What are the responsibilities and job description for the Harm Reduction Worker position at Lincoln County?
Your job in the department is to . . .
Provide harm reduction services to individuals at highest risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C/B and other infections. Engage individuals who may not be ready to stop substance use by offering strategies to reduce health risks.
Your job also involves . . .
Working closely with populations that are typically underserved and stigmatized, including: people with complex trauma history, who use illicit substances (i.e. injection drugs), experiencing mental health challenges, experiencing houselessness, who engage in high-risk sexual behavior, and those who have sporadic engagement in medical care.
Services:
- Client Outreach Deliver field based (outdoor) and fixed site (indoor) best practice syringe services and overdose (OD) prevention services following program guidelines and procedures.
- Engage clients in tailored health promotion counseling; make referrals to needed services based on assessed behavior change readiness.
- Collect, contain, transport and unload biohazardous waste, recycling and trash following program guidelines and procedures.
- Deliver naloxone training elements; document and distribute naloxone per Oregon law.
- Conduct rapid field screening for STDs and provide sexual health education.
Documentation:
- Track and report on services provided to clients including needle exchange supplies, sexually transmitted infection testing.
- Work collaboratively with other team members to develop educational materials for a wide variety of audiences.
Other Functions:
- Track supply inventory.
- Order and receive supply deliveries and move to storage areas.
- Participate in team & regional meetings as well as community events.
- Drive program vehicles to/ from various service locations; monitor vehicle gas levels and maintenance needs taking action as needed.
Minimum Education Level
Bachelors
Specifics: In Public Health or Behavioral Science field
Substitution Note: Experience can be used in lieu of minimum education requirements. Associate degree with 1 year experience in community outreach services providing health information, advocacy, social support and assistance in using the health care system. High School Diploma/GED and 2 years of experience in community outreach services providing health information, advocacy, social services support and assistance using the health care system.
Driver’s License
Oregon Driver's License required
Specifics: This position also requires an insurable driving record and a valid Oregon driver’s license within 30 days of appointment.
Ability to provide proof of COVID-19 Vaccination. Religious and Medical exceptions may be approved per our approval process.
Desirable Qualifications: Bilingual in Spanish. HIV/Hepatitis C/STI testing experience and/or phlebotomy skills. Syringe services and overdose prevention training experience.
Knowledge of:
- Substance abuse issues.
- HIV and HIV prevention.
- Hepatitis.
Skill or ability to:
- Work with minimal supervision.
- Accomplish a variety of tasks simultaneously; ability to document accurately and legibly.
- Perform simple mathematical calculations.
- Demonstrated ability in cultural competence.
- Handle conflicting situations.
- Maintain client confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA.
- Convey information, ideas, and facts both orally and in writing to supervisors, colleagues, and individuals, inside and outside the county, using language and a format the audience will best understand.
- Utilize computers and other technology to communicate in written and verbal forms (e.g., word processing, texts, emails, spreadsheets, department-specific software).
- Effectively relate well with others, including supervisors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the county. Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and working to maintain constructive working relationships.
- Take personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Show up to work on time, and follows instructions, policies, and procedures. Meet productivity standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Job Conditions: May be required to work an alternative work schedule. Position involves potential exposure to blood or other bodily fluids in the public health area, or exposure to people with a wide range of physical and behavioral health problems.
Work Location: Lincoln County
Travel: Position may require travel both in county and regionally.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physical capability to handle high mobility demands and complex personal interactions.
- Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).
- Sensory Requirements: Most tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Most tasks require oral communications ability. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.
- Environmental Factors: Tasks are regularly performed with exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents. Tasks are regularly performed with possible exposure to violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Lincoln County is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and essential functions expected of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Salary : $19 - $21
