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.

Summary of position

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, Hawaiʻi. 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.

Reporting relationship

Reports to: SEP Manager

Supervises: N/A

Essential duties & responsibilities

Health Education, Testing, & Referrals

Outreach with Safer Sex & Drug Use Supplies

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

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 policies of HHHRC.
• Abide by all policies and procedures of the HHHRC Health & Safety Program and the Quality Management Program.
• Comply with HHHRC confidentiality policy, HIPAA requirements, cultural competencies, and rights to persons served, as well as CARF standards.
• Demonstrate steadfast understanding of, and commitment to, the Mission, Vision, and Values of HHHRC.

Working conditions/Physical demands

Required qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.).
• Good interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to write case file notes in format as directed.
• Strong crisis intervention and de-escalation skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload and daily activities and complete tasks in an efficient manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, clients, and outside contacts from a wide variety of ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to read and interpret general business correspondence, policies and procedures, referral information, financial documentation, and applicable government regulations.
• Dependable, able to work under pressure, receptive to change, and willing to learn.
• Non-judgmental attitude and ability to respect the knowledge, actions, and feelings of others.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively, both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work well and thrive professionally in an atmosphere of significant diversity, working with marginalized populations.

Education/Experience

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent working knowledge.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in Social Work (or comparable degree).
• Relevant life experience and/or experience in street-based outreach and harm reduction.
• Training in substance use, harm reduction, and dual diagnosis.
• Extensive knowledge of greater Honolulu area.

Required work cards/Certifications

Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.