Harm Reduction Specialist

Abode Services, one of the largest and effective nonprofits working to end homelessness in the Bay Area, is seeking a skilled Harm Reduction Specialist for our Sango Court site in Milpitas, CA. 

About the role: The Harm Reduction Specialist will provide clinical/therapeutic services, with focus on substance use disorders, on an Assertive Community Treatment team.  This team will do outreach, engage, house, and provide wrap around clinical services for all residents.  The residents are referred to by the County Office based on county data and other assessment processes as being the most frequent users of emergency services, criminal justice, and other homeless/county services.  Program participants will have Serious Mental Health Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, and/or Chronic Health Conditions.  

Abode‘s Benefits and Perks: 

• $28.85-$32.00 per hour
• *$2,000 sign-on bonus*
• Flexible work schedules
• 100% paid health benefits for employees
• 31 PTO / Holidays per year
• 403(b) Retirement Plan w/ Employer Match & Contribution Programs
• Dynamic, mission-drive culture and supportive leadership
• Professional Development Opportunities, Leadership Academy Programs, Annual All Staff Events & Holiday Parties

The Diverse Culture: 
We believe that we make better decisions and provide quality services when our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate. People of color make up nearly 70% of our workforce and we strive to recruit and retain employees from all backgrounds.  

How You Make an Impact: 

• Provide clinical case management services, including rehabilitative services, brokerage, collateral, and therapy to residents utilizing an Assertive Community Treatment model. 
• Complete assessments and develop treatment plans for participants resided at the site.  
• Collaboratively work with participants to develop and work on their recovery goals 
• Meet with prospective participants, conduct outreach, and initial intakes and assessments 
• Act as lead on team on substance use disorder issues 
• Utilize Motivational Interviewing techniques to explore participants' substance use/dependency, encourage reduction, provide support to clients moving towards abstinence and/or provide Relapse Prevention services 
• Develop relationships with community agencies providing outpatient and residential drug and alcohol services and support participants in connecting to their services 
• Perform mental status exams, as well as safety assessments that include suicide, homicide, and gravely disabled assessments with participants on an on-going basis 
• Other duties as assigned. 

How You Meet the Qualifications: 

• CADACC I or II preferred or some SUD certification plus field experience in SUD setting. 
• 2 years of experience providing substance recovery services required.  
• 2 years of field experience working with people with serious mental illness, individuals, co-occurring disorders and complex health issues and/or the chronically homeless population. 
• Use of personal vehicle and proof of valid California Driver's License and current auto insurance, along with a clean DMV record, is required.   

COMPETENCIES: 

• Excellent verbal & written communication, organizational, and time management skills. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail. 
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively with teams. 
• Understanding of the following evidence-based practices: Housing First, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, and Relapse Prevention Therapy. 
• Strong skills completing assessments, treatment plans and expertise in clinical writing.  
• Practiced in rigorous clinical work while meeting deadlines for billing, progress notes, and treatment plans.  
• Experience in completing assessments and treatment plans.    
• Experience in a high volume of clinical writing.  
• Experienced in the practice of effectively intervening in crisis situations, with de-escalation techniques. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, systems, and platforms. 
• Ability to learn and use required mobile devices and business-related applications. 
• Understanding and practice of culturally sensitive components of direct service delivery through open dialogs and self-exploration with diverse groups.  
• Outstanding communication skills and high degree of emotional intelligence, cultural humility, with a proven track record to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of internal and external contacts. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Communicating with others to exchange information; seeing to read a variety of materials.  
• Manual dexterity for use of keyboard, tools, controls; repetitive motion that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. 
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods, while at a desk or working on a computer.  
• Ability to drive and sit in a car for prolonged periods of time. 
• Ability to move between floors, ascending and descending stairs.  
• Light work that may include moving or lifting objects up to 25 pounds.   
• Ability to squat, bend at the waist, crouch, reach overhead and horizontally, and kneel.   

WORK CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENT: 

• Must be able to work in a shared office environment with moderate to high noise level with frequent contact and interruption.  
• Multi-level buildings with stairs and/or ramps.  
• Some travel by car throughout the county region and surrounding areas.   

Notice: This description is to be used as a guide only. It does not constitute a contract, commitment or promise of any kind. Abode Services reserves the right to change, add, delete, upgrade, or downgrade the position as dictated by business necessity at any time with or without notice.  

Notice: Abode Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace  

Salary : $29 - $32