Harm Reduction Outreach Worker Bilingual - Spanish

ABOUT RITTER CENTER:

For over 40 years, Ritter Center has been dedicated to preventing and resolving homelessness and improving the health, dignity, and well-being of people living in poverty in Marin.

When you join Ritter Center, you join a highly trained staff that combines national clinical best practices with a whole-person care approach to solving each person’s medical and mental health, housing, and food needs.

We are growing to meet the needs of our community. We are looking for staff who are ready for a career with a mission-driven organization, want to be valued, have diverse experience, and have compassion. If this sounds like you, we would love to have you join us!

All positions at Ritter Center require a background check and Livescan fingerprinting.

CURRENT OPENING:

Bilingual (Spanish) Harm Reduction Outreach Worker

Full Time, Non-Exempt

$31.20 Per Hour 6% Bilingual Differential

Please visit our jobs page on our website for a complete list of our employee benefits.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Under the direct supervision of the Substance Use Care Coordinator, the Harm Reduction Outreach Worker will be accountable for assisting and supporting with the provision of harm reduction services. The Harm Reduction Outreach Worker will deliver high quality, harm reduction focused prevention and screening services to populations at risk for HIV, STDs and Hepatitis C. The position also assists with the creation and distribution of harm reduction supplies and other relevant resources as well as providing information and appropriate supports to clients accessing the harm reduction program.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Help to create and distribute harm reduction supplies (such as safer injection and inhalation supplies, naloxone kits, and condoms and lubes) to clients and encourage safer disposal of drug use equipment.
• Track and record supplies distributed and collected.
• Assist with stocking, organizing harm reduction inventory, risk reduction and other relevant program supplies.
• Facilitate HIV/STI/Hepatitis prevention education, risk assessment, HIV/STI/VHP screening, linkage to care and treatment.
• Provide clients with support, information and referrals to harm reduction, overdose prevention, health, community, and drug treatment services (as appropriate) within and outside Ritter Center.
• Attend meetings, conferences, and trainings to expand knowledge of HIV/STI/Hep C, harm reduction, and other co-morbid conditions and related issues and be current on new developments as required by supervisors.
• Establish rapport with the unhoused and substance-using population, creating an environment in which they can communicate their needs in a safe way.
• Maintain strong boundaries and confidentiality of all client-identifying information.
• Perform other related work duties as needed or as required by supervisor or designee.

Qualifications:

• Per our Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) requirements, employment at Ritter Center requires compliance with being able to produce a negative TB test prior to the start of employment, as well as being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (unless applying for an exemption) per the August 5th State Public Order for Healthcare Facilities, providers, and employees
• Ability to speak, read and write in professional English and Spanish required.
• High school degree or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of addiction and harm reduction principles.
• Knowledge of HCV/HIV/pathogens and infectious diseases.
• Work experience with a harm reduction and/or relevant community-based front-line program; values aligned with a harm reduction approach to service delivery.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively listen and offer solutions without passing judgment.
• Ability to work from a sex-positive, trauma-informed, anti-discrimination, and anti-oppressive approach.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and confidence in asserting and maintaining strong boundaries.
• Ability to listen actively and accurately, be open to feedback, and demonstrate a display of sensitivity to others.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Lived experience with drug use, homelessness, or street involvement is a considerable asset.

Employment Practices:
Ritter Center is an Equal Opportunity institution and does not discriminate against any person in employment or in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs and benefits on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.