AVI Health & Community Services (AVI) is a multi-disciplinary community-based organisation providing HIV, hepatitis C and harm reduction services out of 5 locations across Vancouver Island. AVI provides services to people living with HIV and hepatitis C and harm reduction clients. We take evidence-based action to prevent infection, provide support, and reduce stigma. We work within a social justice and health promotion framework to ensure equity and access to services for all.

At the core of what we do is our ability, and commitment to, creating meaningful connections. Every day, we strive to create meaningful connections between clients and staff, between peers, between staff members, between organizations, between communities, and between funders and impactful programs. For more info see www.avi.org

Join our supportive, dedicated and client-centred team in promoting the health, dignity and well-being of all people affected by HIV, HCV and substance use by delivering sex-positive and harm reduction-based education, prevention and / or support services.

AVI Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT)

The AVI Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT) is funded by the Province of British Columbia and the Canadian Mental Health Association. PACT is a peer-assisted care program and a mobile crisis response team, led by persons with lived / living experience and mental health professionals who are able to de-escalate crises and develop community care plans with persons experiencing crisis.

The PACT Team is an alternate approach to responding to someone in crisis that focuses on health, well-being and community support. Utilizing a community-based, client centered, trauma-informed response, a peer-assisted model of care has been proven to help individuals navigate mental and social care services and reduce engagement with the justice system and emergency services.

In the spirit of reconciliation and community empowerment, K'ómoks First Nation and AVI Health and Community Services have joined hands to support and create a comprehensive and culturally safe service initiative. KFN provides guidance through the PACT program development to ensure Indigenous preceptive is woven throughout and supports Indigenous peoples accessing this service.

The PACT team provides services on the territories of the K'ómoks First Nation.

JOB SUMMARY :

The PACT team will provide acute mobile crisis support and de-escalation services for persons 13 years of age and older experiencing mental health and / or substance use related crises. Working in collaboration with all team members, the Community Crisis Counsellor is responsible for providing rapid point of service mental health crisis management and de-escalation, including assessment, suicide intervention and safety planning, as well as acute care planning and follow-up.

Alongside the team, this role is grounded in person-centered, harm reduction and trauma informed approaches to care, which center the needs and agency of the service user.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Crisis Response

PACT is an emergency response team, supporting persons and their community / family experiencing mental health and substance use related crises.

At all times, the Community Crisis Counsellor is expected to be :

• Model a high degree of cultural competency, including ensuring services are culturally sensitive and incorporate Indigenous knowledge, practices, and approaches to healing and wellness
• Ready and able to respond to mental health and substance use related crises,
• Triage and adjust responses depending on call acuity, severing and other incoming calls,
• Think critically and respond quickly, especially in critical situations and when deciding the next course of action,
• Attend back-to-back calls,
• Communicate effectively with and follow the direction of the PACT Team's Dispatch / Coordinator or any supervisor,
• Remain responsive to incoming calls up until the end of shift, and / or when Mandatory Emergency Overtime is in effect,
• Demonstrate emotional resilience, including and especially within complex situations,
• Work effectively as a team, including respectful communication throughout and following an emergency crisis response,
• Continuously center the needs of the person experiencing crisis
• Effectively and professionally engage other care providers, including when advocating for a person in crisis, and / or when critically assessing and determining the next course of action,
• Develop comprehensive safety plans and establish post crisis follow-up care, centering the needs of the person in crisis.
• Situational Awareness, Scene Safety and Unpredictable Working Conditions

PACT Works in environments and conditions that many change quickly, including with persons who may be or become escalated.

At all times, the Experiential Community Crisis Responder is expected to :

o All kinds of weather

o For extended periods

o Within and around diverse types of substance use

o Within and around respiratory illnesses

o Within potentially hazardous dwellings

o Within unknown and unpredictable environments

Community-Led responses to mental health and substance use related crises are a new and evolving approach to care, grounded in living knowledge and accountability to communities and individuals who use the service.

As such, the Community Crisis Counsellor is required to :

QUALIFICATIONS :

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

POSITION DETAILS :

TO APPLY :

To apply, please click on Apply To Position and attach your resume and cover letter (optional) by  August 26, 2024 5pm

AVI is committed to equity and diversity and we strongly encourage applications from, but not limited to, folks who identify as Indigenous Persons, persons of colour, racialized, persons living with a disability, persons who use / d drugs, persons with experience of sex work, persons who live with HIV and / or hepatitis C, and persons representing diverse genders and sexualities.

It is beneficial to identify in the cover letter if you are Indigenous and / or have lived / living expertise relevant to the position.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

As AVI is a union environment, internal staff will be prioritized in the hiring process.

We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.