Overdose Response Specialist

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

In response to the unprecedented surge in overdose occurrence and death in the Skid Row community, HHCLA has established an Overdose Outreach Team (OOT), whose primary purpose is to provide frontline overdose response and reversals in the community. The OOT will consist full-time Overdose Response Specialists who will conduct overdose outreach throughout the Skid Row community and a full-time Team Lead who will work closely with the Director of HHCLA’s Center for Harm Reduction (CHR) to oversee the project. The OOT will also seek regular guidance, support, and leadership from a Community Advisory Board composed entirely of people who use drugs in the community. The OOT will extend the geographical reach and volume of clients served by HHCLA’s current Harm Reduction services, which have been offered for over 25 years via the agency’s Center for Harm Reduction.

The primary activities of the outreach team will be: Daily site visits to areas of concentrated drug use; frontline first response to overdose occurrence in the community; overdose prevention and response and safer drug use education; distribution of harm reduction supplies including syringes, cottons, cookers, tourniquets, sterile water, alcohol swabs, fentanyl test strips, naloxone, condoms and lubricant; syringe clean up in the community; daily cleaning and sanitation of areas of concentrated drug use; and sex work outreach and safer sex/sex work education.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Overdose Response Specialist works under the direction of the Overdose Outreach Team Lead and the CHR’s director. The defining duty of the Harm Reduction Outreach Specialist position is rapid, frontline response to overdoses as they occur in the community. The ability to calmly respond to and reverse overdoses in Skid Row for the duration of the Harm Reduction Outreach Specialist’s shift will be the primary skillset of this position. Other duties expected of the Overdose Outreach Specialist are as follows: Daily site visits to areas of concentrated drug use; overdose prevention and response and safer drug use education; distribution of harm reduction supplies including syringes, cottons, cookers, tourniquets, sterile water, alcohol swabs, fentanyl test strips, naloxone, condoms and lubricant; syringe clean up in the community; daily cleaning and sanitation of areas of concentrated drug use; and sex work outreach and safer sex/sex work education; referral to other services in the community provided by both HHCLA’s CHR and external community partners.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts street outreach and frontline overdose response to overdoses as they occur in the community
• Conducts overdose reversals – a process that includes, but is not limited to, an appropriate combination of the following practices: administration of oxygen via ambu-bags and pony masks, administration of intramuscular and intranasal naloxone, mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing, monitoring of blood oxygen levels and cardiac activity, CPR, use of an AED, and activation of the Emergency Response System (911)
• Monitors clients following overdose reversals
• Transports clients to and from the agency’s CHR in agency vehicles
• Works collaboratively with, and under the guidance and instruction of, the CHR’s Client Advisory Board, who will lead and assist all OOT activities
• Works collaboratively and respectfully with co-workers at the CHR using a democratic, team- based model toward the achievement of daily tasks and the broader mission of the CHR
• Engages relationship building and establishes rapport with people who use drugs and/or are experiencing homelessness in the community
• Conduct daily site visits to areas of concentrated drug use
• Offer community members who use drugs overdose prevention and response and safer drug use/safe injection education
• Distribute harm reduction supplies to people who use drugs including syringes, cottons, cookers, tourniquets, sterile water, alcohol swabs, fentanyl test strips, naloxone, condoms and lubricant
• Develop and maintain advanced knowledge of harm reduction supplies and the appropriate uses of them
• Conduct used syringe clean-up (AKA Needle Brigade) in the community
• Conduct daily cleaning and sanitation of areas of concentrated drug use
• Conduct sex work outreach and safer sex/sex work education for people who do sex work in the community
• Track and inventories harm reduction and other program supplies
• Coordinate and execute referrals to other services in the community as appropriate - provided by both HHCLA’s CHR and external community partners.
• Coordinates referrals to community resources to best support client needs
• Participate in community events offered by both HHCLA and its community partners
• Develop relationships with representatives in other agencies to support individuals in attaining services as needed
• De-escalate situations involving escalated individuals and behave in a manner appropriate to limiting the risk of situations becoming escalated
• Attends all team meetings, case conferences, and in-service trainings.
• Maintains familiarity with policies and procedures and other applicable regulations.
• Documents all required information as required by OOT funders and local and federal governments
• Demonstrate competence and effectively apply Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Philosophy in all interactions with clients
• Coordinates, prepares, and maintains required charting and documentation in a timely and thorough manner.
• Able to serve a diverse client population and communicate effectively in a culturally competent manner
• Uphold integrity of team-based care through firm commitment to team work, emotionally intelligence, and open and respectful communication with all team members and other HHCLA staff
• Maintain solution focused, strength-based and client-centered discussion with managers, co- workers and clients of HHCLA.
• Maintains client records according to HIPAA and adheres to all client confidentiality requirements and standards.
• Participates in the overall evaluation of program services and data collection for reporting by maintaining accurate information in program participant files.
• Attends and participates in supervision, staff meetings, conferences, workshops, special projects to provide input towards program development and staff training.
• Attends and participates in all required contractual, agency, and professional development trainings
• Represents the mission and philosophy of HHCLA to the community in relevant coalitions and advocacy efforts.
• Complies and maintains familiarity with HHCLA policies and procedures and other applicable regulations required by funding sources.
• Ensures performance management standards are met through ongoing supervision addressing barriers as they arise.
• Models HHCLA approach, mission and core values in all communication, correspondence, community events, coalitions and advocacy efforts.
• Assists with maintenance and janitorial duties as required – including maintaining sanitary bathrooms and common areas, which may include cleaning and keeping areas free from bodily fluids and excrement
• Reports to work on time and maintains reliable and regular attendance
• Maintains current licensing and/or certification as required for position.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS: REQUIRED:

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, psychology, sociology or other related field; OR a minimum of four years’ experience in counseling and/or human services arena; OR lived experience with homelessness, incarceration and/or substance use

Knowledge and Skills:

• Basic knowledge of Harm Reduction Programming and Harm Reduction as a philosophy of care
• Be able to administer naloxone and conduct rescue breathing in response to a life-threatening opioid overdose (employee training provided)
• Firm commitments to: a) undoing the criminality and stigmatization associated with people who use drugs; and b) an ethical and humane engagement with people who use drugs that is consistent with the core tenets of Harm Reduction.
• Experience working with culturally diverse communities and vulnerable populations
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients, office personnel, other employees and the general public
• Ability to work in fast-paced, high energy environment
• Ability to define problems and use critical thinking skills to identify solutions
• Ability to work independently and with others – including other employees, clients and members of the public -- in face-to-face and telephonic contexts
• Ability to multi-task, establish priorities and manage time, meet deadlines and perform duties under time constraints
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing work demands
• Maintain high level of concentration and attention to detail for extended periods of time
• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or concerns
• Maintain a high level of ethical and professional standards in accordance with agency policies
• Computer literate (basic working knowledge of Microsoft WORD, Excel, and Outlook) and data/electronic records
• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License, properly registered vehicle and insurance

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• CPR/AED (provided by agency if not already certified)
• Street outreach experience with homeless community
• Strong de-escalation skills
• Overdose response/reversal experience
• Cultural fluency with Skid Row community
• Bilingual in Spanish and English
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, properly registered vehicle and insurance

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $28.21 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Commute:

• Los Angeles, CA 90013 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Los Angeles, CA 90013: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $28