Outreach Worker- Part Time (LACHP) - Public Health Foundation Enterprises, In

Los Angeles Community Health Project (CHPLA) is a program of Heluna Health. CHPLA’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing 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 Exchange Program (SEP) 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. SEP 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 SEP, clients 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 SEP is to reduce HIV and HCV infections, prevent opioid overdose, decrease risk of skin and soft tissue infections and increase access to primary care. SEP serves high risk and marginalized populations across Los Angeles and is the heart of what CHPLA represents.

The SEP Outreach Worker reports to CHPLA’s Director of Client Services and the Field Work Supervisor. This position will be responsible for engaging and developing meaningful relationships with clients, distributing safer use supplies, safer sex supplies and Naloxone, as well as provide education related to health interventions, safe syringe disposal and overdose prevention and response.  Outreach Workers are required to collect and record data, identify barriers in accessing services and refer or link clients to supportive services, including but not limited to, MAT (Medically Assisted Treatment) providers, primary medical providers, psychiatric services, Hepatitis C and HIV testing and treatment and drug treatment services.

This is a part-time  benefitted position.  Employment is provided by Heluna Health,

The pay rate for this role is $25.00 per hour

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Become well versed in syringe exchange activities and work both outreach and stationary site shifts
• Through outreach activities identify clients 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)
• Refer and link to outside service providers as appropriate
• Educate clients on services of interest and need, treatment courses and risks and health outcomes of certain behaviors
• Engage with clients to establish and maintain a safe and working relationship
• Provide consistently compassionate and kind SEP services to participants
• Connect and engage participants in SEP activities and services
• Build and maintain professional relationships with local community organizations, partnered providers, community leaders, stake holders and local authorities
• Continue to follow-up with participants to encourage engagement and ongoing participation in and commitment to the program
• Provide overdose trainings to at risk individuals
• Ensure that mobile units are adequately stocked, organized, cleaned and in good working order to maintain smooth and efficient flow of operations
• Assess and identify any barriers and shortcomings in SEP services
• Report out program and participants achievements and challenges to supervisor
• 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 enter it in to CHPLA’s database at the end of each shift
• Participate in workflow of office operations and field work preparations
• Attend all staff meetings, program meetings and trainings as required
• Responsible for receiving and stocking monthly supply items
• Responsible for monitoring supply room and informing supervisor of any shortages to be reordered
• Collaboratively work with colleagues to address daily needs and support each other both in the office and in the field
  
   

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Client Services

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience or field work serving people who use drugs, people at-risk for overdose, and/or vulnerable populations
• Understanding of substance use and harm reduction strategies along with a demonstrated passion and understanding for serving chronically homeless populations with co-occurring disorders
• Preferred: Knowledge of low threshold medications for drug treatment, basic knowledge of HIV and HCV, overdose prevention, use of Naloxone
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• A valid California driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Successfully clear background check
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• Bilingual language skills preferred: Please specify the language and your proficiency level (basic, conversational, fluent)
• Must be willing to use own vehicle to transport supplies
• Proficient computer skills with basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to work independently, prioritize workload and complete tasks in timely and efficient manner
• Dependable, receptive to change, willingness to learn and engage in effective problem-solving skills
• Ability to work effectively with clients, staff and CHPLA partners to collaboratively solve problems and reach goals
• Ability to maintain HIPAA guidelines
• Ability to maintain COVID-19 guidelines
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity addressing the needs of underserved community members from diverse communities
• Ability to engage in clear and concise communication
• ·        Commitment to overall mission of CHPLA and program goals
• ·         Comfortable providing quality and compassionate care to our clients (i.e. people who use drugs, people who inject drugs, people who engage in sex work, people without stable housing, low or no-income and LGBTQ, have moderate to severe mental health needs, etc.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand                                       Frequently

Walk                                        Frequently

Sit                                            Frequently

Handling / Fingering               Occasionally

Reach Outward                       Occasionally

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