ABOUT YOUR ORGANISATION

The Loop Australia is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2018 to develop the sustainable provision of drug checking services in Australia. We are a sister organisation to The Loop UK which formed in 2013 and has provided drug checking for the public since 2016. The Loop Australia has been a mostly volunteer-based organisation, with teams of chemists, health professionals and researchers based in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

In 2023, the Queensland Health Minister announced the Queensland Government’s support for the delivery of drug checking services in Queensland. In late 2023, Queensland Health sought invitations from service providers to deliver services from both fixed locations and mobile locations (e.g. music festivals). A partnership led by the Queensland Injectors Health Network in partnership with QuIVAA and The Loop Australia were successful and have been contracted to deliver the service. Service delivery commenced in Brisbane in April 2024, with Gold Coast service delivery to commence in the first week of July 2024, with the contract end date being 18th of April 2025.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Healthcare & Harm Reduction Worker provides brief interventions for people who have submitted substances for chemical analysis to the drug checking service. This position will join a small pool of casual Health and Harm Reduction Workers who will operate on a rotating roster. This position is paid at SCHADS Award Level 5.1 (casual).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF Health and harm reduction worker

• To explain the service including limitations of the service to people who intend to have their substances analysed, to ensure all service users are providing informed consent
• To provide results of chemical analysis contextualised for individuals taking account of medical conditions, prescribed medication interactions and poly-substance combinations
• To provide high quality harm reduction information and education in a non-judgemental and respectful manner
• To complete data entry relating to service delivery
• To provide referrals on to other health or welfare services, where service users are identified as requiring additional support
• To work alongside a multidisciplinary team including people with lived experience of drug use, chemists and other health workers

HOURS

• Casual shifts can range from 3 - 10 hours per week
• There may be some shifts that extend to early evenings or (occasionally) weekends
• There may be very occasional instances where we may ask staff to cover shifts in the Brisbane service

MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS

This role requires tertiary qualifications in one or more of the following disciplines:

• Medicine
• Nursing
• Social Work
• Psychology
• Pharmacy
• Occupational Therapy
• AOD Counselling or equivalent

DESIREABLE:

• Direct practice experience in alcohol and other drug treatment / harm reduction settings
• Current first aid certificate
• Current CPR certificate
• Hold a current "C" class drivers licence

A position description is attached.