Tapestry
1985 Main Street Suite 202
Springfield, MA 01103
Company Description: Health Care |
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Salary Range: | Location: |
Per Year | NORTHAMPTON
MA
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Job Type: | Category: |
Full Time | Healthcare Office |
Education Level: | Work Experience: |
High School or Equivalent
Preference: Required | Up to One Year
Preference: Required |
Skills/Certifications/Licences: |
Knowledge of Harm Reduction principles and practices - Preference: Required
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Description: | Harm Reduction Counselor 40 hours per week Northampton, MA
Under the direction of the Syringe Access Program Manager, the Harm Reduction Counselor will be responsible for working as part of a team to provide outreach and education to injection drug users (28 hours per week) and LBGTQAI+ individuals (12 hours per week) in regards to HIV prevention. Primacy duties will include: developing effective goals and strategies to identify, access, educate and support injection drug users, MSM and LGBTQAI+ individuals in reducing their risk for HIV infection and transmission. |
Requirements: | Minimum Required Qualifications:
• High school graduate or equivalent
• Valid Massachusetts Driver's License and Access to Reliable Transportation
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and Harm Reduction principles and practices
• Experience with substance use disorder
• Experience and ability to work with diverse communities across Western Mass.
• Awareness and involvement with LGBTGAI+ culture.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to be trained in blood draws
• Ability to provide high quality non-judgmental services
• Strong written and oral communication skill
Experience with social media, dating apps and other online recruitment methods preferred. Blood draws and Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred
Primary Responsibilitiesand Duties:
• Conduct Needle/Syringe exchange according to THS Syringe Exchange Policies and Procedures.
• Identify and access injection drug using population, MSM and LGBTQIA+ individuals through innovative outreach efforts.
• Assess the education and prevention needs of IDUs, MSM and LGBTQIA+ individuals and their sexual partners.
• Maintain cooperative relationships key leaders that include community leaders, agency staff, external agencies, business owners and other within the community.
• Identify clients in need of services and make appropriate referrals.
• Engage in one-to-one interactions, aimed at education and prevention, and referral to health services, PrEP and other needed referrals.
• Develop peer educators in target populations, and support selected educators with on going contact.
• Conduct presentations in various community sites, such asbars, clubs, and other gathering sites of targeted population.
• Conduct HIV/STI screening that includes obtaining blood and urine samples, completion of submission of documentation, charting, and laboratory shipping.
• Participate in advisory committees, external meetings, and other educator and outreach worker networking and professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned. |
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