Harm Reduction

Internal and External Concurrent Posting
**HARM REDUCTION HOUSING WORKER**

**Position**:Harm Reduction Housing Worker - _(unionized position under NSGEU Local 102) _
**Reports to**:Manager of Supported Housing
**Location: Overlook**
**Pay Scale**:$23.13 per hour + benefits***
**Work term**:1 year term with the possibility of extension; 24 hr/7 day operation including evenings and week
- ends.
**Hours**: 1.0 FTE, **37.5 hrs/week hours per week: overnight shift**
**Deadline**: February 28, 2023

To ensure our organization represents the diverse people and communities we serve, **this posting is designated** for
people with lived experiences connected to homelessness, substance use, and/or criminalization. Please share what
experiences shared will remain confidential.

**About NECHC**
The North End Community Health Centre (NECHC) was established in 1971 in response to an absence of primary
health care and other health services in Halifax’s North End. Located on Gottingen Street, we are in the heart of a
unique and culturally diverse community. Today, governed by the North End Community Health Association, the
NECHC is viewed by area residents as a “beacon of hope” in the community. Much more than a Primary Care Clinic,
the NECHC has expanded in response to unmet needs of community members and is highly-valued by its patients
and clients and their families. NECHC provides services to those living on the margins of society, through MOSH,
Housing First and a wide range of community outreach initiatives.

**Vision**
Strong community - healthy people.

**Mission**
We support health and well-being in our community through quality primary health care, education and advocacy in
an environment in which people are treated with respect and dignity and there is equitable access to services and
programs.

**Values**
Respect. Community. Compassion. Excellence. Innovation.

**Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment**
The North End Community Health Centre is committed to being an inclusive organization. We are working to ensure
- our organization represents the diverse people and communities we serve. Our position postings encourage
- members from the following communities to apply:
- 2SLGBTQIA++
- African Nova Scotian and/or people of African Descent
- Indigenous
- People with disabilities
- Language minorities
- People of Colour and/or racially visible minorities
- Immigrant and refugee
- Connected to the North End of Halifax
- Persons with lived experience

**Job Purpose**
Harm Reduction Housing Workers are accountable for delivering harm reduction programs and services to
tenants/participants to support their health and well-being as well as their tenancies as residents of the Overlook,
including:
Delivering ‘on-demand’ harm reduction supports and programs following a ‘housing first’ philosophy as part
of a collaborative team

Following prescribed policies and procedures associated with the housing program

Supporting participants through a person-centred approach

Attending to overdoses and administering naloxone

Harm Reduction Housing Workers work with an interdisciplinary team to support participants of the Overlook - a
place-based harm reduction, peer supported housing program. Tenants at the Overlook experience social and
physical harms associated with chronic alcohol use, problematic drug use, chronic health conditions and lengthy
homelessness. The team provides ‘on-demand’ 24/7 harm reduction to tenants, as well as various housing supports
around life skills and social inclusion to ensure participants effectively manage their tenancy.

**Position Responsibilities**
The following duties reflect the broad scope of responsibilities but are not necessarily all-inclusive.
This position will require flexibility, time management, strong communication, and good boundaries to achieve the
following responsibilities:
Supporting participants to develop individualized harm reduction plans to ensure their overall health and
well-being

Monitoring participants health and substance use and determining when to provide additional harm
reduction supports

Delivering ‘on-demand’ harm reduction supplies and supports to participants in their home or in the building

Recognizing, analyzing and responding to potential emergency situations, including overdoses

Supporting participant inclusion within the Overlook community, and the community at-large

Providing support for a wide variety of on-site and off-site meetings and activities, based on the individual
preferences and goals

Supporting participants with move-in and move-out processes to ensure smooth transitions

Encouraging tenant participation is decision-making regarding housing and support

Supporting participants to enhance/develop life skills such as meal preparation, housekeeping, personal
care and personal self
- management

Collaborating with community organizations

Communicating and collaborating with the multidisciplinary team at the Overlook (