Harm Reduction Specialist

Who We Are Looking For: 

Are you the Harm Reduction Specialist we have been looking for? In this position you will be able to convey your passion for helping others by working with people in the community!

JRI’s Program RISE is a multi-service program serving the Metrowest area. RISE offers free confidential HIV counseling, testing and referrals, STI and Hepatitis testing, HIV Case Management, Housing Search & Advocacy, Peer Support Services, LGBT services, Overdose Prevention and Education, Needle Exchange, community education programs on HIV, STIs, viral Hepatitis, harm reduction, and LGBTQ cultural competency. 

Salary: $40,000 - $45,000

JRI Provides The Training So That:

• YOU will conduct needle/syringe exchange according to JRI Syringe Exchange Policies and Procedures, providing clean and sterile needles to people who inject drugs. 
• YOU will conduct street-level outreach activities to people who inject drugs in areas or neighborhoods identified as high-risk or high-need within Metrowest area. 
• YOU will distribute safer sex, overdose prevention, and injection supplies to PWID. Collect used syringes for safe disposal. 
• YOU will provide post-overdose home visits and enroll clients in naloxone and other supported services. 
• YOU will provide HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis testing and counseling, including phlebotomy, through CTR (Counseling, Testing and Referral) services according to the guidelines set by CDC and MDPH and will complete appropriate documentation, charting, and laboratory shipping. 
• YOU will identify clients in need and provide appropriate referrals, including assisting clients with accessing support services such as substance use treatment, homeless shelters, syringe exchange, OD prevention and Naloxone, PrEP, treatment for HIV, HCV, and STIs, and other services as needed. 
• YOU will provide written and verbal harm reduction information on safer injection strategies, vein and abscess care, overdose prevention and HIV, STI and Hepatitis transmission to program participants and area providers. Provide appropriate referrals 
• YOU will provide training on overdose prevention and naloxone to active users, their allies and other service providers. 
• YOU will collaborate with community agencies and service providers and assist in local and state advocacy efforts to increase access to needle/syringe exchange, naloxone, and access to syringe disposal, and to identify areas where outreach may be needed. 
• YOU will develop peer educators in target populations, and support selected educators with on-going contact. 
• YOU will participate in advisory committees, external meetings, and other educator and outreach worker networking and professional development opportunities. 
• YOU will collect program and client-level data, documenting various aspects of the engagement in needle/syringe exchange, Naloxone, and testing services.  
• YOU will remain current and informed regarding issues of substance use, overdose prevention, naloxone, substance abuse programs, HIV/AIDS, STI, Viral Hepatitis, LGBTQ issues, and harm reduction options counseling, and other communicable diseases.  
• YOU will participate in all required quality assurance activities. 
• YOU will participate in daily drop-in including opening and closing procedures to help ensure facilities are clean, safe and welcoming. 
• YOU will conduct activities related to building and maintaining partnerships with local first responders and conduct community advocacy. 
• YOU will assist Overdose and Harm Reduction Manager in program development and evaluation. 

• Be who you are! JRI is strongly committed to providing an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment for our employees and the people we serve. 
• We offer a $2,000 bilingual bonus to new hires who speak a second language other than English! 
• Reimbursement is available for employees to cover the registration costs and annual fees for any professional license required for work such as LMHC, LCSW, LICSW, RN and more! 
• Access to our excellent Blue Cross medical and Delta Dental benefits. 
• Retirement benefits including 401K matched up to $800 a year and pension after 5 years of employment. 
• Professional development opportunities such as tuition reimbursement up to almost $4000 per year and discounted tuition rates to select partnership colleges and universities! 
• Wellness benefits including access to employee resource groups (including multicultural affinity groups, LGBTQ advocacy, employee engagement groups, etc.), self-care resources, and an Employee Assistance Program. 
• Generous paid time off up to 19 days for full time employees in your first year and much more! 

Requirements: 

• Must be 21 years or older.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred (significant experience may be substituted for education). 
• Two years of experience in HIV/AIDS, STI and Viral Hepatitis, or related field preferred. 
• Two years of experience counseling or health education preferred. 
• Knowledge of health promotion and HIV, STI and Viral Hepatitis prevention strategies. 
• Experience working with diverse populations and cultural sensitivity to diverse active user population, and Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ and varied cultures. 
• Knowledge and understanding of evidence-based interventions. 
• Knowledge of harm reduction, syringe services, naloxone, and opioid overdose prevention strategies. 
• Experience with or be willing to learn phlebotomy. 
• Candidates with substance use disorder and communicable diseases certificate or training are preferred. 
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply! 
• Candidates should have a valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation. 
• Background and driving record checks will be performed.  

JRI is strongly committed to providing an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment for our employees and the people we serve. Persons from diverse backgrounds including women, communities of color, the LGBTQ community and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. JRI is an equal opportunity employer. 

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Salary : $40,000 - $45,000