Peer Support Worker (LACHP) - Public Health Foundation Enterprises, In

SUMMARY

Los Angeles Community Health Project (CHPLA) is a program of Heluna Health. CHPLA’s mission is to improve the health and well being of people affected by substance use in Los Angeles, to increase access to health care, empower people to protect themselves, and educate each other to reduce harm in our communities. CHPLA combines direct services, advocacy, outreach, education, and research collaborations to fulfill this mission. Community Health Project Los Angeles was founded in 1992. 

The Syringe Service Program (SSP) provides harm reduction interventions focusing on disease and overdose prevention. This includes syringe and Naloxone access, safer use supplies, safer sex supplies, syringe disposal, naloxone and overdose education and linkage to care. SSP delivers services through outreach and stationary syringe sites within Los Angeles County including Hollywood, Northeast Los Angeles, Pico Union, Skid Row, and South Los Angeles. Through CHPLA’s SSP, participants are provided with risk reduction supplies and education to address overdose and reduce sharing of contaminated injection equipment, including Naloxone, safer injection supplies and condoms. The ultimate goal of the SSP is to reduce HIV and HCV infections, prevent opioid overdose, decrease risk of skin and soft tissue infections and increase access to primary care. SSP serves high risk and marginalized populations across Los Angeles and is the heart of what CHPLA represents. 

The Peer Support Worker will report to CHPLA’s Director of Client Services. This position will be responsible for engaging and developing meaningful relationships with participants, distributing safer use supplies, safer sex supplies and Naloxone, as well provide education related to health interventions, safe syringe disposal and overdose prevention and response.

There are three openings for this position:

·       One (1) part-time benefited position (20 hours per week)

·       Two (2) part-time non-benefited positions (10 hours per week)

Pay rate:  $23.00 per hour

If hired for this position, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to your start date, or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying you for an exemption (that may or may not require accommodation).

Employment is provided by Heluna Health.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Become familiar with syringe services and safer use practices both on outreach and stationary site shifts
• Become familiar with office operations and grow to understand workflow and daily operations
• Engage with participants to establish and maintain a safe working relationship
• Through outreach activities and participant office visits, become familiar with participants and offer positive conversations
• Through outreach activities and participant office visits, identify participants who are interested and would benefit from linkage to supportive health services
• Assess client needs and provide additional referrals/resources/guidance as needed (i.e., substance use treatment, shelters, mental health or medical care)
• With a nonjudgmental and compassionate tone, offer education around available health resources and refer to CHPLA Health Navigators for continued care and linkage to services
• Connect and engage participants in SSP activities and services
• Continue to follow-up with participants to encourage engagement and ongoing participation in SSP or other programs
• Provide overdose trainings and naloxone to at-risk individuals and those that care for them
• Participate in office activities including assembling outreach kits for distribution, cleaning duties, and assisting in putting received orders away
• Participate in workflow of office operations and outreach preparation
• Ensure that mobile units are adequately stocked, organized, cleaned, and in good working order to maintain smooth and efficient flow of operations
• Distribute safer drug use supplies, safer use sex supplies, overdose prevention kits, and all other available essential health and living items to participants
• Respectfully and professionally collect data in the field at each encounter, document it consistently and in line with CHPLA’s protocols
• Attend all staff meetings, program meetings, and trainings as required
• Collaboratively and positively work with colleagues to address daily needs and support each other both in the office and during outreach
• Maintain professional boundaries and positive tone with all involved parties including fellow staff, participants, community members, supervisors and legal authorities
• Complete all tasks outlined by supervisor in timely and professional manner
• Regularly attend Los Angeles County Harm Reduction Steering Committee meetings as requested by Director of Client Services

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

·       Other duties as assigned by the Director of Client Services

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Understanding of substance use and harm reduction strategies along with a demonstrated passion and understanding for serving chronically unhoused populations with co-occurring disorders.
• Experience with homeless services, drug treatment services or LA County social services.

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• Background check required
• A valid California driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

Relevant Work and Lived Experience

• Similar lived experienced of the people CHPLA provides services for
• Lived experience in one or more of the communities of focus: people experiencing homelessness, people coming out of incarceration, people who use drugs.
• Member of the community, close affiliation, or shared life experience with the community being served.
• Ability to work appropriately and effectively within a variety of communities with varying populations.
• Potential or demonstrated community leadership.
• Experience working with medically and socially complex individuals.

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• If you know another language, please include this in the application and at what proficiency level (basic, conversational, very good but not bilingual, 1^st language).
• Dependable, receptive to change, willingness to learn, able to receive feedback, and engage the community in a kind and positive way
• The ability to work effectively and positively with participants, staff, and CHPLA partners as a team to collaboratively solve problems and reach goals
• Eager to be a part of a compassionate team that supports each other and CHPLA’s diversity including race, gender, sexual orientation/sexuality, neurodiversity, age etc.
• Demonstrate sensitivity when addressing the needs of underserved community members from diverse communities
• Comfortable providing quality and compassionate care to the people we serve: such as people who use drugs, people who inject drugs, people who engage in sex work, people without stable housing, people with low or no-income, LGBTQ+ communities, justice-impacted individuals, and/or have moderate to severe mental health and medical needs.
• Commitment to overall mission of CHPLA and program goals.
• Ability to maintain HIPAA guidelines
• Ability to maintain COVID-19 guidelines

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Walk                                 Frequently

Sit                                     Frequently

Handling / Fingering           Frequently

Reach Outward                 Frequently

Reach Above Shoulder      Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally

Lift / Carry                        Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

Push/Pull                           Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

See                                   Constantly

Taste/ Smell                      Not Applicable