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COUNSELLOR HARM REDUCTION

Job ID: 56019

  • Job Category: Community & Social Services
  • Division & Section: Toronto Shelter & Support Services, Homelessness Init & Prevention Svcs
  • Work Location: SS&HA - SEATON HOUSE, 339 George Street 
  • Job Type & Duration: Part-time, Temporary
  • Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $41.33 - $45.26 (2024 Wage)
  • Affiliation: L79 Unit B PT
  • Number of Positions Open: 5
  • Posting Period: 29-Apr-2025 to 13-May-2025
  • Location and Shift Information: Please note this position is on an as required basis. Must be available to work all shifts (days, afternoons & overnight shifts) four (4) separate days a week, of which two (2) days must include Saturdays & Sundays. Work schedules are posted six (6) weeks in advance, and hours of work will be determined based on operational needs, including call-in shift coverage.

Major Responsibilities:

  • Provides mobile harm reduction service delivery and intensive case management at various locations such as shelters, streets, parks, encampments, drop-ins and public spaces

  • Assesses client knowledge of best practices for safer drug use and provides education regarding proper drug use technique to facilitate best possible health outcomes for each client.
  • Counsels and educates clients regarding overdose prevention and management, including the use and administration of naloxone where appropriate and safety planning.
  • Distributes harm reduction supplies and provides/administers naloxone to clients where appropriate.
  • Counsels clients regarding various needs/issues such as but not limited to: mental health crisis/trauma, sexual abuse/assault, life skills, sexuality, birth control, abortion, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, grief, HIV/AIDS prevention, suicide prevention.
  • Monitors clients for signs and symptoms of overdose and initiates emergency response protocol as per emergency response policy and procedure.
  • CPR/First Aid, O2 Administration and other life saving interventions.
  • Assesses clients for drug use related complications including but not limited to skin infection and abscess and provides referral(s) as appropriate.
  • Initiates referrals to supports such as opioid substitution therapy as appropriate.
  • Assists client to identify needs and supports clients to develop and achieve health goals.
  • Provides immediate care in crisis situations. Accompanies and transports clients requiring emergency medical and/or psychiatric assessment to medical and withdrawal management centres. Provides patient/client history to the attending physician; facilitates entry to withdrawal management centres. Advocates for client to receive specialized services in presence of crisis or high acuity situation among team and within community.
  • Oversees flow and number of clients at sites and de-escalates conflict.
  • Provides counselling for HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis B/C.
  • Advocates for client to receive specialized services in presence of crisis or high acuity situation among team and within community.
  • Works collaboratively with the client and health care professionals and community stakeholders to identify and resolve health issues and facilitate integration of care.
  • Assesses need for and makes referrals to a variety of community resources.
  • Maintains client records and necessary documentation according to the policies and procedures of the Division.
  • Conducts infection control tasks in accordance with related policies and procedures.
  • Supports the organization and execution of workshops, training, community capacity building, and presentations for clients and broader community related to the harm reduction and health and wellbeing. Represents the division on assigned networks and committees. Presents and participates in professional conferences and workshops.
  • Participates in developmental and mandatory training , team meetings, inter-disciplinary community case conferences and team. Mentors, and provides orientation and training to new staff, community professionals, students, and peers.
  • Maintains standards of practice and develops professional competence through in-service and other educational means.
  • Informs the development of program policies and procedures.
  • Supports the implementation and evaluation of various Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement initiatives/processes to ensure effective delivery, continuous improvement, and enhancement of services.

 

Key Qualifications:

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

  1. Considerable experience in the provision of harm reduction, drug treatment/addiction counselling, drug use counselling, case management, opioid substitution/and or safer supply, social, health, housing, and HIV/AIDS related services.

  2. Considerable experience working with people experiencing homelessness, people who use drugs, sex workers and people with chronic health and/or mental health concerns.
  3. Considerable experience managing crises, conflict, and trauma.
  4. Experience working from an anti-oppression framework including empowering engagement with people with lived experience, Indigenous Peoples, people of diverse ethno-racial backgrounds, 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
  5. Experience with positive community engagement and capacity building.

 

You Must Also Have:

  • Ability to work flexible hours, which may include overtime, shift work, evenings, overnights, and weekends on a rotation basis.

  • Ability to work in a fast paced, flexible environment in a variety of settings and in inclement weather.
  • Ability to travel by public transit to various sites within a given shift and throughout the week.
  • Ability to accompany clients in the community to different appointments and meetings
  • Knowledge of harm reduction, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis transmission and prevention and treatment options.
  • Knowledge of drug use and harms associated with drug use.
  • Knowledge of services and supports for drug users.
  • Overdose risk and how to mitigate overdose risk.
  • Knowledge of issues related to sex work.
  • Excellent assessment and documentation skills.
  • Ability to conduct work in a non-judgemental way, using a harm reduction approach.
  • Ability to work as a member of a team.
  • Knowledge of Infection Prevention and Control guidelines

 

A Vulnerable Sector Police Reference Check will be required as a condition of employment.


For more information on Shelter Services, please visit our website at http://www.toronto.ca/housing.
A Police Reference Check program brochure is available at http://www.toronto.ca/housing/employment.htm.

 

NOTE TO INTERNAL FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME CITY OF TORONTO EMPLOYEES:

City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City's Internal Job Posting Portal.

 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

 

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.

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