Employment Opportunity:

Social Worker/Social Service Worker – Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) (1.1 fte – 77 hours biweekly) 1-year contract – probability of extension

 The Social Worker/Social Service Worker provides in-the-moment, client-centred support that helps the Réseau ACCESS Network’s Consumption and Treatment Services program clients that are living with/impacted by/or at risk of HIV/HCV, identify and resolve issues in their daily lives.          

The position is responsible for the following:

• Support and monitor clients injecting pre-obtained drugs and/or obtaining harm reduction materials and information. Respond to adverse reactions and overdose events. Collect and maintain required documentation.
• Build rapport with and educate clients about harm reduction and health promotion, including safe injection and overdose prevention.
• Work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team to identify and resolve issues and provide integrated support to clients. Provide comprehensive case management support through referrals for internal and external health and social services, (ex. Ontario Works, ODSP, Trillium, housing, tribunal, etc)
• Assess, monitor, and re-assess clients’ progress on an ongoing basis, and adjusts goals accordingly to ensure client needs are realised.
• Ensure culturally relevant services for those accessing services

The successful candidates:

1. Required – Social Worker/Social Service Worker in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
2. Valid proof of double vaccination against COVID-19 using a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine (or a single dose vaccine if approved by Health Canada).
3. Clear vulnerable sector police record check (conducted in house).
4. First Aid/CPR-BLS, NVCI, Trauma Informed Care, and Naloxone training.
5. Uses a trauma informed, culturally safe service delivery for all those accessing services.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous communities and organizations as well as an understanding of the effects of intergenerational trauma on Indigenous persons
   1. Knowledge of and ability to lead in Indigenous cultural ceremonies, talking circles, crafts, history sharing would be considered a strong asset.
7. Superior communication skills, including written and verbal presentation skills, diplomatic and effective liaison, and interpersonal skills
8. Knowledge and skills related to working with individuals who may be vulnerable and marginalized, challenges related to trauma, mental health, addictions, and homelessness
9. Work from a model of anti-racism/anti oppression, sex positivity, and principles of harm reduction
10. Work from a harm-reduction approach.

 Bilingual (French/English) candidates or those of Indigenous descent will be given priority consideration for this position if found qualified. 

The full job description is located on the Réseau ACCESS Network Website at www.reseauaccessnetwork.com. Interested applicants may submit a resume with a cover letter by the closing date of Sunday, January 2, 2022, to the Manager of Consumption and Treatment Services @ [email protected] .  Please include “job posting” in subject box. We regret that only those candidates selected for an interview may be contacted.

SOCIAL WORKER / SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER

REPORT AND ACCOUNTABLE TO:      Manager of Consumption and Treatment Services

POSITION PURPOSE:

Reporting to the Manager of Consumption and Treatment Services, the Harm Reduction, Social Worker/Social Service Worker provides in-the-moment, client-centered support that helps Réseau ACCESS Network’s Consumption and Treatment Services program clients living with, impacted by, or at risk of HIV/HCV, identify and resolve problems in their everyday lives.

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Client Services

1. Support and monitor clients injecting pre-obtained drugs and/or obtaining harm reduction materials and information.  Respond to adverse reactions and overdose events.  Collect client information and maintain required documentation.
2. Education clients about harm reduction and health promotion, including safe injection and overdose prevention.
3. Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary team, to identify and resolve issues and provide integrated support to clients.
4. Build rapport with and provide client-centered coaching and support on drop-in basis to clients accessing consumption and treatment services, and document these interactions with clients.
5. Promote an understanding and respect for Indigenous perspectives, culture, and value across the services provided within the Consumption and Treatment Services through the use of 1:1 and group guidance as required with clients and staff.

Case Management

1. Provide comprehensive case management, support, internal and external referral services for program clients
2. Monitors and re-assesses client assessment progress on an ongoing basis, and adjusts goals accordingly, to ensure assessment needs are realized.
3. Assists in completing forms and needed paperwork (i.e. Ontario Works, ODSP, Trillium, Birth Certificate, tribunal, housing, etc…)
4. Advocates on behalf of service users for better services
5. Uses sound professional judgment and acts in accordance with all Réseau ACCESS Network policies and procedures and standards of practice set forth by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
6. Provide practical supports for clients in the community, e.g., facilitating access to transportation, food bank, financial assistance, Naloxone training, culturally relevant teachings.

