South Riverdale Community Health Centre is a non-profit, multi-service organization that provides primary healthcare, social and community outreach services with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention primarily to people of East Toronto. Our mission is to improve the lives of people that face barriers to physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being. We do so by meaningfully engaging our clients and communities, ensuring equitable access to primary health care and delivering quality care through a range of evidence informed programs, services and approaches. As a leader in community health, our locally and internationally recognized community services include cutting-edge primary health services, health promotion, harm reduction, environmental health, community food centre and population-based community programs for marginalized peoples. We value health equity and inclusion and respect in our work and in the delivery of our services.
The CHW – Outreach – East Toronto Outreach Project (ETOP) will engage and work with community members who use drugs and have mental health issues through the provision of outreach, group and support services/resources to support individuals in accessing and maintaining connections with mental health, primary care and harm reduction programs/services.
This position is expected to work onsite.
Responsibilities:
- Provide HIV/HCV-specific prevention materials, harm reduction and overdose prevention education for people who use drugs in East Toronto and related neighbourhoods
- Provide referrals to health, social, legal and other relevant services to people who use drugs on outreach shifts, and work to ensure clients are integrated into the appropriate services both within the CHC and wider community as requested
- Provide support, monitor timesheets and guide the daily work of 3-4 Harm Reduction Workers, in collaboration with the COUNTERfit Coordinator and Program Manager
- Follow safety protocols established by the COUNTERfit Harm Reduction Program during fieldwork, including needle distribution and collection, team communication, crisis prevention and de-escalation
- Provide support to groups and community development initiatives for clients who use drugs and have mental health struggles, together with the broader COUNTERfit team
- Provide crisis response and support team-based case management, as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Participate in systemic advocacy, grassroots organizing, awareness raising and public education for positive social change via involvement in community-based committees and networks, in consultation with the Program Manager
- Address emerging demands and crisis needs of South Riverdale Community Health Centre
- Participate in COUNTERfit Harm Reduction Program initiatives as needed
- Participate in program evaluation and client needs assessment, in conjunction with the Program Manager-Harm Reduction and Hep C
- Work flexible hours including evenings and weekends dependent on client needs and operational demands
- Maintain data entry to record outreach encounters in a timely manner, meet with Program Manager-Harm Reduction and Hep C to review trends on a bi-monthly basis and assist in the preparation of reports
- Collaborates with one’s service team and other teams across the organization to identify and provide street outreach and health education to target groups
- All other duties as required
Qualifications:
- Post-secondary education from a recognized University or College or equivalent experience
- 3 – 5 years relevant training and experience in mental health and harm reduction
- Excellent understanding of impacts of systemic oppression on marginalized individuals and communities
- Skills and experience engaging people who use drugs in street outreach, shelters, and/or drop-ins
- Excellent knowledge of and ability to apply harm reduction principles and practices in work with the community
- Excellent understanding of community-based service provision including ability to identify and connect with appropriate community-based services/resources
- Well-developed and demonstrable experience in crisis management in the mental health/social services field
- Skills and experience designing and delivering diverse group programming, including arts-based approaches, popular education, participatory research, peer support and information/education focused groups
- Excellent understanding of principles of community development and experience applying these principles in work settings
- Excellent understanding and ability to apply and integrate client-centered work
- Extensive knowledge and ability to apply or integrate mental health, harm reduction and crisis services and systems
- Work within an anti-oppression and trauma-informed framework
- Demonstrated respect for diversity, equity and accessibility with the ability to work collaboratively and positively with others
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team
- Proficiency in the use of computer technology and various software applications
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Current involvement in community work an asset
- Lived experience considered an asset
- Police clearance documentation will be required for employment
- Proof of double COVID-19 vaccination status will be required for employment
This posting remains open until the position is filled.
Please mail in your cover letter and resume in confidence to:
The Hiring Committee – CHW – Outreach – ETOP
South Riverdale Community Health Centre
955 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON M4M 3P3
Or by email to: [email protected].
Please enter “CHW – Outreach – ETOP” in the subject line of your email.
No faxes, phone calls, or requests to meet please.
This is a bargaining unit position with CUPE Local 5399.
SRCHC welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
SRCHC is an equal opportunity employer. We would like to thank all those that apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
SRCHC encourages applicants who are racialized (IBPOC) and/or applicants who face any barriers as a result of systemic discrimination to apply for this position.
SRCHC encourages a scent-free environment. Employees, students, volunteers, and visitors are asked to refrain from wearing fragrances and other scented personal care products (i.e. perfumes, deodorants, lotions, hairspray, etc.) while at the Centre.
