Job Overview

COVID-19 vaccine and booster required.

This position is union eligible.

Program participants are 18 and over adults who are under the influence of substances and need short term assistance and support. HR360 will be operating the Privacy Area at the Tenderloin Linkage Center in a manner that treats all participants with compassion, dignity and respect. Shifts are staffed with a supervisor, EMT, health workers, and safety navigators. The team works to ensure the safety of all participants, especially focused on those who may be using substances in the Privacy Area.

The program is a welcoming, compassionate, trauma-informed, culturally attuned, and user-responsive space that focuses on the principles of harm reduction. Alongside providing a safe, comfortable space for clients, our emphasis is on supporting people at increased risk of substance use-related high-risk behaviors and trauma, homelessness, and death due to overdose. Priority will be given to clients’ safety, and all staff will be trained in OD Prevention, Recognition, Response and Narcan Administration. By recognizing the dignity and humanity of all participants, HR360 aspires:

This position requires full vaccination against COVID-19 before hire.

HealthRIGHT 360 is an equal opportunity employer, and reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with either disabilities or religious exemptions to meet this requirement, and other essential job functions.

The work schedule for this position is: 11:30am-8pm, but may be adjusted along with any changes of program hours.

Job duties may be performed indoors or outdoors. May be required to work nights and weekends. May be redeployed to work at other relevant sites as needed.

Health Workers in Harm Reduction Services ensure that participants, clients and guests of the center have access to services and support to minimize harms associated with substance use and to restore their agency and to achieve their self-defined recovery goals. The Harm Reduction Health Worker is a resource for participants, clients, and guests providing general information about resources available at the center to facilitate access to services. The Harm Reduction Worker plays a vital role in establishing positive relationships and will monitor client behavior to ensure the safety of participants and staff.

As a part of a collaborative team, along with EMTs, Safety Monitors, and supervisors, Health Workers will ensure participant safety and comfort while supporting them in adhering to the participant guidelines of the program. Health Workers will model and demonstrate healthy COVID-19 protocols, wearing appropriate PPE and practicing physical distancing, while they observe and monitor participants, and support them in meeting their needs in accordance with the program. Health Workers will be required to complete minimal documentation and assist in connecting our participants to ongoing services and supports, and others as they arise.

The Health Worker may also be designated to fill the role of Health & Safety Representative including monthly safety trainings, emergency drills, maintain safety supplies, update emergency response plan, and attend safety meetings.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Service Responsibilities:

• Treat program participants with respect and dignity, interacting with them in a compassionate, non-judgmental manner, utilizing harm reduction and a trauma-informed approach.
• Respond to participants’ needs, ensure that site protocols are being addressed.
• Respond to crises (e.g. conflict) with crisis de-escalation interventions and Administer Narcan when responding to overdoses.
• Attend to the program milieu to help maintain safe space for participants.
• Verbally de-escalates tense, high pressure, and emotionally charged situations.
• Provide health education and support in accordance with harm reduction principles.
• Work as active team member along with EMTs, other health workers, janitors, safety monitors, and supervisors to maintain safety, calm tone, and cleanliness of program.
• Complete regular monitoring and provide wellness checks when required.
• Complete basic intakes by welcoming people, informing them of program norms/parameters/resources, and documenting their participation.
• If necessary, to provide proactive ‘warm-handoff’ referral and linkages for participants to hospital care, substance use treatment, health, and social services.
• May be required to work nights and weekends.

Administrative/Compliance Responsibilities:

• Engage with community partners around participant referrals.
• Attend internal program staff meetings and administrative supervision including regular shift meetings and various ad hoc meetings.
• Along with Team, take ownership to ensure the overall quality of participant and health services at program.
• Document the individual participant entrance and exit of program, distribution of harm reduction supplies, and inventory.
• Fill the role of Health & Safety Representative including monthly safety trainings, emergency drills, maintain safety supplies, update emergency response plan, and attend safety meetings.

Training Responsibilities:

• Participate in ongoing trainings including radical hospitality, harm reduction, OD Prevention/Narcan Administration, anti-stigma, crisis response and de-escalation.
• Basic drug knowledge, motivational interviewing, customer service, trauma-informed service provision, team-based care, and other related topics.
• And other duties as assigned.

Education and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Education and Experience:

• We value Lived experience of homelessness, illicit drug, and alcohol use.
• Experience working with people who use drugs and people experiencing homelessness.
• Experience working successfully with issues of substance abuse, mental health, criminal background, systemic racism, poverty and other potential barriers to economic self-sufficiency.
• Proficiency with harm reduction, restorative justice and trauma-informed care.
• Preferred: bilingual in SF threshold languages: Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin), Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese.
• First Aid Certified within 30 days of employment.
• CPR Certified within 30 days of employment.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of substance use and health concerns of people who inject drugs and use substances, and who are experiencing homelessness.
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction practices.
• Knowledge of health and social services throughout the city of San Francisco Awareness and sensitivity to diverse and marginalized populations.
• Ability to speak candidly and knowledgeably about drug use.
• Ability to implement de-escalation techniques, follow safely protocols, and use sound judgment in making independent decisions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and sometimes chaotic environment with people who can be high, who may have untreated mental and/or physical health challenges.
• Background Clearance:
• Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Skills and Abilities Required:

• Professionalism, compassion, flexibility and reliability are imperative.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills Integrity to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Action oriented.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organization skills and ability to multitask and juggle multiple priorities.
• Outstanding ability to follow-through with tasks.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively as part of interdisciplinary team and independently assume responsibility.
• Strong initiative and enthusiasm and willingness to pitch-in whenever needed.

Desired:

• Knowledge of co-occurring disorders and trauma informed treatment.
• Knowledge of Clinical documentation (treatment plans, progress notes etc.)
• Overdose Prevention and Narcan Administration.

Tag: IND100.