Outreach Worker, Overdose Outreach Team

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is CAD $33.49 - $35.31 / hour

Detailed Overview

Within the context of a client and family-centred model and in accordance with established vision and values of the organization, the Overdose Outreach Team (OOT) Outreach Worker works as a member of an interdisciplinary team to provide support services to individuals and their families with accessing opioid agonist therapy and related support services. Monitors clients by methods such as observing client's health condition and environment. Arranges, plans, escorts and accompanies as necessary, designated/marginalized individuals on appointments, errands and other activities. Creates linkages to other community resources and programs. Assists clients in accessing benefits or assistance as appropriate and provides brief planning and coordination on issues related to substance use, opioid agonist therapy, overdose prevention and harm reduction. Under the direction of the Registered Nurse, administers medication to clients and provides medication reminders. Liaises and works with community resources and healthcare providers. Provides basic health-promoting information and promotes development of life-skills to clients. Performs a variety of general clerical duties, attends meetings and participates in patient care planning and coordination.

Responsibilities

• Monitors clients by methods such as observing client's health condition and environment including functional ability, living arrangement, and family supports, documenting behavioural, physical and cognitive changes in accordance with standard procedures or specific directions, and reporting significant and unsafe observations to Registered Nurse or delegate.
• Arranges, plans, escorts and accompanies as necessary, designated/marginalized individuals on medical appointments and errands, while providing emotional, moral support and physical assistance to further the development of self-management skills.
• Creates linkages to other community resources and programs, contacts relevant organizations/ businesses/ services, and assists clients with processing forms. Assists clients with access to other resources (food, supplements) and provides advocacy as needed.
• Assists clients in accessing benefits or assistance as appropriate and provides brief assessment and planning on issues related to substance use, opioid agonist therapy, overdose prevention and harm reduction and social determinants of health such as income security, housing, social networks, self-efficacy and self-care. Acts in an advocacy role with government agencies, health care providers and landlords.
• According to established procedures and under the direction of the Registered Nurse, administers medication to clients and provides medication reminders in accordance with established procedures.  Identifies potential emergency situations, and makes appropriate interventions to meet individual needs and situational requirements as necessary such as performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest, contacting Mental Health Emergency Services, ambulance, or the police, and staying with clients.
• Acts as a liaison between various agencies by acting as an inter-agency link.  Updates designated team staff on services currently available and liaises with community agencies to provide information on services.
• Identifies client's needs for services and makes appropriate referrals, or develops alternate strategies for client support, education and follow-up care.
• Provides basic health-promotion information to clients such as crisis counselling/prevention/intervention around issues such as violence, loss/grief, harm reduction.
• Promotes development of life-skills in clients by providing them with information/referrals and practical assistance to meet their basic needs and encourages client empowerment and capacity to exercise choice and actively participate in decisions affecting their own health and healthcare.
• Performs a variety of general clerical duties such as responding to calls/inquiries regarding routine program information, maintaining client files, utilizes a variety computer software applications, keyboards and produces a variety of documents, files, photocopies, and faxes as required.
• Attends meetings and participates in patient care planning and co-ordination.
• Maintains an accurate record of outreach activities and provide regular reports.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements.  Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Completion of Substance Use Certificate plus one year's recent related experience working with clients with substance use issues, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experienced.

Valid BC driver's license and vehicle.

Current CPR certificate.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work with marginalized and culturally diverse populations including those with substance use issues and mental illness.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promotes communication and leads to a cooperative approach to problem solving within a multidisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with clients and families in order to explore issues that are beyond the initial presented concerns.
• Working knowledge of harm reduction principles.
• Crisis prevention/intervention and conflict resolution/de-escalation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment as well as capacity to work in partnership with other community agencies.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.