Harm Reduction Specialist

Harm Reduction Specialist

Since 1985, Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless has dedicated its mission exclusively to providing services to people experiencing homelessness. AHCH provides a distinctive continuum of integrated care through outreach and site-based services to address the health-related causes and consequences of homelessness. Our vision is to live in a world that is just and without homelessness. We believe that homelessness is an issue that can be solved through access to quality health care, adequate and affordable housing, and a living wage.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participates in daytime and evening community outreach, on site and in the community.
• Drives, loads, and unloads passenger vans.
• Provides prevention education and materials as well as appropriate referrals for housing, food, shelter, substance use treatment, social services, and medical or dental care.
• Conducts syringe exchange utilizing harm reduction methodology.
• Administers and dispenses Narcan with appropriate training.
• Assists Program Coordinator in compiling monthly statistical reports to funders.
• Works to develop relationships with substance use programs, provide referrals to substance use treatment facilities, and follow up on those referrals when appropriate.
• Supports risk reduction by assessing contributing behavioral risks, including substance use and mental health issues.
• Attends AHCH meetings and other meetings as required by funding sources.
• Provides accurate and timely documentation, while maintaining legal and ethical requirements regarding participants’ confidentiality.
• Maintains contact and follows up with other community agencies regarding this program.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Willing to be certified as HIV/AIDS instructor and certified in syringe exchange.
• Willing to learn and promote harm reduction methodology.
• Must have a valid NM driver’s license.
• Knowledgeable and experienced in working with, and relating, to a diverse and multi-cultural participant base.
• Ability to speak to volunteers and the community about the societal benefits of harm reduction activities.
• Must be able to work within a trauma-informed culture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services related field, or two years of human services related post high school education.
• Experienced and certified in syringe exchange.
• Previous work with homeless, chemically dependent, HIV/STD/hepatitis positive or at-risk persons.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Familiar with local substance use programs.
• Familiar with harm reduction methodology.

Benefits

• Low cost medical, vision, and dental insurance with health club membership
• Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment fully paid for by organization
• Long Term Disability fully paid for by organization
• Paid Time Off - 24 days in first year of employment
• Catastrophic Sick Time accrual
• 7 Paid holidays
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401k with employer match
• Student loan forgiveness eligible

About the Role

This organization participates in E-Verify. It is an equal opportunity employer.