, Training, and Experience:
University degree in health or social services (Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Support Worker, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience
Support Workers will have a minimum of two years’ relevant work experience and will demonstrate the following minimum requirements:
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License
• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of harm reduction principles and practices
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport, provide support and advocate for a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges
• Direct service delivery and advocacy experience with community-based and provincial support services and systems (financial aid, housing, healthcare, justice system, etc.)
• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge in the areas of safer drug use, safer sex, sex work, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, mental health, etc.
• Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care
• Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and diffusing techniques
• Ability to problem solve with creativity, flexibility, assertiveness and a cool head in dealing with complex issues
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, and demonstrated commitment to working within a collaborative team approach
• Demonstrated time management and personal organization skills to effectively support a high volume of client work
