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Needle Syringe Program Worker

North Richmond Community Health
  • Fixed-Term Part-Time role – weekdays between 9am and 7pm

North Richmond Community Health (NRCH) is committed to making healthcare more accessible and culturally relevant. With the recent addition of Victoria’s first Medically Supervised Injecting Room, NRCH works with community members to support social justice principles which afford all people the right to dignity, respect, and the highest quality of care.

NRCH provides a range of medical, allied health, dental and community services to clients from all backgrounds. We also provide specialist health services in other parts of Victoria, and work with health, government and community services around the country.

We are currently seeking to appoint a Needle Syringe Program Worker within our Alcohol and Other Drugs Team, on a permanent part-time basis.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

Needle Syringe Program

  • Provide a range of injecting equipment including needles/syringes (NS), medi swabs, sharps containers, condoms and lube in conjunction with resources and information on overdose prevention, HIV and Hepatitis B & C prevention and treatment options, information and materials on safer sex and on safe disposal.
  • Ensure required level of stock is maintained, inform NSP admin worker of all stock requirements, educational and other resources and participate in keeping the storage room organised.
  • Follow NSP and NRCH guidelines for infection control, replenish stock in the service as required and ensure NSP work space is kept in good working condition.
  • Participate in needle/syringe retrievals and monitor the area around NRCH for inappropriate drug use and discarded equipment.

Alcohol and Drug Program – general duties

  • Assess and monitor clients who present at the service at risk of overdose and/or who manifest other signs of high level or risky substance use
  • Informed by an understanding of harm reduction and prevention, provide information or referral on good health, nutrition and diet, sexual health education, HIV, hepatitis prevention and hepatitis C treatment options and relapse prevention etc.
  • Provide on request, referral information and supported referral to a range of other health, welfare, legal, housing and drug treatment services
  • Routinely collect data and provide reports to Department of Health, Management and others on request.
  • Contribute to continuous quality improvement processes
  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of an innovative AOD service delivery model
  • Attend and participate in relevant internal and external meetings, professional development and other forums.
  • Carry out other duties as requested by management.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

  • Cert IV AOD/ 4 Core Competencies or willingness to undertake
  • Current First Aid Certificate or willingness to undertake
  • Demonstrated understanding of harm minimisation policy, in particular, harm reduction in relation to illicit drug use and health
  • Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of the range of issues that impact people who use illicit drugs and relevant support strategies
  • Understanding of co-occurring drug use and mental health and harm reduction in the context of illicit & other drugs and risks associated with the use of these.
  • Knowledge of local agencies and services relevant to the client group.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution and negotiation, and the ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
  • Ability to multi task, prioritise effectively and achieve quality outcomes in a busy, client focused environment.
  • Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently with minimal supervision.

This is a unique opportunity to work with a leading Victorian healthcare organisation where you can truly make a difference to patients, people and the community.

The preferred candidate will be required to undergo a Police Check prior to any offer of employment being made and only successful candidates will be notified.

A Position Description is attached.

How to apply

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