Needle Exchange Worker Contract

Job Description

<h3>Job Description</h3><p>Job Description<p>Salary: $23.85 per hour<br /><p>Job Title Harm Reduction Worker (Needle Exchange)</p><p>Department Harm Reduction Services, Community and Justice</p><p>Bargaining Unit CUPE 2938.13</p><p>Salary Grade Class 4B</p><p>Posting Date November 4, 2025</p><p>Closing Date November 23, 2025 or until position is filled</p><p>Benefits: Yes, Extended Health, LTD, Dental, Life, Accident</p><p>Vacancy: 1.0 FTE</p><p></p><p>Start Date As Soon As Possible</p><p>End Date Twelve (12) Month Contract</p><p><br /></p><p>Application Link: <span >https://jhsdurham.bamboohr.com/careers/422</span></p><p></p><p>POSITION SUMMARY</p><p>The Project X-Change Program is committed to engaging people who use substances in a non-judgmental, culturally safe, and non-coercive manner. It prioritizes human rights, dignity, choice, and self-determination while addressing specific risks, including HCV, HIV, overdose, and substance-related harms. This program aims to provide essential support and resources for individuals who use substances while respecting their autonomy and promoting safer practices.</p><p>The role within the Project X-Change Program encompasses a wide range of responsibilities aimed at supporting at-risk individuals and promoting harm reduction to support safer choices regarding substance use and health.</p><p><br /></p><p>KEY RESPONSIBILITIES</p><p>Client Support</p><ul><li>Actively seek out, engage and, develop rapport with people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, sex workers, and other marginalized or at-risk groups utilizing a trauma-informed approach.</li><li>Distribute safe use supplies and practical supports to service users in office, community and within other organizations as appropriate.</li><li>Provide information, education, and encourage practices that promote positive health outcomes and are grounded in best practice guidelines and research.</li><li>Provide and encourage<br />safe disposal of paraphernalia.</li><li>Provide emotional support and/or utilize de-escalation skills with clients experiencing crisis or distress.</li><li>Actively listen and assess readiness for change and support goals appropriately.</li><li>Refer and connect clients to health and other community services as necessary.</li><li>Respond to overdoses/drug poisoning when they occur; administering naloxone and calling EMS as needed.</li><li>Distribute Naloxone and provide training</li><li>Coordinates with internal staff to ensure and execute community clean up response.</li></ul><p>Marketing and Programming</p><ul><li>Support the development and implementation of promotional materials and strategies to effectively reach and engage the target population.</li><li>Provide education to the community on the principles of harm reduction in order to reduce stigma and eliminate barriers to accessing essential supports for service users.</li><li>Collaborate with other community services to improve access to harm reduction services for those at-risk.</li><li>Facilitate Naloxone training and distribution to address overdose risks and provide prevention education.</li><li>Support the creation of program marketing and information material, update the resource library and bulletin board to enhance accessibility to information and resources.</li><li>Organize and participate in community events</li><li>Organize and facilitate informational workshops to community and service users.</li></ul><p>Program Administration</p><ul><li>Recruit, interview, train, and supervise placement students to support program activities.</li><li>Collect, record and report accurate statistical data related to the program.</li><li>Complete incident reports as required.</li><li>Contributes information and ideas to ongoing program development and changing needs of service users and community.</li><li>Attend and contribute to program, agency and community meetings as appropriate.</li><li>Attend training and workshops as planned or directed by the funder or the Harm Reduction Program Coordinator.</li><li>Conduct periodic check-ins with satellite sites to share information, assess support needs, and ensure the implementation of best practices.</li><li>Disseminate information about agency programs and services to staff and clients.</li><li>Maintain supplies, inventory stock as needed.</li><li>Order OHRDP supplies as needed.</li><li>Implement client surveys as required.</li><li>Maintain confidentiality and adherence to program and agency policies and procedures.</li><li>Maintain clean, organized exchange sites.</li></ul><p></p><p>QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE</p><p>Education & Certifications:</p><ul><li>Minimum 2 year college diploma in Addictions & Mental Health, Social Services or related field</li><li>MUST have previous personal lived experience related to substance use, homelessness, or addiction. Lived experience" refers to firsthand, personal experiencenot secondhand experience through others such as a friend or relative.</li><li>A valid G driver&#39;s license.</li><li>Access to a personal vehicle with a minimum of $2,000,000 liability insurance.</li><li>Must have Hepatitis B vaccinations.</li></ul><p>Experience:</p><ul><li>Previous experience utilizing a harm reduction model in addictions counselling, social service work, and/or healthcare.</li><li>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: <br />Strong ability to actively listen and support a diverse clientele using anti-stigma language and a trauma-informed approach.</li><li>Solid knowledge of substances, typical and atypical routes of administration, and risks.</li><li>Ability to understand and adhere to harm reduction philosophy, techniques, and strategies including safer sex practices, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, STIs and testing, and treatment.</li><li>Good knowledge of community and healthcare services in the Durham Region.</li><li>Strong ability to apply motivational interviewing, crisis intervention techniques and de-escalation strategies.</li><li>Ability to write professional correspondence, memos, letters, etc.</li><li>Basic mathematical skills.</li><li>Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.</li><li>Adaptability to meet changing work needs and demands.</li><li>Proficiency in maintaining filing systems, basic databases, and records.</li><li>Superior telephone manners and strong interpersonal skills.</li><li>Ability to work day, evening and occasional weekend shifts.</li><li>Competence in using the Internet, Outlook, and Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint and database programs.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>WORKING CONDITIONS</p><ul><li>May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc.</li><li>May work outside in all weather (modified work for severe weather) and various terrain (as is reasonable)</li><li>Interacts with the public, clients, staff, visitors, and staff from other organizations.</li><li>Ongoing physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting.</li><li>Able to lift items as heavy as 35 lbs.</li><li>Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.</li><li>Flexible hours as required.</li></ul><p></p></p></p>