Program Planning Evaluation

1. In consultation with the Manager of Consumption and Treatment Services, set deliverables for the Consumption and Treatment Services program.  Develop and implement work plans consistent with agency mandate and policies; monitor, evaluate and report on progress towards those goals.
2. Responsible for the completion and timely submission of relevant funding reports and applications to the Manager of Consumption and Treatment Services.
3. Assist in developing evaluation tools while ensuring that clients are an integral part of the evaluation and feedback process.
4. Maintains and strengthens existing community partnerships, and actively seeks new opportunities for community and Indigenous partnerships and collaborations.
5. Ensures maximum opportunities for community partnerships in all aspects of program development, including the design, implementation and evaluation of programs and services.

Community Relations/Advocacy

1. Represent the Consumption and Treatment Services program within community, developing and maintaining relationships with community partners and stakeholders to help achieve the goals of the organization, as directed.

Typical Job Decisions

1. Typical independent decisions that the job holder is required to make without the input of a supervisor. Show these in order of importance to the job.
   1. Decide how to build rapport and support clients.
   2. Decide how to educate clients on harm reduction and what referrals to make.
   3. Decide how to identify and respond to client overdose.

1. Typical decisions that the job holder is required to refer to a supervisor.
2. Decide when to place service restrictions on a client.
3. Decide how to respond when clients are a threat to themselves and other.
4. Decide when to make a significant change to programs.

Media Responsibilities 

1. In consultation with the Manager of Consumption and Treatment Services, and when appropriate, act as spokesperson to media requests on issues of key affected populations.
2. Represent Réseau ACCESS Network at public meetings and committees and direct partnership relationship strategies to advance the mission of the organization as assigned.
3. Work with the Manager of Consumption and Treatment Services on strategies to grow our community presence and facilitate the transfer of knowledge to community and Indigenous stakeholders.

Other:

• Assist with other duties as deemed important and appropriate by the Manager of Consumption and Treatment Services.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures set out by the Board of Directors of Réseau ACCESS Network
• Assures harm reduction supply inventory is adequate and prepares orders as needed.

Job Knowledge and Skills (The specialized knowledge and skills required)

1. Works from a trauma-informed approach and practice.
2. Ability to provide culturally safe service delivery for all those accessing services.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous communities and organizations as well as an understanding of the effects of intergenerational trauma on Indigenous persons.
4. Crisis intervention knowledge and skills.
5. Social services knowledge, including availability of community resources.
6. Knowledge and skills related to applying the following to service delivery: Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/HCV, Anti-Racism/Anti Oppression, Sex Positivity, Principles of Harm Reduction, Holistic Health, Civil Society, and Indigenous cultures and traditions.
7. Knowledge and skills related to working with people who are living with, at risk of or impacted by HIV/HCV; who may be vulnerable and marginalized; and may also be experiencing challenges related to mental health, addictions and homelessness.
8. Health education and promotion knowledge and skills
9. Safe sharps handling and disposal knowledge and skills
10. Case management knowledge and skills

11. Oral and written communication knowledge and skills
12. Interpersonal knowledge and group facilitation skills.
13. Computer software skills
14. Fluency in French and English, both oral and written is an asset.
15. Fluency in an Indigenous language specific to the needs of those we serve is an asset.
    1. Ability to share knowledge and expertise in different areas through cultural teaching activities, including ceremony, talking circles, crafts

 Job Qualifications 

1. Required – Post-secondary degree or diploma in social services and/or related field or five years of case management experience in related social services.  Clear vulnerable sector police record check.  First Aid/CPR-BLS / NVCI, and Naloxone training. Bilingual (français/English) candidates or those of Indigenous descent will be given priority consideration for this position if found qualified.
2. Required – Valid proof of double vaccination against COVID-19 using a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine (or a single dose vaccine if approved by Health Canada).

 Working Conditions 

Physical Effort

• Physical requirement include the dexterity to reach, stand, squat, twist, repeatedly lift light loads, and to perform sedentary work.
• Potential for performing CPR and assisting to transfer a person onto a gurney (heavy load shorter distance).

Visual and Concentration Effort

• Daily listening and observation

Service Delivery Variables/Dynamics

• Possible shift assignments of 12-hour shifts on a continental rotation (including weekends)
• Potential exposure to people who are irate and whose values are in opposition to those of the organization
• Engagement with people who may experience unstable/unpredictable behaviour due to mental health conditions and/or substance use including: crisis, psychosis, and various effects of withdrawal and/or overdose risk
• Potential for meetings and/or community engagement events after regular work hours. (Overtime compensated by time off in lieu.)

Developed:      September 2020

Approved:        December 2021