SEP Outreach Worker

SEP Outreach Worker

Hawai'i Health & Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC) provides harm reduction-focused services to marginalized populations in Hawai'i, including people living with and/or affected by HIV, hepatitis, substance use, homelessness, and the transgender, LGBQ, and the Native Hawaiian communities. HHHRC bridges gaps and helps individuals access essential resources such as housing, health care, entitlements, and treatment. We foster health, wellness, and systemic change in Hawai'i and the Pacific through outreach, care services, advocacy, training, prevention, education, and capacity building.

The SEP (Syringe Exchange Program) Outreach Worker is responsible for conducting outreach, overdose prevention, health education, HIV and hepatitis C counseling, testing and referral, distributing safer sex supplies, and distributing and exchanging harm reduction supplies for safer drug use with HHHRC syringe exchange and overdose prevention program participants. This position will provide a comprehensive system of services directly, and through referral, targeting people who use substances, their partners/family, and community members at high risk.

The Outreach Worker is expected to perform to the highest quality and provide appropriate, participant-centered HIV, viral hepatitis, and overdose prevention interventions and services.

This is a permanent, full-time, non-exempt, salaried position with HHHRC located in Honolulu, Hawai ʻ i. Expected hours of work are generally between 8:30am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday, with some evening and weekend attendance for required events. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Reports to:

SEP Manager

Supervises: N/A

Health Education, Testing, & Referrals:

• Provide HIV/AIDS, STD, and viral hepatitis prevention education.
• Provide overdose prevention education and naloxone distribution to program participants.
• Discuss issues about general health of people who use intravenous and non-intravenous drugs, their partners, and families.
• Share information about community resources available and successfully provide referrals (substance use treatment, medical care, social services, etc.).
• Provide HIV and hepatitis C counseling and testing.
• Share practical information on proper disposal of used syringes and paraphernalia.
• Share basic information concerning legal issues and challenges related to drug use.
• Share practical demonstrations of safe use of female condoms, male condoms, dental dams, and lubrication.

Outreach with Safer Sex & Drug Use Supplies:

• Provide syringe exchange services at mobile van sites.
• Provide street-based exchange during outreach.
• Provide individual syringe exchange appointments.
• Engage community members on empowerment processes aimed mainly to reduce risks as active drug users and active sexual partners.
• Provide syringe pick-up within the surrounding area of outreach sites.
• Perform van load and unload, restock supplies as needed.

Overdose Prevention

Education:

• Teach individuals and groups how to prevent, recognize the signs of, and respond to a drug overdose.
• Teach individuals how to use naloxone and fentanyl test strips.

Administration:

• Maintain van cleanliness and maintain service schedules.
• Fill out various forms for outreach.
• Write monthly field notes.
• Enter data in an electronic medical record (EMR).
• Participate in the development of alternative prevention strategies, after approval of direct supervisor.
• Cross-train in community health outreach and provide back up and coverage for other homeless outreach workers and community health outreach workers as needed.
• Adhere to outreach guidelines.
• Adhere to community-based outreach guidelines and safety protocols.
• Work with other HHHRC outreach workers to provide a coordinated system of care to program participants.

General Responsibilities:

• Contribute to a safe, creative, enthusiastic, and cooperative working environment for all.
• Work as a team with other staff and support team members.
• Maintain appropriate professional and ethical standards while serving as a representative of HHHRC.
• Observe and comply with all rules and regulations – such as HHHRC Code of Conduct, Drug-Free Workplace, Confidentiality – and other administrative…