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Harm Reduction Practitioner

North Richmond Community Health

North Richmond Community Health (NRCH) is committed to making healthcare more accessible and culturally relevant. We work with community members to support social justice principles which afford all people the right to dignity, respect, and the highest quality of care. With the recent addition of Victoria’s first Medically Supervised Injecting Room, NRCH is dedicated to combating stigma and discrimination experienced by people who use drugs, and improving their quality of life.

NRCH provides a range of medical, allied health, dental and community services to clients from all backgrounds.

The Harm Reduction Practitioner position (Part Time Fixed Term Contract) is responsible for supervising clients before, during and after episodes of injecting. The position aims to optimise health by saving lives and reducing injury from the negative effects associated with drug use. Core activities include client engagement, working with complex and challenging behaviours, health assessment, management of health emergencies, health education, brief interventions and referral to other health and welfare services. This position is part of the MSIR Harm reduction team and works closely with the Nursing team.

This position is accountable to and works under the general direction and guidance of the Harm Reduction Practitioner Team Leader, the shift direction and guidance of the Nurse in Charge and receives guidance, support and direction from the MSIR Management team.

The part time fixed term contract is for a variety of weekday shifts. Shift times are 06.30-14.30 and 13.30-21.30.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

  • Observe and monitor client’s wellbeing throughout their visit to MSIR, acting on client alerts and behavioural contacts as indicated
  • Provide interventions for safer injecting and health promotion
  • Engage with clients to identify health needs and refer to local health and welfare services
  • Develop and maintain skills in overdose management, incident de-escalation and management, infection control, vein care and safer injecting practices, harm reduction and health promotion
  • Participate in needle/syringe retrievals and monitor the area around NRCH as required
  • Provide outreach support and respond to overdoses in the surrounding area as directed
  • Uphold and promote the dignity of all people who use our service and promote awareness and understanding in the community

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

  • Qualifications in Welfare or Social Sciences, Psychology, Public Health or equivalent
  • Demonstrated ability to engage with vulnerable people who may exhibit complex and challenging behaviours
  • Experience working in needle and syringe programs, drug and alcohol services, crisis services
  • Computer competence including the use of clinical databases

Key Attributes:

  • Understanding of, and commitment to, Harm Reduction and Social Justice
  • Understanding of the health, social and legal issues related to injecting drug use and marginalised populations
  • Demonstrated skill and experience providing a comprehensive range of harm reduction interventions with people who inject drugs
  • Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including problem solving ability and conflict resolution skills, as well as sound oral and writing skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment

Preferred:

  • 2 years’ experience working with people who inject drugs advantageous
  • Experience in psychosocial and drug use assessment and referral, supportive counselling and crisis management desirable
  • Experience of working in a trauma-informed model of care desirable

Please note it is a requirement for all employees of North Richmond Community Health to demonstrate evidence of mandatory immunisations/vaccinations prior to commencement of employment, based on the Immunisation Category their position falls under.

All offers of employment are subject to provision of a satisfactory National Criminal History Check and valid Working with Children Check.

For further information regarding this position please contact Sarah Hiley, Harm Reduction Team Leader on [email protected] using the subject line: Harm Reduction Practitioner enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.

How to apply

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