Harm Reduction Worker

The role of the Trailer Harm Reduction (Peer) Worker is to assertively engage clients of the CTS in a trusting relationship and support them while they access services.

The peer role is to engage, build rapport and advocate for clients while enforcing the rules that allow for the safe operation of The Trailer in compliance with the terms and conditions of the exemption from Health Canada.

Applicants must be willing and available to work a full rotation, including day, evening, and overnight shifts. Rotations also include weekdays, weekends and statutory holiday shifts.

Qualifications :

• Personal experience with any of the following : drug use, mental health and / or homelessness.
• Knowledge and comfort working with Aboriginal communities, the homeless & under housed, injection drug users, sex trade workers, as well as members of the LGTBQ2S+ communities.
• Knowledge about stimulants, opiates & injection drug use issues.
• Be comfortable around injection drug use.
• Knowledge about alcohol abuse.
• Good people skills required, must be open, non-judgemental and willing to learn.
• Fluency in English required.
• Fluency in French,Anishinaabemowin / Ojibwe, Cree, and / or Inuktitut a bonus.
• Familiarity and comfort with, computer software such as email, word documents and spreadsheets.
• Well-developed skills in setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries, confidentiality and trust with people in crisis.
• A well-developed sense of when personal safety is at risk.
• Ability to work within a harm reduction framework.
• Extensive knowledge about mental illness and substance use.
• Well-developed skills in setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries, confidentiality and trust with people in crisis.
• A demonstrated level of stability in your personal life which will allow you to be at work reliably and not affected by exposure to people who are living with mental illness and using substances in a negative way or in a way that will affect your recovery.
• Ability to be assertive without being aggressive.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to avoid upsetting or offending clients.
• Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Have up to date vaccinations.
• Current Standard First Aid certificate.
• Must provide a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Records Check (A criminal record is not an automatic disqualification for the role).

Ottawa Inner City Health welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Applicants are encouraged to apply directly here : https : / / ottawainnercityhealth.applytojobs.ca / harm reduction / 31096