Job Summary
The primary purpose of the Harm Reduction Specialist job is to assist clients/participants via sexual health and harm reduction services offered at ASGCC, the goal of which is to improve health outcomes for individuals who may be at greater risk for potential health risks due to factors, such as use of substances, sexual practices, and other social determinants.

To support and assist those served to improve their own health, the Harm Reduction Specialist uses the harm reduction model in tandem with the person-centered approach by meeting clients/participants “where they are at” and providing them with non-judgmental, non-coercive services, including sexual health and overdose prevention education and NARCAN training and distribution, HIV/STI screenings, PrEP/PEP services, syringe access and disposal, risk reduction counseling, and referrals for mental health, addiction, and medical supports.

This is a full-time position working both traditional and non-traditional hours (e.g., weekend hours or evening hours, during special events, etc.) with frequent travel required between Hyannis, Falmouth, Provincetown, Martha’s Vineyard and other ASGCC locations (including the mobile units.)

Essential Functions

The Harm Reduction Specialist’s essential job functions are:

· Direct Services: Provides direct services using the harm reduction approach to clients/participants at multiple Cape Cod locations, including:

o Harm reduction education

o HIV/HCV/STI screening and education, including health and sexual health education

o PrEP and PEP assessments and referrals/navigation

o Opioid overdose prevention & education and NARCAN training and distribution

o Overdose and risk reduction counseling

o Syringe access and disposal, including community retrieval and distribution of syringes and access to safe supplies for vein and wound care

o Short-term navigation and linkage to care services. Referrals to interim and extended health care, behavioral health care, recovery resources, social services, etc.

o Initial intake and assessment

· Lab Technician Services: Provides lab technician services including:

o Phlebotomy based blood specimen collection

o Oropharyngeal Swab and self-swabbing technique education

o Blood, urine, and extra-genital specimen processing, packaging, and shipping

o Accurate and timely completion and processing of related documentation (including spreadsheets) and requisition submission

o Deliver results and coordinate follow up and work with state epidemiologists

· Crisis Intervention: May work with clients/participants in crisis or experiencing trauma requiring de-escalation techniques and making appropriate referrals, and if applicable, completing an incident report with seeking appropriate guidance from management.

· Professional Relationships: Ensures effective delivery of services by building trusting, professional relationships with clients/participants, team members, and external service providers. Under the guidance of the direct supervisor, works with community partners for delivery of services and programs for clients/participants.

· Data Collection and Reporting: Collects data for ASGCC’s Harm Reduction Program and assists in reporting by entering data into applicable applications, including data required by ASGCC for internal purposes and data required by the state and grants. This includes accurately completing and submitting required DPH internal forms and Quality Assurance error reports to the Manager, Harm Reduction and Outreach Services, and meeting deadlines for same.

· Prevention and Screening Kits and Other Materials: Creates prevention and screening kits and organize supplies, including assisting the Manager, Harm Reduction and Outreach Services with tracking and maintaining inventory of same. Regularly checks expiration dates to ensure all materials are up to date. Notifies supervisor/site coordinator of needs.

· Community Outreach: Performs outreach activities, including but not limited to distribution of agency materials in the communities served, inform the community of services available, attending community events/happenings to provide direct outreach and, when applicable, triage connecting community members to the agency’s services. Facilitate community training for topics including Opioid Overdose Education and Narcan Distribution, Sexual Health, and Harm Reduction. Proactively seek out target population on foot or mobile to provide needed services.

· MA DPH and Other Trainings: Attend required MA DPH trainings. Attend other trainings, including training provided as part of onboarding and other trainings to remain up to date on best practices related to prevention, screening, and harm reduction.

· Participation in grant funded initiatives (to include Appendix where applicable)

· Regular attendance is required, due to teamwork needed to perform some tasks as well as for safety reasons.

· Perform other duties and activities as assigned, including some office support work.

Candidate must:

· Be able to establish and maintain interpersonal relationships while maintaining professional boundaries and develop constructive and collaborative working relationships with others and maintain them over time. Must be able to connect with individuals and be nonjudgmental.

· Maintain confidentiality at all times.

· Maintain professional and ethical boundaries with clients/participants at all times.

· When in communities served (Cape Cod), represent the agency in a professional and ethical manner.

· Be able to develop constructive and collaborative working relationships with others, including community partners, and maintain them over time.

· Have a basic understanding of, and belief in, the principles and practices of harm reduction, which includes meeting clients/participants “where they are at” and providing nonjudgmental services throughout the clients’/participants’ continuum of healthcare.

· Be able to actively listen, giving full attention to what individuals are saying, taking time to understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

· Be service oriented and self-motivated with an ability to work independently while actively looking for ways to help clients/participants and others.

· Be well organized, including keeping track of information needed, following up as required, and staying on top of deadlines for reassessments, file reviews, and other requirements. This includes data collection and timely reporting of same.

· Have problem solving skills and be sensitive to problems and skilled at helping clients/participants identify when something is wrong or could go wrong and helping the client/participant to develop tools for solving the problem.

· Be socially perceptive and aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

· Be able to communicate with others to convey information effectively.

· Be a critical thinker and use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Working Conditions:

A person in the job of Harm Reduction Specialist frequently works both indoors and outdoors, including in offices and other close quarters, community program buildings, and on the streets. In addition, an individual in this job frequently works with chemicals and draws blood, and therefore, has exposure to biohazardous materials syringes/venipuncture needles. As an agency that holds harm reduction as a core principle, some outreach work involves engaging in non-traditional environments, including possible proximity to and/or witnessing sexual acts and/or use of substances.

• ASGCC is an equal opportunity employer. A core value of the organization is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome all qualified individuals to apply regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age and /or other factors that define who you are.

Pay: $26.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person