This position provides an opportunity to work with a mobile outreach program that offers an array of harm reduction interventions, rapid HIV testing, substance use and sexually transmitted disease screenings and assessments, and assessment and referral services to people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS. The Program is geared toward lessening the incidence of HIV and other blood borne diseases among hard to engage individuals, assertively assisting referral and maintenance in health care and other services, and documenting access and maintenance in care. This position is responsible for delivering individual and group level AOD and low threshold AOD interventions to HIV-positive, or those at risk for HIV, substance users. Specific target populations include people of color, sex workers, gay/bi/gay-for-pay men, and injection drug users. Services also include providing rapid HIV testing, and providing substance use and sexually transmitted infection screenings, assessments, and referrals. This position also requires the candidate to serve as a back-up driver for H4RP.
Mandatory requirements of the job include conducting 20 individual alcohol and other drug interventions (AOD) per month and two group level interventions per month (these are client-centered HIV substance use/harm and risk reduction interventions to help clients initiate and maintain behavior change to prevent the transmission of HIV, and to empower clients with the information necessary to take control of their lives and their health); conducting 20 individual low threshold harm reduction-based interventions per month and 2 group level interventions per month (interventions are geared toward clients’ stabilization and/or reduction in drug use, decreased risk in drug use, and decreased risk in sexual practices -- this work may include assisting clients in disclosing personal HIV serostatus); providing eight HIV rapid tests per month, including pre-and post-test counseling, and making referrals to appropriate follow up care as needed; conducting eight screenings and assessments for substance use per month with HIV-positive clients, and making referrals to treatment as needed; conducting eight screenings and assessments for sexually transmitted infections per month with HIV-positive clients, and making referrals to treatment as needed; conducting eight overdose prevention trainings per month (these trainings help clients recognize, prevent, and treat an opiate overdose); conducting 15 intakes and assessments per month and developing service plans in collaboration with the client, providing reassessment, reengagement, screener updates, case conferencing, service plan updates, and case closure as needed; making referrals as needed to HIV primary care, mental health services, case management, housing services, and benefits; providing crisis intervention as needed; providing street-based outreach in an effort to engage clients in service (this includes conducting outreach in locations where our populations are visible and in need of services, assessing new outreach venues, distribution of materials and information about services); maintaining a strong knowledge of HIV/AIDS, substance use, harm reduction, and population specific trends, including treatment information and developments that affect clients’ access to care; and preparing progress notes, conducting referrals, and following up as needed.
Essential driving functions include being responsible for serving as a back-up driver for the program mobile unit (an R/V) and other vehicles as needed; assisting with general vehicle maintenance and upkeep, including timely reporting to supervisor of any problems with the vehicle (i.e. leaks, oil, break flasher); completing weekly checklists; returning vehicles with a full tank of gas; conducting a general weekly inspection to ensure lights, appliances, etc. are fully functioning; scheduling weekly/monthly flushing; ensuring vehicle is routinely clean and presentable for H4RP and other programs; and assisting with loading up the R/V, including, but not limited to, food pantries and snacks.
Other responsibilities include attending data driven, continuous quality improvement, and clinical supervision, as well as departmental, divisional and staff meetings; and ensuring paperwork is submitted in a timely manner and that files are up to date and accurate.
This position requires a high school diploma, college degree preferred, and no less than two years experience in HIV prevention counseling, specifically with injection and other drug users, people of color, sex workers, the LGBT community, and clients with multiple issues including mental health issues, poverty, and homelessness. Education can be substituted for work experience. Candidate should have experience facilitating support and risk reduction counseling groups. Candidate must be able to demonstrate an ability to drive a large vehicle safely to and from outreach locations, have a clean driving record, and possess NY state driver’s license.
In addition to the above-listed job responsibilities and educational requirements, the ideal candidate for this position possesses a basic to broad knowledge base about work with active injection and other drug users and other multiple-problem clients; substance use knowledge and knowledge of and respect for the harm reduction model and its principals; strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work well with others; counseling Skills, both individual and group; multiple-language skills; and knowledge of health disparities and social factors that lead to increased HIV/AIDS risk and exposure among target populations, specifically drug users.
Cover letters and resumes should be sent to Stephen Crowe, Harm Reduction Coordinator, FROST’D @ Harlem United, 224 West 30th St, Suite 901, New York, NY 10001, [email protected] [13]. No calls please. This position is open until it is filled, but FROST'D is looking to hire as soon as possible.